How Long Do You Actually Need Your Elopement Photographer?
This is such a common question. By now you've probably shopped around and noticed that there's so many offerings for elopement photography. Don't be overwhelmed, I'm happy to demystify the subject for you. Here, I'll answer the question, "How long do you really need your elopement photographer?"
Table of Contents
A Common Misconception
Things Your Elopement Photographer Wants You To Know About Elopement Photography
Details
Getting Ready
First Look
Ceremony (Pre & Post)
Celebration
Things You Might Have Forgotten About
Meals & Snacks
Travel Time
Coordination
Other factors to building a timeline
Questions to Ask Your Photographer
How to Choose a Photographer
Packages and Collections Info
A Common Misconception: Hiring an Elopement Photographer Means Having a Photoshoot
Couples have been walking around here mad as hell that they have to hire someone to have a long photoshoot.
I see it all the time and speak to couples who think,
“We just need 1 hour of photography, we don’t want to be posing for any longer than that.” Or
“The ceremony is only 30 minutes so we’ll just need you for an hour total for some photos after with the family.”
The truth is
YOUR ELOPEMENT IS NOT A PHOTO SHOOT.
If you’re planning your own elopement, every choice is intentional.
You’re picking meaningful locations, carefully choosing who to invite, coordinating where your people will meet, and making sure you both look and feel your best. Nothing about this is random—it’s personal, and it’s special
So this is not a photo shoot, this a photo opportunity.
You’re not hiring a photographer for selfies.
You’ve poured heart and intention into this day—every detail chosen with love. Your elopement photographer is there so you can be fully present with your person while still having every meaningful moment captured. Because these memories deserve more than phone photos—they deserve to live forever.
Things Your Elopement Photographer Wants You to Know About Elopement Photography
A few notes before we get to the deets – Find more in Your Ultimate Elopement Timeline Guide – What Your Elopement Could Look Like to build your own elopement day.
*Time flies when you’re having fun. Elopement photographers won’t be experiencing the same day you experience. We’re your active observers so that you can actually enjoy the time you have together.
*Elopement photography is just like any job. To deliver images that are up to our standards, elopement photographers all have a different way of working. For example, I require communication with clients to understand their needs. When I’m working with eloping clients I’m doing two jobs, coordinating and photographing.
*Although we are capturing moments milliseconds at a time doesn’t mean our job is as simple as clicking a black button. In each description I’ll give you a bit of perspective of what each segment of time requires.
*These are not hard and fast rules. Some elopement photographers may take less or more time with each portion of your day. This is simply my attempt at quantifying your day so that you understand what a photographer requires for these moments. This is how much time I take with each portion and may not reflect that of other elopement photographers. Make sure to ask your photographer to break down times.
*We encourage taking your time for your elopement. Rushing isn’t fun. Rushing is stressful. So we encourage our couples to savor each and every moment.
*I’m allotting buffers in each portion. It’s important to know that there will be times that elopement photographers won’t be photographing things. We’ll be switching cards, lenses, adjusting lighting situations, helping put things away or making things available, coordinating a moment, anticipating a moment, clearing backgrounds, making things aesthetic, composing images. There are so many things that go into photography that happen before we click the button. I’d venture to say that “making things aesthetic” is about half of my job. I hate working in post-production to edit things out.
Now That That's Out of The Way - Add Up All Of These Elements You Want Your Elopement Photographer Present For
Details - 30-60 minutes
If you have chosen things that you would like to be photographed, such as invitations, heirloom jewelry, shoes, your dress, your tux/suit/outfit, flowers, cufflinks, etc. you should put aside at least 30 minutes if you want your photographer to photograph these items specifically. Styling of items can take anywhere from 15 – 60 minutes, depnding on how many items are involved. If you’re ok with these items being photographed during your event and not in any stylized manner make that clear to your elopement photographer. But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t require the same amount of time. Throughout the day of an event, a photographer can take up to 60 – 120 minutes photographing different details while they’re in action, choosing the best compositions for them, coordinating them, or anticipating them.If you have special items you want photographed—like invitations, heirloom jewelry, shoes, outfits, flowers, or cufflinks—set aside at least 30 minutes for your photographer to style and capture them. Depending on how many pieces you have, styling can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes.
If you’re happy with these details being captured more casually during the day, let your photographer know—but that still takes time. Throughout your elopement, photographing details in action (like rings, florals, or outfit textures) can take 60 to 120 minutes total as your photographer composes, styles, and anticipates the right moments.
In short: beautiful detail shots don’t just happen—they take time and intention. Planning for that ensures your keepsakes are captured the way you imagined.
Getting Ready - 30 - 60 minutes
Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean the moments before don’t matter. Whether it’s a cozy breakfast, a pre-ceremony hangout at your Airbnb, or a quiet moment shared between generations—these are meaningful parts of your day worth capturing.
