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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How Much Do Wedding Photographers Cost in San Diego?
Planning your wedding, elopement, or civil ceremony and wondering how much does a wedding photographer cost in San Diego? We’ve done the research for you. On average, San Diego wedding photographers charge between $700 for a one-hour session to $2,500 or more for elopement coverage, with luxury wedding photography packages reaching $10,000+. Most photographers only include a digital gallery, while extras like prints, albums, or planning support come at an additional cost. That’s why we recently re-introduced wedding photography into our services, after years of focusing on milestone portraits, family sessions, engagements, and proposals. By listening to our clients, we created affordable wedding and elopement packages in San Diego that combine coverage, fast delivery, planning support, and keepsakes. With introductory pricing starting at just $395, couples can book a San Diego wedding photographer who offers more value, more support, and more memories—without the high price tag.
When planning your wedding, elopement, or civil ceremony, one of the first questions couples ask is: “How much do wedding photographers cost in San Diego?” We’ve done the work for you. We researched several photographers in the area, compared their offerings, and looked at what’s included in their packages. The results might surprise you.
On average, wedding photography in San Diego can range anywhere from $700 for a one-hour session to $2,500+ for elopement coverage, with luxury wedding packages running $3,500–$10,000+ depending on coverage, albums, and extras. But what you get for those prices varies wildly—some photographers only provide digital galleries, while others add albums or light planning support.
That’s exactly why we recently introduced a brand-new set of wedding and elopement packages. For years, we stepped back from weddings to focus on milestone sessions, family portraits, engagements, and proposals. But with more couples reaching out for elopements, civil ceremonies, and intimate celebrations, we decided it was time to return to wedding photography—with packages that deliver more value, more support, and more keepsakes than the average San Diego photographer.
Even better: as part of our introductory launch sale, our prices are extremely competitive. These rates won’t last long.
In San Diego, prices can vary—but investing in a photographer who understands your story makes all the difference. Our Elopements & Weddings Packages are designed to deliver stunning, natural photos at competitive rates, with options that fit your vision and budget.
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What San Diego Photographers Typically Offer
1-Hour Wedding Coverage → Averages around $700–$750. Usually includes an online gallery with 30–50 edited images. Physical keepsakes are rare at this level.
Elopement Packages (4–5 Hours) → Commonly $1,200–$2,500. Most include digital delivery of edited images, but few provide prints, albums, or detailed planning support.
Luxury Wedding Photography → Ranges from $3,500–$10,000+ for full-day coverage. These often include albums, second shooters, and full planning assistance—but at a steep price.
Our New Wedding & Elopement Packages
We built our new packages to give couples a stress-free, supportive experience with more included—at a fraction of the cost. Here’s how they compare:
💍 Last Minute Love Elopement – $395
1 hour of coverage
30+ edited images + 2 sneak-peek photos in 24 hrs
Pre-shoot support: location scouting + consultation call
Day-of support: GPS coordinates to your exact shoot location
Keepsakes: 5 enhanced prints (1 12×18, 2 11×14, 2 8×11)
👉 Best for couples who want quick, beautiful, no-frills elopement coverage with both digital and physical memories.
💍 Timeless Moments Package – $695
1.5 hours of coverage
70+ edited images + 5 sneak-peeks in 24 hrs
Pre-shoot support: location scouting, consultation call, walk-through call, permit coordination
Planning support included (timeline guidance, location recommendations, vendor suggestions)
Day-of support: GPS coordinates to your exact shoot location
Keepsakes: 10 enhanced prints + 11×14 metal print
👉 Perfect for couples who want extended coverage, planning support, and extra keepsakes at a price well below San Diego averages.
💍 Forever & Always Wedding Package – $1,295
3 hours of coverage
100+ edited images, 10 sneak-peeks, and all RAW files included
Pre-shoot support: location scouting, consultation call, walk-through call, in-person walk-through, permit coordination
Full planning support included (custom timelines, vendor referrals, logistics, permits)
Day-of support: GPS coordinates to your exact shoot location
Keepsakes: Premium lay-flat album (8×10), 10 enhanced prints, and 11×14 metal print
👉 Designed for couples who want maximum coverage, full planning guidance, heirloom keepsakes, and peace of mind—without paying $2,500–$4,000 like many San Diego packages.
Why Couples Choose Us
More Support – We don’t just show up with a camera. We help with permits, timelines, and even day-of logistics.
More Keepsakes – Prints, albums, and metal artwork are included at every tier, not just as costly add-ons.
More Value – Our pricing is currently set as an introductory sale to celebrate these new offerings. Compared to San Diego averages, you’re getting 30–50% more for your investment.
Faster Turnaround – Sneak peeks delivered within 24 hours (many photographers quote 1–2 weeks).
The Bottom Line
So, how much do wedding photographers cost in San Diego? The short answer: anywhere from $700 for basics to $10,000 for luxury. The long answer: it depends on what’s included—and whether you’re getting real value for your investment.
With our new packages, we’ve intentionally priced below San Diego averages while offering more support, more keepsakes, and more peace of mind. These prices won’t last—they’re part of our limited-time launch as we reintroduce wedding photography to our services.
If you’re ready to capture your wedding, elopement, or civil ceremony with a team that values your experience as much as your photos, now is the time to book.