Do I need a wedding photographer at my wedding all day?

Do I need a wedding photographer at my wedding all day?

You may be asking yourself, "Do I need a wedding photographer at my wedding all day?"

Short answer? Yeah, probably.

But let’s break it down properly because I get it. Not everyone wants a camera in their face for 10 hours straight. Especially if you're planning something relaxed, outdoorsy, and totally you.

If you’re sitting there thinking, “We’re not even that into being photographed... do we really need someone there all day?” you’re not alone. A lot of the couples I work with feel the exact same. But here’s the thing: unless you’re a model or used to being on camera, it takes time to relax. I mean properly relax. By the time you do, the ceremony’s probably done and dusted, and if your coverage ends an hour after that... well, that’s when the good stuff starts.

Full day coverage tells the full story

Weddings aren’t just a ceremony and a few posed photos after. They’re about your mates playing beer pong at 11am while you’re getting your hair done. Your nan sneaking you a tissue before you head down the aisle. The quiet chat between you two when no one’s looking. The dancefloor carnage after a few too many Jägerbombs.

If you’re only having someone for a couple of hours, yes you’ll get some lovely photos but you’ll probably feel like something’s missing when you look back.

"Our budget’s tight, though. Is it worth it?"

Yep. 100%. This isn’t me being biased, it’s just experience. It’s one of the few things you actually get to keep from your wedding day (other than your spouse, hopefully). And it’s the one thing that captures everything. Not just what you experienced, but the moments you missed too. Especially later on when you’ve had a few and things start getting a bit blurry. Important Things to Consider Before Booking a Wedding Photographer

It’s not about size

Even if your wedding is small and laid back, there’s still loads happening. You getting ready, exchanging gifts or little notes, quiet moments between guests. The size of your wedding doesn’t matter. The story’s still there. And full day coverage means nothing gets missed.

(Also, full day doesn’t have to mean midnight. It’s more about being there for your full story. However long that needs.)

Getting ready is part of the story

You might think, "We’re not doing much in the morning, just getting ready with a few mates," but those mates? They’re there for a reason. You’ve chosen them to be part of that moment, and having photos of that is something future-you will be glad for. Promise.

Want natural photos? Then don’t rush it.

If you want natural, unposed photos (which most of my couples do), you need time. Time to forget the camera’s even there. Time to be yourselves. Also, if you’re not seeing each other before the ceremony, half the day’s gone before you’re even in the same room. And weirdly, loads of couples don’t actually spend that much time together on the day unless they make time. Having a photographer around gives you a few excuses to sneak off together.

The whole storytelling thing isn’t fluff

When I say full day lets me tell the full story, I mean it. It’s not just some arty waffle. Every wedding’s different. There’s little traditions, random chaos, emotional side glances and a full day means I can catch all of it. So when you look back at your photos, it’s not just what happened. It’s how it felt.

"Will we get sick of the camera though?"

Not if I do my job right. I’m not in your face all day. I hang back. I blend in. Half the time, people don’t even realise they’ve been photographed until they see the gallery. Plus I’m not just pointing the camera at you. I’m capturing everyone else too.

"Can’t our guests just take photos later on?"

They can. And I always say go for it. Get those phone pics too. But phone cameras (as good as they are) still can’t touch pro gear. They’re fine for socials and small prints, but if you want something for the wall? Something that actually looks like you and not a blurry screenshot? That’s where full day pro coverage wins.

My favourite part of the day?

The evening. without a shadow af a doubt. Everyone’s let loose, no one cares anymore, and that’s when the real moments happen. I get my favourite photos then. The ones that get talked about for years and if you only opt for a shorted day, then there's a chance all this can be forgotten about - Especially if a few drinks have been had throughout the day!

"What about the boring bits though?"

Even during dinner when things are quieter, there’s still stuff going on. Kids running around. Guests nipping outside for a smoke or a laugh. Those little candid moments are what turn your gallery from nice to something that feels real.

So, do I need a wedding photographer all day at my wedding?

If you want the full story, the real moments, and the stuff you didn’t even know happened, yeah. You do.

I’m based in North Wales and shoot weddings across North Wales, Cheshire, Manchester, and Liverpool. If you’re planning something relaxed, outdoorsy and are down for a bit of a laugh, get in touch. Let’s make sure you don’t miss anything from your day!