When clients book their wedding photographer, a common question I get is this - "How many hours do I need them for?"

While this seems like a really straightforward question, there's a lot of follow up questions that I'll ask to help get to the right answer for their wedding.

Will you be doing a first look?
Is everything in one location (getting ready, ceremony, reception) or will everyone need to drive between venues?
What time is sunset and do you want sunset photos?
Do you want getting ready photos with your wedding party in the morning?
Do you want detail photos - invites, dresses, bouquets?
Do you want photos of the dancing at the end of the night?
Do you want photos of an exit or a last dance at the end of the night?

These are just a few of the questions to think about before determining how many hours of photo you'll need/want.

With all of that said, we just got the photos from a wedding who had their photographer (Vivir Photography) present ALL DAY, and we are now fully convinced that having your photographer from beginning to end is the best way to go. Take a look at the photos below and let us know your thoughts. How many hours of photography are you planning to have on your wedding day?

BEGINNING OF THE DAY PHOTOS: When your photographer comes in the beginning of the wedding day, they have time to get all the details, including your wedding dress (they can't shoot it hanging if you're already wearing it!), your invitation with your details, bouquets, and all the little details.

In addition, since the couple often isn't together at this time, photos are a great way to look back at the day and see what was happening when you weren't around.

CEREMONY PHOTOS: Most (pretty much all) couples will have their photographer at the ceremony. It's the most important part of the day! We love seeing all the details incorporated into a ceremony - this couple had their families walk down the aisle, and added a conch shell blower and a lei exchange.

PHOTOS DURING COCKTAIL HOUR: Honestly, so many things happen during the cocktail hour - your photographer will be busy trying to get (1) family photos, (2) wedding party photos if you didn't do a first look, (3) details in your reception area before guests sit down, (4) photos of just the couple, (5) additional activities like a tea ceremony for this couple, and (6) depending on the location and time, they might be rushing the couple out for sunset photos.

There are A LOT of photos happening during this time. If you want to hang out with your guests and just enjoy cocktail hour, we definitely recommend getting as many photos before the ceremony as possible.

PHOTOS DURING RECEPTION: From the grand entrance, to the end of the formal program, these photos are the details that you included in your program - speeches, toasts, dances, cake cutting and more. We love having a photographer present to capture all of these details!

POST RECEPTION PHOTOS: This is where things get really fun, BUT this is often when photography ends for the day. This couple decided to have their photographers stay until the very end since they had so much going on - a hula performance, fire dancers, non-stop dancing, a send off and a last dance!! We literally can't get enough of this wedding!!