Finding the perfect photographer for your wedding sets the stage for capturing the very best memories of your special day. Once you’ve found a professional photographer to entrust with this, the next step to consider is how to choose a wedding photography package. With various photography collections available, each offering unique features and coverage, it can be challenging to decide which one would be the best fit for you. Understanding the differences between these packages and how they align with your vision for the wedding day can make this decision easier and ensure you have the ideal photography coverage to preserve your wedding memories for years.

In this blog I will outline what the differences are between photography packages, and how to navigate the decision-making process, so that you can find the wedding photography collection that resonates with your wedding style and preferences.

* Please note that throughout this blog I will use collections and packages interchangeably, however they both represent the same thing.

What do wedding photography packages include & how do they differ?

Wedding photography collections typically vary in several key aspects that can influence your choice. Firstly, the number of hours of coverage offered can range from full-day packages capturing every moment to part-day packages focusing on specific segments of the event.

The deliverables included also differ among packages, with some offering digital files, while others may include prints or a beautifully crafted wedding album.

Additionally, the number of photographers provided can vary, with some packages offering a single photographer to capture the main events, while others may include two or multiple photographers for coverage from different angles.

To help you decide which options are best suited to you, I have broken down these factors to help you consider them in more detail.

1. Budget for Wedding Photography

Your budget is the first thing to consider when choosing a wedding photography package. Having a clear budget in mind helps you find a package that aligns with your finances without compromising the caliber of service or the desired deliverables. By comparing different packages, understanding what each offers, and assessing the overall value for the cost, you can ensure that you invest wisely while staying comfortably within your financial means.

2. Full Day vs. Part Day Wedding Photography Coverage

A typical wedding day is divided into segments which include (although not necessarily in this order):

• Getting ready moments
• First look
• Wedding Ceremony
• Group or formal portraits
• Drinks reception
• Couples portraits
• Wedding meal and speeches
• First dance
• Evening reception

A full day of photography coverage would typically include documentation of all of these parts of the wedding day and everything that happens in between.
Part-day coverage is usually limited to a specific number of hours of wedding photography, covering a selection of these events throughout the day. This coverage is generally carried out in one continuous block of photography, e.g., the getting ready photos through to the couple pictures or the ceremony through to the speeches, rather than as split coverage, e.g., the ceremony and then the evening reception, with a break in between.

What are the advantages of full-day photography coverage:

• Comprehensive Storytelling: Full-day coverage allows the photographer to capture the entire visual story of your wedding day, from the early groom and bridal preparations to the late-night celebrations, ensuring no special moment is missed.
• Increased deliverables: The more hours of photography coverage you have, the more images you will receive because there is generally more content for your photographer to capture. For example, for every hour that I photograph at a wedding, I produce around 100 edited images. So, for a full day of photography, at around 10 hours, I would expect to deliver around 1000 digital images to my clients.
• Emotional Depth: The extended coverage enables photographers to document a wider range of emotions and candid interactions throughout the day, offering a well-rounded representation of your wedding celebrations.
• Flexibility: With full-day coverage, there’s flexibility in timing, allowing spontaneous moments to be captured without the constraints of a limited schedule. Furthermore, there’s time to adapt the timeline should the itinerary have to change due to adverse weather or last-minute changes.

What are the disadvantages of full-day photography coverage:

• Cost: Full-day coverage typically has a higher price point due to the extended hours of service and the additional editing required for a larger volume of photos.

What are the advantages of part-day photography coverage:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Part-day coverage is usually more budget-friendly than full-day photo packages, making it an attractive option for couples looking to optimize their wedding expenses.
• Focused Coverage for Smaller Weddings: If you are eloping or having a micro wedding, a few hours of coverage will likely be sufficient as you can tailor the photography schedule to prioritize key moments like the ceremony and portraits, ensuring your key moments are preserved.

What are the disadvantages of part-day photography coverage:

• Limited Coverage: Opting for part-day coverage may result in your photographer missing out on some of the candid moments or any specific details that occur outside the designated time frame. This might include events such as the speeches or the first dance, potentially impacting the overall storytelling of the day.
• Missed Opportunities: Similar to the above, and depending on the timings you have chosen for your coverage, your photographer may be unable to capture moments or emotions that unfold during other parts of the day, therefore limiting the diversity of images.

3. One photographer vs two (or more) photographers

You may ask yourself, ‘Do we need a second photographer to capture our wedding day, or is one photographer enough?’. With this in mind, the next thing you will want to consider is whether you want more than one photographer to be there on your big day.

When choosing between having one main photographer or adding a second shooter to capture your wedding, there are some important considerations to remember. Opting for one photographer can offer a more personalized and consistent approach throughout the day. However, having a second photographer allows for capturing different angles and gives you a broader coverage of moments.

For couples hosting a larger wedding with over 100 guests, it’s generally best to have a second photographer as part of your package. There will be many more interactions and, as such, more content to capture. Further to this, having a second shooter becomes essential if you and your partner are getting ready in separate locations but still wish to have both moments documented simultaneously.

What are the advantages of having one photographer capture your wedding day?

• Consistency: Maintains a consistent style and approach throughout the day’s coverage.
• Personalization: Offers a more intimate and personalized experience between the photographer and the couple.
• Cost-Effective: Having one photographer is usually more budget-friendly compared to two photographers.

What are the disadvantages of having one photographer capture your wedding day?

