When couples start comparing wedding photography packages, the question underneath almost always sounds like this:
What am I actually getting?
It’s a fair question.
Wedding photography pricing can vary widely, and most packages are described in hours and numbers. Six hours. Eight hours. One photographer. Two photographers.
But coverage alone doesn’t explain value.
Here’s what’s actually included in a wedding photography package; and what that means in practice.
1. Wedding Day Coverage (6–10 Hours or Full Weekend)
My collections range from six to ten hours of wedding day coverage, with full weekend options available for multi-event celebrations.
The number of hours isn’t about maximizing time. It’s about protecting the story.
Six hours works beautifully for intimate weddings or streamlined timelines.
Eight to ten hours allows for a full narrative arc — preparation through reception.
Full weekend coverage supports layered celebrations like welcome dinners or farewell brunches.
If you’re booking a year or more in advance, I require a minimum of eight hours. This ensures the day has enough breathing room and that nothing meaningful feels rushed.
Four-hour celebrations are available with thoughtful guest count limits and scope.
This structure isn’t about upselling. It’s about making sure the coverage matches the weight of the day.
2. Film and Digital Wedding Photography (Included in Every Collection)
Every wedding photography package includes both film and digital photography.
Film is not an upgrade or add-on. It’s part of how I see and document.
Each roll of film costs approximately $36 before development. A full wedding can require $400 or more in lab and processing fees. Sometimes I develop it myself; sometimes I work with a trusted lab.
Film and digital images are delivered together as one cohesive gallery — not separated into tiers. The goal is a unified story, not divided mediums.
3. Personal Editing; No AI or Outsourcing
All images are edited by me.
I don’t outsource editing. I don’t use AI to accelerate the process.
With how quickly technology can process images now, there’s an assumption that turnaround should be immediate. But thoughtful editing takes time.
Your final gallery is delivered within 6–8 weeks, carefully refined and cohesive.
You also receive a preview gallery shortly after the wedding so you’re not waiting in silence.
4. Timeline Planning and Light Guidance
One of the most overlooked parts of what’s included in a wedding photography package is timeline collaboration.
Every collection includes:
Pre-wedding calls
Two detailed questionnaires (one personal, one logistical)
Direct collaboration with your planner and vendor team
Light guidance for ceremony timing and portraits
If something in your schedule compromises the quality of light — for example, if the sun would be directly behind you during the ceremony at an unflattering angle — I’ll flag it immediately.
When venues allow it, I scout light ahead of time.
This isn’t visible work.
But it protects your photographs before the wedding even begins.
5. Vendor Collaboration
I work closely with planners, coordinators, and creative partners to ensure the day flows cohesively.
This includes communication before the wedding and alignment on timing, layout, and transitions.
Strong collaboration reduces stress and elevates the overall experience.
6. A Thoughtful Second Photographer (When Appropriate)
Some wedding photography packages include a second photographer. Some do not.
A second photographer isn’t automatically necessary. In larger or more layered celebrations, an additional perspective captures parallel moments and guest reactions.
In more intimate settings, a second presence can feel unnecessary.
The decision is based on atmosphere and scale; not assumption.
7. Travel Within Texas
Travel within Texas is covered in my collections.
For weddings outside of Texas or Louisiana, or for bookings more than a year in advance, a minimum of eight hours is required.
8. Capacity Limits and Focus
I cap my calendar at 15 weddings per year.
This allows each couple to receive focused attention before, during, and after the wedding.
It protects editing time. It protects responsiveness. It protects the quality of the work.
9. Albums and Tangible Deliverables (Optional but Recommended)
Albums are available as an add-on and strongly encouraged.
A digital gallery is convenient. An album is permanent.
Album design is collaborative and intentional; creating something that lives beyond a screen and becomes part of your home.
What Wedding Photography Packages Don’t Show on Paper
When couples search “what’s included in a wedding photography package,” they’re often trying to understand cost.
But what’s included isn’t just deliverables.
It’s:
Light protection
Film investment
Personal editing
Timeline architecture
Vendor coordination
Emotional awareness
Capacity limits to preserve quality
You’re not just hiring someone to document hours.
You’re hiring someone to anticipate, protect, and shape how your day will be remembered.
That’s what’s actually included.
Continue Exploring
If you’re in the process of planning, these may help you decide with clarity:
How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do I Actually Need?
A guide to choosing coverage based on the shape and rhythm of your day.
