How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do I Really Need?
How many hours of wedding photography do you really need — 3, 5, or 7? It’s one of the most common questions couples ask while planning their wedding, and the answer depends on your vision for the day. Courthouse ceremonies and elopements may only require 2–3 hours, giving you coverage for vows, group portraits, and a short couple’s session. Mid-size celebrations benefit from 5 hours, allowing photographers to capture not only the ceremony but also key reception moments and bridal party portraits. Larger weddings with multiple traditions or receptions that last into the night often need 7 hours or more, ensuring everything from getting ready to the grand exit is documented. In this guide, we explain what each coverage option looks like and who it’s best for, so you can book with confidence.
Recently, while photographing surprise proposals, a question kept coming up: “How many hours of photography do you think we’ll need for our wedding?” It got us thinking. This year we’ve been transitioning more into wedding photography and just recently put together packages that reflect different coverage options. From our personal experiences, reading countless posts in Facebook wedding groups, and seeing honest discussions on Reddit, we realized couples everywhere are trying to figure this out. So we put together this blog in hopes it helps someone who’s wondering if 3, 5, or 7 hours of wedding photography is the right fit.
Exchanging rings is more than a tradition — it’s the moment that marks the beginning of your forever. Whether you’re planning an intimate courthouse wedding, a romantic Temecula vineyard ceremony, or a full-day celebration in Palm Springs, capturing these once-in-a-lifetime memories matters. At Last Minute Photoshoot, we offer wedding photography packages designed to fit your vision, from 3 hours of elopement coverage to full-day storytelling. Secure your date today and let us preserve every vow, every detail, and every emotion.
Every wedding is unique—some couples want a few hours for vows and portraits, while others dream of full-day coverage. Our Elopements & Weddings Packages are flexible, designed to fit your vision and ensure no important moment goes uncaptured.
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3 Hours of Wedding Photography — Best for Elopements & Courthouse Ceremonies
If you’re planning a courthouse wedding, elopement, or small intimate gathering, 3 hours can be the perfect amount of coverage. This allows time for:
The ceremony itself
Family portraits afterward
A short couple’s session at or near the location
📌 Example: A Santa Ana Courthouse elopement where we cover vows, group photos, and then take a quick walk around the historic district for portraits.
Who it’s perfect for: Couples who value simplicity, are on a tighter budget, or don’t need every moment of the day captured.
5 Hours of Wedding Photography — A Balanced Option
Five hours is ideal for couples who want more than just the ceremony but don’t need all-day coverage. With 5 hours, we can capture:
Pre-ceremony details (like getting ready shots)
Ceremony coverage
Family and bridal party portraits
The beginning of the reception (first dances, toasts)
📌 Example: A vineyard wedding in Temecula where we document the ceremony, bridal party, and early reception moments before sunset.
Who it’s perfect for: Couples who want storytelling beyond the ceremony but are planning a shorter celebration.
7 Hours of Wedding Photography — Full Storytelling Coverage
Seven hours (or more) ensures your wedding story is told from start to finish. This timeline usually includes:
Getting ready and detail shots
Ceremony coverage
Group and couple portraits
Reception highlights through the evening (cake cutting, speeches, dancing)
📌 Example: A Palm Springs resort wedding where the couple wanted every detail — from the morning champagne toast to their final sparkler exit.
Who it’s perfect for: Couples with larger weddings, multiple traditions, or anyone who doesn’t want to miss a moment.
Recap: How Many Hours Do You Really Need?
3 hours → Intimate elopements, courthouse ceremonies, or small gatherings.
5 hours → Balanced option for couples who want ceremony + early reception.
7 hours → Full wedding day storytelling, from prep to late-night dancing.
At the end of the day, choosing coverage comes down to your priorities: which moments matter most, and how you want to remember them years from now.
Final Thoughts
Choosing how many hours of wedding photography you’ll need is one of those decisions that feels big — and it is. These photos will be the story of your day, the memories you’ll revisit for years to come. From courthouse elopements to full-day celebrations, we’ve seen how coverage time shapes the entire experience. Too little, and you risk missing moments you can’t get back. Too much, and you might stretch your budget on hours you don’t need. The sweet spot is finding coverage that matches your vision, timeline, and priorities.
