How do I know what coverage to choose for my wedding photography?
- Chloe Gelsthorpe
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Once you've made the decision regarding who you'd like to have as your wedding photographer, the next challenge can be picking the package you want to go for. Different wedding photographers can offer different types of coverage and timings. I try to keep the options I offer simple by offering a Full Day package and an Hour by Hour package. This means you can either go for full day photo coverage, starting from 2-3 hours before the ceremony until an hour after your first dance. Or choose the coverage you want by picking how many hours of your day you'd like photographed, which could be as low as just one.
Let's take a closer look at what kind of coverage you get with each of the packages I offer..
Full Day Coverage (approx 10 Hours)
Full day coverage is the most popular choice for weddings. This usually includes:
Morning preparations (2-3 hours before the ceremony)
Ceremony
Drinks reception + LOADS of candids
Couple portraits
Group photos
Speeches
First dance and evening celebrations
This option tells the complete story of your day, from start to finish.
Shorter Coverage
This works well for smaller weddings, later ceremonies or legal registry office ceremonies. 1 hour can cover a little bit of of guest arrival, ceremony and a few celebrations after your ceremony. 2 hours can cover all of the above but can include time for group photos, couple portraits and candids of your guests. Three hours and over can give you the best amount of flexible coverage to potentially include a little bit of preparation photos, lots of candids, more time for couple portraits and your reception celebrations.
Let's have a look at some examples of couples who have booked my 'Hour by Hour' package.
Sophie & Matt chose to go for 5 hours coverage, which meant I could cover the getting ready, their reception & speeches, group photos, couple portraits and plenty of candids.
Another shorter coverage wedding I have photographed was Olivia & Andy. They opted for 2 hours of photography with me. Their ceremony was an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family at their local registry office and the two hours purchased allowed me to cover their ceremony in full, grab some group photos and then pop around the Lincoln Cathedral & Bailgate area for their couple portraits.
Consider What Matters Most to You
Every wedding is different. If the morning preparations and dance floor moments are important to you, longer coverage is worth it. If you’re planning something smaller and more relaxed, a few hours may be enough.
An experienced Norfolk wedding photographer (aka me) can help you plan a timeline that ensures nothing important is missed.
Final Thoughts
Most couples choose the full coverage option, so their full story is captured naturally. But every wedding is different so don't hesitate to open that line of communication with your photographer to work together & decide what is best for you. The key is choosing enough time so you can relax and enjoy your day without feeling rushed.
If you’re planning your wedding in Norfolk and would like help deciding how much coverage you need, feel free to get in touch, I’d be happy to help.
Norfolk Wedding Photography - Chloe Gels Photo Video 2026
Natural, Candid, Documentary Wedding Photography
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