5 Things Most Couples Regret Not Including in Their Wedding Photography Coverage
By Delaney Dobson Photography – Wedding Photographer in Bucks County & Beyond
Your wedding day is full of love, energy, emotion, and those blink-and-you-miss-them moments. Even with the best planning, the day moves quickly. One of the most common things I hear from couples after their wedding is:
“I wish we had just a little more photography coverage.”
So today, I want to share the 5 things couples often regret not including in their wedding day photography — and how to avoid feeling the same way.
1. Getting Ready Moments
These are some of the most emotional hours of the day — but also the easiest to overlook when scheduling coverage.
Why it matters:
The way your mom buttons your dress.
Your best friend crying while doing your lipstick.
The nervous excitement before the first look.
The handwritten vows or letters exchanged before the ceremony.
These are the quiet, meaningful moments that set the tone for the entire day.
Even 60–90 minutes of coverage here makes your gallery feel complete.
2. A First Look (or Private Vow Exchange)
Whether traditional or not, setting aside intentional time before the ceremony has become one of the strongest storytelling moments of the day.
A first look:
Calms the nerves
Allows you to connect just the two of you
Frees up your timeline so you’re not rushing portraits post-ceremony
And if you want to keep the aisle reveal moment sacred?
A private vow exchange can offer the intimacy without seeing each other fully.
3. Cocktail Hour Candids
Many couples think these don’t matter — until they see how much they missed.
Cocktail hour is when:
Parents greet lifelong friends
College friends reunite
Kids dance around in tiny shoes
Real personality comes out
It’s relaxed, joyful, full of hugs and laughter.
Having coverage here preserves the community that surrounds your love.
4. Reception Toasts & Dancing
Even if the reception feels “casual,” these are the photos that end up framed, printed, and told as stories years later.
You may want:
Emotional speeches captured
Your partner's expression during your first dance
Guests laughing, singing, twirling, clinking glasses
That moment the dance floor really comes alive
Ending photography coverage too early often means missing the most joyful part of the night.
5. A Few Minutes of Sunset (Golden Hour) Portraits
Golden hour — that warm, glowing light just before sunset — is where the magic happens.
Even 10 minutes outside together can transform your entire gallery.
It’s romantic, calm, intentional, and often the first moment you two get alone all day.
These portraits are the ones that end up:
On your walls
On your holiday cards
In your album
Printed for generations
You deserve those.
So How Do You Make Sure You’re Covered?
When planning your wedding photography timeline, consider:
Start earlier than you think
Plan time for connection, not just checkboxes
Keep at least 20–30 minutes for portraits throughout the day
Allow 1 hour for cocktail hour candids
Make golden hour non-negotiable
If you're unsure — that’s exactly what I’m here to help with.
I’ll walk through your timeline with you and build coverage that feels natural, relaxed, and true to your day.
Let’s Make Your Story Complete
Your wedding day deserves to be remembered in its fullness — the loud moments, the quiet ones, and everything in between.
If you’re planning a wedding in 2026, 2027, or 2028, I’d love to capture it for you.
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