These moments can take 60 to 120 minutes, but time can easily be shared between getting ready and detail shots. We won’t photograph anyone mid-bite during brunch, but we will capture the vibe—the food, the atmosphere, the quiet joy.
Hair and makeup? We don’t need to document the whole process—just the final touches and the energy of the room as you get ready to say “I do.”
These are the in-between memories you’ll want to hold onto just as much as your vows.
A First Look Moment - 30 - 60 minutes
Ideas for your first look.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between a First Look and Meeting at the Aisle
You can absolutely do both. Plan a quiet moment before the ceremony—on a mountaintop, at the beach, or wherever your day takes you.
Use it to share a prayer, exchange private vows, or simply hold hands without seeing each other. Whether you’re facing each other or just connecting back-to-back, it’s a chance to pause, breathe, and be present before everything begins.
This moment isn’t just meaningful—it takes coordination. Your photographer will guide the timing, location, and direction to keep the experience smooth and stress-free. Expect to set aside 30–60 minutes for this: from walking to the location, getting into position, and fully soaking in the moment together.
It’s not just a photo op—it’s a memory in the making.
- The classic tap on the shoulder and turn around for the groom.
- Meeting back to back but only touching and not seeing each other.
- Praying together.
- Exchanging gifts.
- Having a quick drink together.
- Grooming each other.
- Reading letters to each other.
- Doing last minute checks of each other’s appearance.
- Giving boutonnieres and bouquets to each other.
- Having a quick afternoon tea.
- Taking in the sights.
Ceremony - 10 - 120 minutes
A ceremony can be as simple as signing paperwork or it can be a fully guided ceremony by an officiant who leads you through your vows, a unity ceremony, religious rites, all the way to your first kiss. Of course you can have something in between all that. It’s your ceremony, pick and choose which things are most important to you and make sure to include them. Generally 10 – 120 minutes is what you’ll need your photographer for this portion.
Included in this portion are things that may happen post-ceremony
- Formal/posed photos with family/friends.
- Champagne pop, imbibing, smoking a joint.
- Quick snack or dessert.
- Exploring the locations.
- Spending quality time doing some exploring or sightseeing.
Celebration 60 minutes - 3 hours
Every celebration looks different. It could be a night on the town, a quick dinner, a cocktail hour, maybe all of the above, but in any case, the celebration can take anywhere from 60 minutes – 3 hours. This is an opportunity for your photographer to capture all the fun stuff you’ve planned for your elopement. A reception does not have to be eating and drinking, it can be games, it can be plans you make over the course of a whole trip with your folks, it can be a catered or privately cheffed dinner, it can be an excursion you planned with your new spouse, it can be anything and this is why this portion has the most time for your photographer. If you’re planning something super special, those moments deserve to be captured too.
Things You Might Have Forgotten About
Meals & Snacks - 20 - 60 minutes
We provide a 20 minute time out for meals so that we’re not photographing anyone eating and typically, we’re eating with the couple and their guests, as well at this time. That could be snacks and/or meals. At this point we’re on break as well and generally, taking photos of people eating isn’t a thing for us. This 20 minutes isn’t accounted into the amount of time for collections. This might not be for all elopement photographers but we do this as a courtesy. Everything before and after physically eating, however, is included, for example service time, cooking time, etc. because this is all time that you’re connecting with your spouse or family members while you wait. The details in the food are also captured because, well, when do you get the opportunity to have a whole day of your favorites?
Travel Time - 30 minutes - 3 hours
We consider any time moving “travel time.” This is where the buffers come in. If you’re in your Las Vegas hotel getting ready and you’re heading downstairs to meet your spouse for your first look, that’s going to take some time. I’ve timed it many times and generally something like this takes up to 15-20 minutes between making sure you have everything you need, grabbing the last minute things you’ve forgotten, walking to the elevator, waiting for the elevator, taking the elevator, navigating your way through the hotel/casino, doing last minute checks of shoes, make-up/hair, 15-20 minutes goes by pretty quickly, but also because Vegas hotels are huge.
Then there’s times where you’re driving from one location to another, hiking, taking a helicopter, waiting on your limo, etc. Some of these things are beyond your control and hurrying up and waiting might be part of your itinerary. Moments like this add up during your day. That’s why it’s important to have a timeline in place so you know how long things will generally take. Tap here to learn how to put together a robust timeline. I even provide examples. Your photographer may or may not have travel time included, which means your 4 hour collection just became 2 hours of photography coverage because your photographer has to drive up to 2 hours to go from location to location. Make sure to ask
Ways to remedy this problem
- Make plans for your photographer to ride with you if you’re driving that way they can still capture you from the back seat.
- Or even better, hire a driver so that they can ride in the front and get you both being all cozy in the back seat.
- Put together a timelime that includes every minute of your day.
