How Many Hours Should You Book Your Elopement Photographer?

Are you sitting there wondering how many hours should you book your elopement photographer? Maybe you’ve reached out to a couple different photographers and got overwhelmed by the different options. Or maybe you’re just getting started and researching what you need before you reach out to an elopement photographer. Either way, this blog will help you navigate your way through the different package options to help you make the right decision for your elopement vision!

Understanding Your Elopement Vision

Before diving into how many hours of elopement photography coverage you’ll need, it’s essential to identify your elopement vision. Consider the following aspects:

1. Location: Are you exchanging vows in a single location or exploring multiple spots throughout the day?
2. Activities: Do you have specific activities planned, such as hiking, canoeing, or dinner with friends and family?
3. Guest Involvement: Will you be hosting and celebrating with friends and family afterwards? Will you be taking the rest of the day solo after the ceremony?
4. Timeline: How much time do you want to allocate for getting ready, ceremony, activities, and the celebration? How important is it to you to have each part of the day captured?
   

Once you know the answers to the above, it’ll be easier to narrow down the options! Below there are three different options for how long you can hire an elopement photographer. Each elopement photographer will have different packages and variations, but the idea is that you will have a small, middle, and large package to choose from. This guide was designed to help you determine which one will best fit your elopement vision. If you need a bit more help, feel free to reach out and we can help come up with a package for your elopement vision!

The Shortest Package

This smaller package (typically 4 hours or less) is ideal for couples with a simple and shorter elopement vision. This package offers ample time to capture the key moments with a quick activity.

This package might be the right fit, if you’re…

• Getting ready ahead of time and don’t want detail or getting ready photos
• Planning a low-key, quick ceremony with minimal guests
• Planning one quick activity like a brewery stop, dinner at a nearby restaurant or food hall, or heading to a rooftop bar with friends and family
• Spending most of your time at one location and/or have minimal travel between locations

Here’s how you can spend each hour:

• Hour 1: Ceremony & Family Portraits
• Hour 2: Couple portraits
• Hour 3-4: Quick adventure or activity

The Middle Package

The middle package (typically between 6 and 8 hours) is the most popular choice for many eloping couples. It provides a balance between comprehensive coverage and value.

This package might be the right fit, if you’re…

• Wanting detail and getting ready coverage
• Exploring various locations and need time to get from Point A to Point B
• Planning a day full of activities like a boat adventure, multiple different breweries, or exploring a city
• Including your friends and family in those adventures

Here’s how you can spend each hour:

• Hour 1: Details, getting ready and pre-ceremony activities
• Hour 2: Ceremony and family portraits
• Hour 3: Couple Portraits
• Hour 4-5: First activity stop including travel time
• Hour 6-8: Second activity stop including travel time

The Longest Package

For couples seeking an extensive documentation of their elopement day, the longest package (typically 12 hours or multi-day) offers comprehensive coverage.

This package might be the right fit, if you’re…

• Planning a day full of different activities such as a boat adventure and brewery hopping afterwards
• Wanting a multi-day adventure (one day with friends and family and the next for just the two of you or vise versa)
• Wanting to visit two locations that are significantly distanced from each other
• Planning sunrise and sunset activities
• Embarking on an all-day adventure, such as a hike to a scenic mountaintop or exploring a national park, this package captures the entire journey.
• Wanting a detailed narrative of your elopement day, from the quiet morning to the sunset

Here’s how you can spend each hour:

• Hours 1-2: Getting ready and pre-ceremony activities
• Hours 3-4: Ceremony and post-ceremony portraits
• Hours 5-7: Post-ceremony portraits and location exploration, allowing ample time for visiting multiple scenic spots and capturing candid moments
• Hours 8-10: First activity stop including travel time
• Hours 11-12: Second activity stop including travel time

What’s next?

Selecting the right elopement photography package is crucial to ensure your vision is captured just as you imagined. By understanding your elopement vision, considering the activities, guest involvement, and timeline, you can make an informed decision on how to pick the perfect number of hours.

Now that you know how many hours should you book your elopement photographer, it’s time to find the right elopement photographer for your vision. Imagine having an elopement photographer by your side that will help guide you through the entire process from the minute you inquire to final gallery delivery and everything in between. If this blog was helpful, then I would love for you to see if we vibe! Reach out and learn about our different elopement packages!