One of the most common planning questions couples ask — regardless of who they’re hiring — is: How many hours of wedding day coverage do we actually need?


And the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every celebration is different. But for couples who care deeply about having their story told in a full, present, and meaningful way — 10+ hours of photo and video coverage tends to be the gold standard.


Not because “more is more.” But because more is mindful—especially when the focus is on documenting the day as it actually unfolds.


Why 10+ hours is right  —  for couples who care about presence, not performance.


For couples like those who book with Storyteller Co, the goal isn’t to squeeze a timeline into a box. It’s to create space — for intention, for stillness, for connection.

Ten hours allows a story to be documented from beginning to end:


  • The quiet of the getting ready space
  • The meaningful exchange of letters or gifts
  • The pre-ceremony anticipation
  • The golden hour portraits
  • The just-married joy and post-dinner exhale
  • And the final, unforgettable moments of the night—be it an outfit change, a champagne tower, or a catered late-night snack on the dance floor


It’s about presence. Not pressure.

More time = more context, not just more content.


Wedding photos and films shouldn’t feel rushed or stitched together. They should flow. They should reflect the full emotional arc of the day — not just the “big” moments. When the timeline has breathing room, photographers and filmmakers aren’t just reacting. They’re able to observe, anticipate, and document with creativity and care. They can capture subtle, powerful scenes that become emotional anchors in a gallery or film — things that would otherwise be missed in a shorter coverage window.


The emotional return on time


Whether you’re working with Storyteller Co or another documentary-forward creative team, the most honest, beautiful storytelling doesn’t happen when the clock is ticking. It happens in the in-between.


It happens when couples have time to pause. To hold hands and take a beat. To exist in their day without being pulled from moment to moment.

And that freedom — that space — is often only possible with 10 or more hours of coverage.


So, is 10 hours the right fit for every wedding?


Certainly not! Elopements, small courthouse ceremonies, and weekday micro-weddings may not need that much time. But for couples hosting a full wedding day, hoping for truly all-encompassing,  comprehensive coverage — inclusive of getting ready, prep, first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and more — 8 hours is often the bare minimum, and 10+ allows everything room to breathe.


It’s the difference between feeling captured and feeling seen.


Final thought: Build for the story you want to tell later.


If your wedding is more than just a series of scheduled events — if it’s a living, emotional experience you want to remember in full — don’t shortchange your timeline. Create space for the little things. Choose coverage that honors the story you’re telling. And work with a team who sees what matters and documents it with care.


Because these aren’t just hours. They’re the framework for a legacy.

And for couples choosing intention over performance, that’s what makes all the difference.