- Make time and space for your photographer to do their job effectively. I’m a photographer, I absolutely feel like I can do a million things at once but the reality is, I can only do one thing at a time.
Coordination
When you’re planning an elopement on your own, it’s easy to underestimate how much time coordination really takes. From setting up details to wrangling guests, to making sure you have everything—it adds up fast. If you’re not building in buffers between moments, things can quickly feel rushed or overwhelming. That’s why, if you’re DIY-ing your day, it’s essential to factor in extra time into your photography coverage. Because you deserve to be in the moment—not running it from behind the scenes.
In our case, we factor in all of the coordination for you and make sure that we take on most of the coordination so things like your fancy picnic, florals, and music show up like magic.
Other Factors to Determine How Much Time You'll Need With Your Photographer
- If you still don’t think you need all the time your photographer is offering, choose a collection and have them photograph the parts of your elopement that are most important to you. For example, if your details aren’t important, or the time you’re spending getting ready with your folks or future spouse don’t matter too much to you, then just choose a collection that will cover your ceremony, a first look, and some of your celebration.
- The more people you have present, the more time you may need with your photographer. If you want to honor every moment with the people you love, make sure you’re getting photos with them, they’re present for a reason.
DIY Photos Cost More Than You Think. What you don’t spend in money, you’ll spend in time—and on your elopement day, time is everything.
If you choose to take your own photos or ask a guest to do it, you’re trading precious moments with your partner for time behind the lens. Even worse, if the photos don’t turn out how you hoped, you’re left with disappointment and lost time you’ll never get back.
You deserve to be fully present—not worrying about angles, lighting, or if someone remembered to hit “record.” Just like you’d hire a tax pro to save you stress (and possibly money), hiring an experienced photographer ensures your memories are captured beautifully while you stay immersed in what really matters.
Let yourself live the day you planned—with no regrets and no missed moments.
- Find out if you can have a discontinuous schedule. Let’s say you want to take a break in the day or don’t want photography during meals, then go ask your photographer if they’re willing to split up their time.
Questions to Ask Your Photographer
I know, you know we’re artists and that we’re all sensitive and stuff but here’s a list of questions that you can absolutely ask your photographer before you decide to hire them.
- What’s your style of shooting?
- Do you have any full collections from past clients you can show me?
- If for whatever reason you can’t photograph my event what is your solution?
- Do you include planning and/or coordination?
- Can you help with locations?
- Do you help with prep to find these locations or location scouting?
- How many images will we receive?
- Are prints included?
- Tell me about your process leading up to my elopement.
How to Choose a Photographer
This is all a matter of preference. Couples who are choosing a photographer based on their art understand that they have a style with which they resonate most. But it’s not just in the way their images look.
This is how you’ll make sure the photographer you choose is right for you.
- There’s an undeniable vibe between you. You’ve seen their work, you love it, and then when you get on the phone you feel a charge and a new excitement for your elopement.
- You feel like you can trust them. They’ve got great reviews, you see their face and feel close to them even if it’s just on Facebook/Instagram, and when you’re on the phone with them it just makes sense.
- Their photos make you want to be in their photos. You know that when it’s your turn you’ll be able to feel like the main character because no matter how “non-photogenic” you feel (even though you are photogenic), you know damn well they’re going to make you look good, feel good, and remember your day with love.
- They make you feel comfortable. With the detriment of the camera (I know, I hate the camera myself.), someone you can feel totally yourself with is someone you’ll love to have taking your photos.
- Get to know their process. The more you know about how things work on their end, the more you’re likely to feel in the loop and not lost. Make sure you can communicate well.
Packages and Collections Info
Planning and Guidance
– Full elopement planning. Personalized U.S. elopement guide. Questionnaires, vendor recommendations, permitting, and client portal access. Unlimited planning and access to your elopement team. Everything above.
– Explore locations like Red Rock Canyon, Rainier Mountain, and Seychelles. Tap here for more information on elopement locations.
-Travel expenses ALWAYS included.
Ceremony Services
– Officiant services by Pop Andrini.
– Marriage license guidance.
– Custom ceremony.
Photography
– From 4-16 hours of professional photography coverage by Mari Andrini.
– Drone footage (location and weather permitting).
– Sneak peeks within 24 hours.
– Final images on a secure online gallery.
Las Vegas and San Diego elopements starting at $4000
U.S. elopements starting at $4000
International elopements starting at $7000
From $4000-$14000
I hope I’ve answered your question of how much time you need with your photographer. Though other elopement photographers might have different collections with different hour coverages, as a photographer myself, I want you to know that I value your elopement. This is a day you’re marrying the love of your life and though you have decided to elope, it doesn’t mean it’s any less important than if you had a big wedding or a courthouse wedding. In fact, I think you’re dope for choosing to do you.
