How many hours of wedding photography do you need?

Short answer: most full wedding days need 6 to 8 hours of photography. An elopement or city hall ceremony needs about 3. A day with getting ready, a long reception or several events needs 10 or more.

Hours are the biggest thing that moves a wedding photography quote, so it is worth getting the number right before you compare prices. Here is how I help couples work it out.

What each length of coverage includes

3 hours. Elopements, city hall ceremonies and micro weddings. Enough for the ceremony, family groups and a relaxed set of couple portraits nearby.

5 hours. A ceremony and reception at one venue. Covers the last of getting ready, the ceremony, family photos, couple portraits and the start of the reception, usually through the entrance and first speeches.

8 hours. The classic full day. Getting ready, a first look if you want one, ceremony, family and wedding party, golden hour portraits, speeches, cake and first dance.

10 hours or more. Two getting ready locations, travel between venues, a late reception you want documented to the end, or a day with several rituals.

What those hours cost with RUDQP

My wedding coverage starts at $749 for a 3 hour minimum, and every extra hour is $249. All prices are in CAD before HST, with unlimited edited photographs and delivery within one week.

• 3 hours: $749
• 5 hours: $1,247
• 6 hours: $1,496
• 8 hours: $1,994
• 10 hours: $2,492

A second photographer is $349 for the day. It is worth it when you are getting ready in two places at the same time, or when the guest list is large. For how this compares with the wider market, see what a wedding photographer costs in Ottawa.

How to work out your own number

Write down the time your ceremony starts and the last moment you truly want photographed, often the first dance or the cake. Add 60 to 90 minutes before the ceremony for getting ready and details. Add travel time if the ceremony and reception are in different places. That total is your coverage.

Three things stretch a day more than couples expect: family group photos (allow 3 minutes per group), travel and parking between venues, and sunset. If golden hour portraits matter to you, check the sunset time for your date first and build the timeline backwards from it.

Multi day and South Asian weddings

For weddings with a haldi, mehndi, sangeet, ceremony and reception, count each event on its own instead of stretching one block across the week. Most events need 3 to 4 hours, and the wedding day itself 8 to 10. I plan the timeline with you so you only pay for hours that matter.

Book for the moments you would be heartbroken to miss, then add one hour. Weddings almost never run early.

You can see full galleries on the Ottawa wedding photography page.

Quick answers

How many hours of wedding photography do most couples book?

Most couples book 6 to 8 hours, which covers getting ready through the first dance. Elopements and city hall weddings need about 3 hours, and days with two locations or a late reception need 10 or more.

How much do 8 hours of wedding photography cost in Ottawa with RUDQP?

RUDQP wedding coverage is $749 for the first 3 hours and $249 for each extra hour, so 8 hours comes to $1,994 before HST, with unlimited edited photographs delivered within one week.

Is 5 hours enough for a wedding?

Yes, if the ceremony and reception are at one venue. Five hours covers the end of getting ready, the ceremony, family photos, couple portraits and the start of the reception. It costs $1,247 with RUDQP.

Do I need a second photographer?

Only if you are getting ready in two places at the same time or have a large guest list. A second photographer with RUDQP is $349.