How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Really Need??

Crafting the perfect photography timeline for your most unforgettable day

Weddings are not measured in hours, they’re measured in glances, laughter, and the quiet beauty of moments you never want to forget. As a fine-art wedding photographer, I’ve come to realize that one of the most important decisions couples face isn’t just who captures their day, but how much time they give their photographer to tell the story fully.

So how many hours of photography coverage do you actually need for your wedding? The answer, as with most things that matter, lies in the details.

Beautiful Captured by Armind Madrid at the SeaFair Mega Yatch Miami, Florida.

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1. Start With the Story You Want to Tell

Every wedding has a rhythm, from the serene quiet of getting ready to the emotional crescendo of the ceremony, and the joyful, unfiltered celebration that follows. The number of hours you book should reflect the story you want preserved.

• 6 hours of coverage is typically ideal for intimate weddings or for couples who prefer to begin documentation at the ceremony rather than during the getting-ready moments.

• 8 hours often captures the essence, from final touches before the ceremony to the first dances, speeches and part of the party.

• 10 hours gives you room to breathe: full getting-ready moments, details, multiple locations, and a more complete reception.

• 12 hours allows for a true editorial experience, from early morning preparations to late-night memories, with no rush and no compromise.

Think of it not just as time, but as space: space for memories to unfold, for emotions to breathe, for your legacy to be captured with depth.

2. Consider the Logistics of Your Day

Your timeline shapes everything. Are you getting ready in one location or two? Do you have a church ceremony, a venue change, or a long guest commute? Each transition adds beauty, but also time.

I always advise my couples: if you have multiple locations or a wedding that begins early and ends late, opt for 10 to 12 hours. You won’t regret having every piece of the puzzle documented with elegance and care.

Captured by Armind Madrid at Briza on the Bay Miami, Fl.

3. Aesthetic Moments Take Time to Create

Fine-art wedding photography is not rushed. It’s intentional, curated, and emotional. Creating timeless imagery means allowing time for golden light, intimate portraits, and meaningful moments in between the big ones.

When time is short, what often gets lost are the quiet, poetic frames, the ones that feel like stills from a film. The ones that last.

4. My Personal Approach as Armind Madrid

With over 800 weddings captured, I’ve learned to listen not just to timelines, but to people. My goal isn’t to clock hours, it’s to create something you’ll treasure for a lifetime. That’s why I offer three collections:

• Wedding Timeless (6 Hours)

• Wedding Timeless (8 Hours)

• Wedding Signature (10 Hours)

• Wedding Prestige (12 Hours)

  
  

Each one is designed to serve a different rhythm, a different vision — but all share the same devotion to artistry, elegance, and emotional storytelling.

5. Final Thought: Time is the Canvas

Your wedding day is fleeting. But photography is what makes it eternal.When deciding how many hours you need, ask yourself: What do I want to remember?And then give yourself the time to capture it — fully, beautifully, forever.

Planning a wedding in Miami or a destination beyond? I’d be honored to walk through your timeline with you and recommend the perfect coverage for your story. Reach out here to begin.