• Limited Coverage: If you opt for just one photographer on the wedding day, they might miss simultaneous moments happening in different locations (e.g., the bridal preparation stage & the groomsmen getting ready).
• Restricted Perspectives: One photographer cannot capture scenes from multiple angles simultaneously.

What are the advantages of having a second photographer at your wedding?

• Comprehensive Coverage: Having 2 or more photographers capture your wedding ensures that a broader range of moments and details are captured.
• Multiple Perspectives: Offers diverse viewpoints and angles of the same events (e.g., one photographer can capture the ceremony from the front and the other from the back of the aisle).
• Simultaneous Events: Ideal for documenting events happening simultaneously in different locations.

What are the disadvantages of having a second photographer at your wedding?

• Coordination: Requires good communication and coordination between the photographers.
• Additional Cost: Hiring two photographers can be more expensive than having just one.

Digital image files only vs A Wedding Album

What are digital wedding images?

Digital image files are electronic visual copies of your wedding photos that many wedding photographers deliver to their clients. These files can be easily shared, viewed via an online gallery, and printed. They serve as a digital archive of your special day. When selecting your wedding photography collection, it’s essential to clarify what type of digital files will be included in your package and whether you’ll have the rights to reproduce and distribute the images.

Questions to ask your photographer about the delivery of images:

In what format will my digital images be delivered?

Your digital files will likely be delivered as JPEGs, which are compressed files that allow for easy viewing and storage. Although, it’s always best to confirm this with your specific photographer.

What size will my digital images be?

I always give my clients a copy of each image in full resolution and web size. This allows you to print quality detailed photographs and share them easily online on social media, etc.

How can I access my digital image files?

I deliver my galleries via an online (password-protected) gallery where the images can be downloaded individually or as a whole. However, some photographers will deliver your files on a USB stick. Knowing which medium your photographer uses is important, as not everybody can access a USB port these days. The great thing about online delivery is that you can access your wedding images on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, giving you the most flexibility.

Will my digital images come with a print release?

A print release lets you print your digital wedding photos for personal use, including making your own album and creating wall art. It’s essential to know if your photography collection includes a print release, as it outlines your rights to print and share the images without copyright issues or limitations.

What is a wedding album?

A wedding album is a bespoke visual photo book that holds the most precious memories of your wedding day. It’s a tangible storybook filled with the best photographs that illustrate your ceremony and reception’s special moments, emotions, and details. This album allows you to revisit and cherish those memories for years, sharing them with family and friends.

Questions to ask your photographer about the wedding album included in your photography package?

Album Options:

What types of wedding albums do you offer, and are there different styles or sizes to choose from?

Customization:

Can the wedding album be customized to reflect our personal style and preferences?

Paper Quality:

What kind of paper is used? Can we select different paper options for our album?

Cover Material:

What materials are available for the cover of the album, and can we personalize it with our names and wedding date?

Layout Design:

How much input can we have in the album’s layout and design, and can we request changes if needed?

Number of Pages:

How many pages are typically included in a standard wedding album, and can we add extra pages to include more photos? If so, what is the additional cost?

Printing Process:

What printing process is used for the album?

Proofing Process:

Will we be able to review and approve the album design before it goes to print?

Timeline:

What is the estimated timeline for receiving the finished wedding album after we make our selections?

Additional Costs:

Are there any additional services or fees associated with upgrading the album or adding special features, and what is included in the base price of the album package?

Engagement Session/Pre-Wedding Shoot

An Engagement Session or Pre-Wedding Shoot is a photoshoot that takes place before your wedding day. During this photo shoot, you and your partner have the opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera, capture some beautiful moments together, and create stunning images that reflect your love story. Depending on your chosen photography collection, a pre-wedding photo session may or may not be included. However, many photographers offer it as part of their packages or as an add-on option.

What are the benefits of engagement shoots:

Build Rapport:

An engagement photo session allows you to build a rapport with your photographer before the big day, making you more relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.

Practice Poses:

During the photo session, you can practice poses and learn how to interact naturally with each other, resulting in more authentic and intimate photos on your wedding day.

Get to Know Your Photographer:

This extra time with your photographer gives you the opportunity to get to know your photographer’s style and working methods, ensuring your vision is aligned.

Use of Images:

The engagement photos from the session can be used for save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, or displayed at the wedding venue.

Memorable Experience:

A pre-wedding session is a fun and unforgettable experience where you can celebrate your engagement, honor your upcoming wedding, and create lasting memories together in a relaxed setting.

Read more about deciding on whether to have an engagement shoot on my blog:

What to Expect from an Engagement Photo Session

Conclusion

To summarise, selecting the right wedding photography package involves carefully considering many key factors to determine which collection best suits your needs. When it comes to the different photography packages offered by your photographer, the most important things are how they differ in terms of coverage, the number of photographers, the inclusion of digital images or a wedding album, and whether an engagement session can help you make an informed choice. It’s also very important to determine your budget when finding the perfect package. You should be looking for a collection that offers everything you want without exceeding financial limitations. I hope that helps!

Would you like to take a look at my photography collections?

Do not hesitate to get in touch for a fully inclusive quote!

About Me

Hello, I’m Victoria Amrose, and I’m a destination wedding photographer covering elopements, weddings, and events all across Europe. I have a warm, timeless style with an editorial edge. Click if you would like to know more about my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES or CONTACT ME for more information.

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