How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Need in Sydney? (2, 5, 8+ Hours Explained)
How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Need in Sydney? (2, 5, 8+ Hours Explained)
Booking a photographer. Okay, check. Now, choosing how many hours…...
This Sydney-specific guide shows what you really get with 2, 5 and 8+ hour options, sample timelines for different styles of days, and when to add a second shooter or videography.
Pro Tip: Always great to account for delays on the day when counting your hours.
Quick answer (cheat sheet)
2-3 hours (Small Event / Registry Marriage / Elopement)
Ceremony + portraits at one location. Light travel. Best for weekday or intimate celebrations.
5-6 hours (Half Day / Story style coverage)
Prep → ceremony → portraits → early reception (or speeches and cake if tight). Most popular for compact weddings and one day events.
8-10+ hours (Full Day / Documentary style coverage)
Both preps → ceremony → portraits → full reception coverage. Ideal for larger timelines, cultural rituals, multiple locations.
Golden rule: If you’re changing locations more than once or want both preps and speeches included, budget 8 hours or add a second shooter with less hours of coverage.
What changes your hour count?
Number of locations & travel time: Classic Sydney traffic + parking
Ceremony length: civil, religious or cultural (Nikkah, Hindu, Tea Ceremony, Stefana, Shinzen Shiki)
Reception format: canapes or seated settings, along with speeches and run sheet plan.
Portrait goals: golden hour shots, multiple locations on the same day.
Media team size: adding video or a second shooter.
How to decide in 60 seconds
Want both preps and speeches? → 8–10 hrs
One prep, ceremony, portraits, mini reception? → 5 hrs
Registry + portraits only? → 2 hrs
Cultural or multi-event day? → 10–12 hrs + second shooter
What each photography package realistically captures
Highlight Package — 2 Hours Coverage
Guest arrivals, ceremony with key moments, family photos, couple portraits.
One location
This packages works really well for elopements, pop up ceremonies and registry marriages.
You’ll miss: both preps, extended reception coverage, creative travel portraits.
Story Package — 5 Hours Coverage
One preparation coverage (usually the couple together or one side).
Ceremony, family, formalities, dedicated portraits at one or two nearby locations.
Early reception (function center or hall setup, entrances, speeches, cake).
Smart choice for compact organised weddings and efficient timelines.
Buffer well if locations are spread - Sydney traffic can very quickly eat 40–60 min.
Feature Package — 8 Hours Coverage
Both preps, detail storytelling.
Ceremony with full coverage across the entire function.
Portraits at multiple locations.
Reception: entrances, speeches, first dance, dance floor and farewell (Biddai)
Cultural days are often 8–12 hrs across rituals; consider a second shooter.
Sample timelines you can use as inspiration or even copy
Highlight Package — 2 Hours Coverage (registry marriage, elopements, small ceremonies)
Durations
10 minutes: Arrivals & scene-setting.
30 minutes: Ceremony.
20 minutes: Family & friend groups.
45 minutes: Couple portraits nearby.
15 minutes: Candid farewells / street frames.
Example (ceremony at 3:00 pm)
2:40 - 2:50 pm: Arrivals & scene set.
3:00 - 3:30 pm: Ceremony.
3:30 - 3:50 pm: Family/friends groups.
3:50 - 4:35 pm: Couple portraits (walkable locations).
4:35 - 4:50 pm: Candid farewells.
Story Package — 5 Hours Coverage (Classic Half Day)
Durations
1 hour: Preparations (one side) & details.
30 minutes: Travel and/or arrivals.
30 minutes: Ceremony.
30 minutes: Family & bridal party formals.
45 minutes: Portraits (add 15-20 minutes buffer).
1 hour: Early reception (room details and setup, canapes, one speech or cake).
Example (ceremony at 3:00 pm)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Preparations (one side) & details.
2:00 - 2:30 pm: Travel to ceremony / arrivals / guest candid shots.
3:00 - 3:30 pm: Ceremony.
3:30 - 4:00 pm: Family & bridal party formals.
4:00 - 4:45 pm: Portraits (add 15-20 min buffer if moving locations).
5:00 - 6:00 pm: Reception coverage.
Feature Package — 8 Hours Coverage (Full Day)
Durations
45 minutes: Preparations and details (groom).
30 minutes: Travel to next location.
45 minutes: Preparations and details (bride).
35 minutes: Travel to next location and setup.
35 minutes: Arrivals / guest candid shots.
40 minutes: Ceremony.
30 minutes: Family & group formals.
1 hour: Portraits (second location and/or golden hour).
3 hours: Reception (entrances, speeches, first dance, dance floor).
Optional 1 hour - farewell and/or after party.
Example (ceremony at 2:30 pm)
11:30 am - 12:15 pm: Preparations (Groom).
12:45pm - 1:15 pm: Preparations (Bride).
2:00 - 2:30 pm: Arrivals / scene setting.
2:30 - 3:10 pm: Ceremony.
3:10 - 3:40 pm: Family & group formals.
3:45 - 4:45 pm: Portraits (include travel buffer if required).
5:30 - 8:30 pm: Reception coverage.
Custom Tailored Package — 8 to 12 Hours Coverage (Nikkah, Cultural, Tea Ceremony, Reception, South Asian, Indian)
Note: Hours can be split across multiple days if requested.
Durations
2–3 hours: Morning rituals, details and preparations.
60 - 90 minutes: Nikah / main ceremony.
60 - 90 minutes: Family formals & extended groups together.
30 - 45 minutes: Travel/room resets between segments
3 - 4 hours: Reception with multiple speeches & cultural dances
At this point, a second shooter is recommended for gendered events, decor & multi-angle coverage for your big day.
Example (Nikah at 12:30 pm)
9:30 - 11:30 am: Morning rituals & details.
12:00 - 12:30 pm: Arrivals / guest greetings.
12:30 - 1:30 pm: Nikah / main ceremony
1:30 - 2:45 pm: Family formals & extended groups together.
3:15 - 4:15 pm: Couple portraits / bridal party (nearby or garden)
5:00 - 9:00 pm: Reception (entrances, speeches, cultural dances, first dance, dance floor)
9:00 - 9:30 pm: Farewells
Quick planning notes
Add 15 to 30 minutes of buffer per location move (more in the CBD on peak days).
If you want both preps + speeches, you’re almost always at 8–10 hours.
Golden hour portraits fall 45 to 60 minutes before sunset - check exact sunset for your special date/location.
For South Asian / multi day events, a second shooter is the best value upgrade for coverage breadth.
When to add a second shooter
Guest count is 180 +
Split preparations or tight turnarounds.
Multi-room venues (e.g. Paradiso, Hyatt, The Star)
You want want absolute coverage of angles from aisle reactions across the space and vows.
FAQs
Can we split hours?
Short split days are possible on weekdays; weekends work best continuous. Travel time counts toward coverage.
What if it rains?
We scout covered spots (such as arcades and hotel lobbies ). Bring clear umbrellas and buffer 15 to 20 minutes.
Do we need getting-ready coverage?
It sets the story and captures key details/family moments. Absolutely worth it. If you’re tight, do final 45–60 minutes of one prep.
How much buffer should we allow for Sydney traffic?
Add 15 to 30 minutes per move, more for CBD on Saturdays.