Wedding Photographers Prices: By the hour?

One thing you'll probably notice if you're shopping around is that many wedding photographers in Branson and Springfield, MO are now basing their packages and prices on the amount of photography time you'd like to purchase.

I'm a big fan of this pricing model, primarily because it lets my clients choose the package that's right for their particular wedding. Whether you're planning an intimate one-hour sunset ceremony, or a much longer affair, you'll likely find a competitively priced package on our website that's right for you.

As a bride-to-be, however, it's hard to know how many hours of photography you'll actually need for your wedding day. Here's a quick guide to help you decide.


Preparation Photographs

Bridal Preparations

If you'd like photos of your final preparations prior to the ceremony, as well as those of your fiance, factor one hour into your package.

I typically start by shooting candid photos of the bride and groom's individual preparations, taking special care to capture details. From there, I move on to guest arrivals and final preparations at the site of your ceremony.

As these are often some of the most memorable moments (and photos), I'd strongly suggest including time for preparation photography, if your budget allows.

Ceremony Photographs

Wedding Ceremony

It's best to factor in one hour of photography for your ceremony.

While the ceremony itself may be significantly shorter, you'll want to allow plenty of time for pictures of your guests being seated, the wedding party (and yourself) walking down the aisle, and other important moments before the ceremony actually begins.

"Formals"

Bride and Groom with bridesmades

It's important to factor in one hour of photography for your after-ceremony "formal" shots, even if you prefer a more casual approach.

From pictures of the bride and groom by themselves, to those with the bridal party and family, we'll need some time to gather the right people, arrange them together, and of course shoot the photos.

I like to begin by asking the bride and groom to take a walk together and treasure the moment, while I unobstrusively capture some candid shots. This alone can take 15-20 minutes, but it's well worth it as the pictures are always great.

Reception

Wedding Reception Photo

Most couples factor in two to three hours of photography for their wedding reception. It really depends on what you have planned, but if you're hosting a full reception, factor in enough time to allow us to capture images of all the important moments, up to and including the cutting of your cake.

Conversely, if you're planning a more informal dinner, one hour of photography very well may suffice.


A Word Of Caution

Unfortunately, beyond the amount of photography time stipulated, no two wedding photographers' packages are alike. Many do not include the price of retouching your images, displaying them in an online gallery, or delivering them on a high-resolution CD... so you'll end up paying  a great deal extra.

Cool Change Photography, a Branson and Springfield MO wedding photography studio, proudly offers all three of these services, as well as a substantial discount on engagement portrait sessions, included in the price of every package, whether you book us for one hour or six.

That's the benefit of pricing by the hour.

Need Help Deciding?

At Cool Change Photography, we recognize that every wedding is unique, and gladly offer complimentary phone consultations with all prospective clients. In addition to helping you select the right wedding photography package, we'll discuss your specific expectations and answer any other questions you have, too.

To schedule a consultation, please use the contact form on our website. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your planning!

Nick~
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