Full Day Elopement Photographer: Do You Really Need One?

Ah yes. The classic elopement question. Wondering if you really need a full day elopement photographer, or if two hours will totally do the job? You’re not alone… and no, this isn’t a trick question designed to upsell you. Let’s talk about what actually makes sense for your elopement, without the wedding industry guilt trip.

Since deciding to elope you have probably asked yourself these questions:

“Do we need a full-day photographer?”
“Is two hours enough?”
“Are photographers just saying ‘full day’ because they like money?”
“Can we just get the ceremony and dip?”

All valid. All fair. And honestly? The answer is not the same for everyone, which is why I decided to word vomit in this post.

Let’s break it down…no pressure, no wedding guilt, no Pinterest-perfect nonsense.

What Does a Full Day Elopement Photographer Actually Do?

Let’s clear this up because it’s severely misunderstood.

A full-day elopement photographer isn’t just there for 8 hours snapping photos nonstop like a caffeinated raccoon (although, ya girl is definitely caffeinated some). It usually means documenting the entire experience, not just the “I do” part.

Think:

• Slow morning coffee
• Getting ready without a schedule breathing down your neck
• The drive to your location
• Hiking, exploring, getting lost (a little)
• Ceremony
• Celebrating after
• Maybe ending the day with tacos, beer, or watching the sun disappear behind a mountain

It’s storytelling, not speed dating.

When 2 Hours Is Actually Perfect (Yes, Really)

Let’s normalize this: not everyone needs a full day.

Two hours can be AMAZING if:

• You’re having a simple, intentional ceremony
• You already know exactly where you’re going
• You don’t care about getting ready photos
• You want portraits + the ceremony and that’s it in one location
• You have no guests and just the two of you
• You’re eloping locally or somewhere easy to access(no hike)
• You don’t want to do any activities

Two hours works best when you’re clear on what you want and you’re not trying to squeeze an entire adventure and multiple locations into a tight window like it’s a game of Tetris.

Short elopements can still feel meaningful, beautiful, and very you.

No shame. No missing out. No wedding police coming for you.

When a Full Day Elopement Photographer Is Worth It

Now let’s talk about when two hours starts to feel… stressful.

A full-day elopement photographer might be your best friend if:

• You’re eloping somewhere epic (mountains, desert, coastline, national park)
• You want to hike, explore, or move around a lot
• You don’t want to rush anything
• You want photos that feel like a movie, not a checklist
• You’re planning multiple locations
• You care about the in-between moments (and trust me—you will later)
• You want to explore and not be held to a strict schedule

Here’s the thing no one tells you:
The best photos almost never happen during the ceremony.

They happen:

• When you’re laughing because something went wrong
• When you’re walking hand in hand with no one watching
• When you’re quiet together
• When the light changes unexpectedly
• When the pressure is gone

A full day gives those moments room to exist.

Full Day Elopement Photographer vs Short Coverage: What’s the Real Difference?

This is the real question you should be asking.

Do you want your elopement to feel like:

• A meaningful moment you documented
  OR
• An entire experience you lived inside

Neither is wrong. They’re just different vibes.

Two hours feels intentional and efficient.
A full day feels immersive and relaxed.

One is not more “real” than the other.
One is not more “elopement-y.”
And no—you’re not less in love if you don’t want sunrise-to-sunset coverage.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

• Do we hate being on a schedule?
• Do we want this to feel like an adventure?
• Do we want to remember how the day felt—not just how it looked?
• Are we okay if things run late or change?

If yes → full day might be your jam.

If you’re more:

• “Let’s do the thing, get photos, and go celebrate privately”
• “We don’t want a long day”
• “We want simple and sweet”

Then two hours could be exactly right.