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Capturing Love, One Moment at a Time: Our Husband-and-Wife Photography Journey
Our journey into photography began long before launching Last Minute Photoshoot in the heart of the Temecula Valley. What started with a classic Pentax K1000 and the desire to document family milestones has evolved into a full-time photography business serving couples, families, and brands across Southern California. Together as a husband-and-wife team, we specialize in last-minute photography services—from golden hour maternity sessions in Palm Desert, to surprise proposals on the beaches of La Jolla, to girls' trip photo shoots in Temecula wine country.
Based in Riverside County, we frequently work with clients throughout Orange County, San Diego, and beyond. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous engagement shoot, an intimate elopement, a milestone birthday, or need updated branding portraits—we capture it all with heart, precision, and flexibility.
Photography isn’t just our job—it’s our love language. In this blog, we open up about how Last Minute Photoshoot came to life, what it means to document life’s fleeting moments, and why we’re passionate about delivering timeless, emotionally rich images that feel just as real as the day they were taken.
Meet the Heart Behind the Lens — and the Hustle Behind the Scenes
I’m Stephanie Martinez’ Le, a Southern California photographer based in Riverside County, born and raised in Los Angeles. My passion for photography started early, rooted in resilience and family legacy. After losing their parents, my dad and uncles picked up a Pentax K1000 film camera to support their siblings and eventually built a small photography business out of a swap meet in San Bernardino. Surrounded by hustle, love, and storytelling, I fell in love with capturing real moments through the lens.
Photography didn’t just provide for our family — it bonded us. Today, I proudly carry that torch forward, documenting life’s biggest milestones and the intimate in-between moments.
I’ve been married to my husband Son for 9 years, and together we co-founded Last Minute Photoshoot, a husband-and-wife photography team serving Orange County, Temecula wine country, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles. While I lead the creative direction and photography, Son manages logistics and operations — ensuring every session runs smoothly.
Like many, our story wasn’t a straight line. After being furloughed during the COVID-19 shutdown, we faced a choice: return to the 9–5 grind or take a chance on ourselves. We chose the latter. What began as a weekend passion became our full-time calling. Since then, we’ve photographed surprise proposals in La Jolla, intimate elopements in Joshua Tree, milestone maternity sessions in Palm Desert, and spontaneous girls’ trips in Temecula wineries — often with only a few hours’ notice.
My first camera was a digital Kodak — a high school gift that never left my side. After graduation, I studied photography in San Diego, where I built my technical foundation. Even today, I stay committed to growth through workshops, community, and daily practice.
At Last Minute Photoshoot, we specialize in last-minute photography services. That doesn’t mean unprepared — it means we’ve mastered the art of delivering under pressure. Whether it’s a same-day family photo session in Newport Beach, a surprise engagement proposal in Laguna Beach, or a last-minute maternity shoot in Palm Springs, we show up early, prepared, and ready to tell your story.
We don’t just take pictures — we provide peace of mind. From location scouting, consultation calls, and GPS coordinates, to sneak-peek edits delivered within 24 hours, we focus on the details so you can focus on the moment.
Why Choose Last Minute Photoshoot?
Southern California Based — Serving Riverside County, Orange County, Temecula wine country, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles.
Husband-and-Wife Team — Stephanie leads photography and creative direction; Son manages logistics and operations.
Trusted Experience — From surprise proposals in La Jolla to elopements in Joshua Tree and milestone shoots in Palm Desert.
Last-Minute Specialists — Same-day sessions, spontaneous bookings, and stress-free planning without sacrificing quality.
Comprehensive Support — Location scouting, consultation calls, GPS coordinates, and sneak-peek edits within 24 hours.
Legacy of Storytelling — Inspired by family roots and a San Bernardino swap meet business that taught resilience, hustle, and love.
Full-Service Packages — Covering proposals, elopements, weddings, maternity, family sessions, and milestone celebrations.
Beyond the Package — Our Promise
Beyond what’s listed in each photography package, we provide something you can’t put a price on:
Honesty — Transparent pricing and open communication, always.
Punctuality — We arrive early, prepared, and ready to work.
Clarity — You’ll always know where to be, when to be there, and what to expect.
Reliability — No last-minute cancellations. We won’t disappear on your wedding day, proposal, or family milestone.
Peace of Mind — The assurance that your most important moments are in safe, dependable hands.
Ready to Capture Something Real?
Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal in Orange County, booking a golden hour maternity shoot in Palm Desert, or looking for a spontaneous family photo session while visiting Temecula wine country — we’ve got you covered.
👉 Explore our photography packages and let us turn your last-minute plans into lasting memories.
We specialize in last-minute photography with fast turnaround and beautiful results.
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