Full Day vs. Half Day Photography

Let me be honest with you right from the start...
In 36 years of photographing weddings, I can barely recall a single half day coverage that truly gave a couple everything they wanted. That's not a sales pitch. That's just the truth, and I think you deserve to hear it before you make one of the most important decisions of your wedding planning journey.
So let's talk about it. Really talk about it.

The Biggest Mistake Couples Make
The most common mistake I see? Couples convince themselves they have enough time to get all the photos they want, and they simply don't.
It sounds simple, but it catches people off guard every time. You picture the moments you want. The portraits. The family photos. The quiet shot of just the two of you. And they all feel possible, until the day actually arrives and the clock starts moving faster than you ever imagined.
That gap between what you think you can fit in and what actually happens when the day unfolds, that's where regret lives.

Where Does the Time Actually Go?
Here's what a typical wedding day looks like from my perspective.
I arrive two to three hours before the ceremony. That time is spent documenting the getting ready moments, the nervous excitement, the laughter, the quiet in-between moments that end up being some of the most treasured photos in the album.
Before the ceremony, I like to do a first look, a private moment where the couple sees each other for the first time. It's one of my favorite parts of the day.
Then comes family portraits, about 45 minutes. Bridal party photos, another 45 minutes.
And we haven't even gotten to the ceremony yet.
After the ceremony, I'm capturing the details of the reception room, the energy of cocktail hour. Then the reception itself, and this is where the magic really happens. Parent dances. Toasts. Cake cutting. Dancing. Tears. Laughter. The kinds of emotions that hit you when you least expect them and mean the most when you look back 20 years from now.

You can't manufacture a parent dance twice. You can't recreate the look on a father's face when he sees his daughter for the first time. Those moments happen once, in real time, and my job is to be there when they do.

Here's What I Ask Couples Who Are Considering Half Day Coverage
When someone comes to me leaning toward half day coverage, I ask them one question:
"Do you really think you'll have enough time to get all the photos you want without feeling rushed?"
That question alone usually does the work. Because when couples actually picture the day — really walk through it hour by hour, they start to see how quickly the time disappears.

So When Does Half Day Coverage Actually Make Sense?
It does exist. And in the right circumstances, it can work beautifully.
The ideal candidate for half day coverage is a couple having a smaller, more intimate wedding, typically 50 guests or fewer. Fewer guests means fewer family groupings, a more relaxed pace, and a day with less ground to cover.
If that sounds like your wedding, it's worth a conversation.
But if you're planning a full celebration with a large guest list, a separate ceremony and reception venue, or a long list of must-have photos... please, give yourself the time you need.

What About Budget?
I understand that budget is real. I've been working with families for 36 years and I know that every dollar matters.
I will always do everything I can to take care of my clients. I'm willing to have a conversation and find a way to make things work. But I also can't give my service away, because when I show up for your wedding, I am fully, completely, 100% there for you.
Which brings me to something I want you to know.

I Don't Watch the Clock. I Watch the Moments.
At Korbman & Company Photography, a full day is exactly that... a full day. No eight-hour limit. No ten-hour limit. No photographer glancing at his watch during your first dance.
I stay until the story is told.
That's not something every photographer offers. And I think it makes a difference, not just in the photos you get, but in how you feel on your wedding day. Relaxed. Unhurried. Present.

One Thing I've Heard That Stuck With Me
Over the years, I haven't had many couples tell me they wished they had booked more coverage. But I have heard couples say they wished they had more time between the ceremony and reception for photos.
That's the thing... it's not always about booking more hours. Sometimes it's about planning your timeline smarter. Giving yourself breathing room between the big moments so you're not rushing from one to the next.
If you're in the planning stages, talk to your photographer early. Work through the timeline together. Make sure the day is built around the photos you want, not the other way around.

My Advice, After 36 Years
If I could leave you with just one thought, it would be this:
Give yourself enough time to enjoy your photography — and your day.
Your wedding day moves fast. Faster than you think it will. And the photos you're left with are the only way you'll ever get to go back.
Don't shortchange that.