6 vs 8 Hours of Wedding Photography
6 vs 8 Hours of Wedding Photography
How Much Coverage Does Your Wedding DayReally Need?
Not every wedding needs 10 hours. And not every couple wants it.
Some weddings are more intimate. More intentional. More streamlined.
Which is why one of the most common planning questions becomes:
Should we choose 6 or 8 hours for a wedding photographer?
If you’re getting married at one of the many Chippewa Falls wedding venues, considering wedding venues in Chippewa Falls, WI, or exploring smaller wedding venues near Eau Claire, WI, or wedding venues around Duluth, MN, this decision can shape how your wedding day flows and how relaxed it feels. Twin Cities wedding venues accommodate this timeline by hosting smaller, intimate, or micro weddings throughout the week.
This guide will help you decide what works best for your day.
First… 6 vs 8 Hours Isn’t About Photos
It’s about pacing.
Couples often ask:
How many hours of photography for wedding days do we actually need?
The answer depends on:
Your timeline
Your priorities
Your venue setup
Your reception plans
Especially at many intimate wedding venues in Eau Claire, WI, your timeline may already be more efficient, which makes 6 hours a real possibility. Wedding venues in the Twin Cities are typically accommodating this efficiency because they have the space for both your ceremony and your reception.
What A 6 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline Looks Like
A 6-hour wedding photography timeline works best when:
Getting ready and the ceremony are in the same location
You’re planning a shorter reception
You’re comfortable focusing on key moments
Typical 6-hour coverage includes:
Final getting-ready moments
Ceremony
Family portraits
Wedding party portraits
Couple portraits
Reception entrance
Toasts
First dances
This option is ideal for:
Micro weddings
Backyard weddings
Weekday weddings
Smaller guest counts
It pairs well with:
Smaller wedding venues in Chippewa Falls, WI
Intimate gatherings in LaCrosse, WI
Minimal travel between locations for wedding venues in Milwaukee, WI
What Gets Missed With 6 Hours?
Earlier in the day:
Full morning energy
Bridesmaids hanging out
Guys, relaxing before the day begins
Gift exchanges
Quiet moments before everything starts
Later in the night:
Open dance floor energy
Nighttime reception atmosphere
Late laughter when the timeline disappears
Especially during Wisconsin summers, sunset may not arrive until later. What does this mean? The best light and most relaxed moments happen after coverage ends.
What An 8 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline Looks Like
An 8-hour wedding photography timeline adds flexibility.
Instead of compressing your day, it allows:
More relaxed getting ready coverage
Time for meaningful moments before the ceremony
Full reception begins
Some dancing
Sunset portraits or those Golden Hour photos (season permitting)
This is especially helpful when:
You have multiple locations
You want time with your wedding party
You want both structured and candid moments
Couples often choose 8 hours when planning a scenic wedding venue near Eau Claire, WI, where timing naturally stretches.
Does Venue Choice Matter?
Absolutely.
Compact venues reduce travel time.
Which is why couples at:
Boutique wedding venues within 100 miles of Eau Claire, WI, such as Burlap & Bells, The Oxbow, or The Overlook at Danzinger Winery
Small estate settings for elopements in Minnesota or those who wish to stay locally and elope locally in Wisconsin.
All-in-one venues such as The Barn at Mirror Lake, The Crescent at Eau Claire Event District, or Lake Wissota Golf.
Often find 6 hours workable.
But when travel is involved… between ceremony and reception… 8 hours quickly becomes the better fit.
Couples comparing options like wedding photographer cost Eau Claire, WI, versus larger markets like wedding photographers Madison, WI, wedding photographer Madison, WI, wedding photographers Milwaukee, WI, or wedding photographers La Crosse, WI often discover:
Time flexibility matters more than anything.
Is 6 Hours Enough For A Wedding Photographer?
Yes… When the day is designed for it.
6 hours works best when:
Your day is intentionally streamlined
Your focus is on ceremony and celebration
You’re okay with a shorter reception capture
It is not ideal when:
You want full morning moments
You want sunset portraits
You want late dancing
When 8 Hours Is The Better Choice
Choose 8 hours if:
You want breathing room
You want time with your people
You want the day to feel relaxed
You want early and late moments
Even intimate weddings often benefit from just a little more space.
The Real Difference
6 Hours = Efficient
8 Hours = Comfortable
6 hours keeps things focused and on task with an intentional wedding day timeline and wedding photo plan
8 hours give your day room to unfold, capture those candid moments, and allow you, as the couple, to kick back and relax a little.
And when building your timeline, that difference can change how your day feels.
How This Connects To Your Wedding Timeline
Choosing between:
6 or 8 hours for a wedding photographer
8 or 10-hour wedding photography
How many hours of photography for a wedding
All comes back to your timeline.
All starts with understanding your day. That’s why the next step is to intentionally build your timeline.
Let’s connect to create your timeline, or feel free to schedule a casual Meet-and-Greet with Andrew here at a time that works best for you and your fiancé!
That’s why pairing this with two additional resources I’ve put together here…
The Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
8 vs 10 Hour Wedding Photography Coverage
…helps you make the right decision for your wedding day.