• Venue: https://athensevents.com/the-chapel-athens/ and https://www.indigoathens.com/
• Planner: https://www.georgiadollevents.com/
• Photo: Ya boyy https://cuencacreative.com/
• Dress: https://www.callablanche.com/store/i-do-i-do-bridal-boutique
• DJ: https://www.mixwirepro.com/
• Makeup: https://www.facebook.com/p/Classic-City-Makeup-100095547125230/

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Planning a wedding (or the coolest freaking destination micro-wedding) comes with about a million decisions. Real talk: one of the most stressful ones is figuring out how many hours of photography you actually need.

But here’s the thing—I don’t believe in rigid, cookie-cutter 6/8/10 hour options. Every couple’s day moves differently, and forcing people into middle-ground packages often leads to rushed photos… or paying for time you don’t even use.

That’s why I only offer two types of coverage for my couples:

✨ Half-day (5 hours) — perfect for destination elopements & micro-weddings
✨ Full-day (12–14 hours) — for traditional or nontraditional wedding days where you want every moment documented

No stress. No guesswork. No, “Do we even need 8 hours or will 6 be enough?”
Just coverage that actually matches real wedding days.

Let’s break it all down.

Why I Don’t Offer 6, 8, or 10 Hour Packages (And Why You’ll Love It)

Short answer: because weddings don’t fit neatly into those crispy ass boxes.

Long answer: most wedding days end up feeling like a chaotic combo of “go go go” + “wait, slow down, this is the best moment ever,” and trying to squeeze that into an odd number of hours usually leads to one thing—you sacrificing moments because the clock is ticking.

The goal is to slow down and be present long enough to feel the weight and significance of whats about to happen. Your wedding is the expression, but your marriage is the point. If we’re too caught up on the logistics on the day of, we end up missing the beauty of that.

Five hours or fourteen hours allows us to do the opposite:
✔ Focus on flow
✔ Capture the story fully
✔ Adapt to real life
✔ Stay present, instead of rushing

Your timeline should serve the experience, not stress it.

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Who Half-Day (5 Hours) is Perfect For

Half-day coverage is ideal for couples saying:
“Hey, we want this to feel intimate, intentional, and low-key without losing the significance of the real WHY.”

Perfect for:
• Courthouse ceremonies
• Downtown Charleston micro-weddings
• Folly Beach elopements
• Garden/park ceremonies with small receptions
• Backyard weddings with only close friends + family

What 5 hours actually covers beautifully:

• Getting ready moments (simple, candid, cozy)
• Ceremony
• Family photos
• Couple portraits (with time to explore + breathe)
• A short celebration afterward (champagne pop, cake cutting, first dance)

This amount of time allows everything to feel relaxed—not rushed, not stretched.

A Sample 5-Hour Elopement Timeline (Charleston Edition)

2:00 PM — Getting Ready + Details
Dress on the bed, vow books, rings, a quiet moment together (or separate). Soft music. No stress. Just vibes.

2:45 PM — First Look
We choose a beautiful downtown alleyway, or maybe under the oaks at White Point Garden.

3:15 PM — Portraits Around Charleston
Golden light filtering through pastel buildings. Quick drive to a second spot, maybe a rooftop or waterfront peek.

4:00 PM — Ceremony
Short, sweet, heartfelt.

4:30 PM — Family Photos + Champagne Celebration
We laugh, we hug, we cheer you on.

5:15 PM — Sunset Portraits
Warm, glowy, cinematic.

6:00 PM — Wrap
You two head to a cozy dinner, and the rest of the evening is yours.

This timeframe feels effortless and complete for small weddings—nothing rushed, nothing missing.

Ready to get married in Banff, Canada or take me with you to get married at the Salt Flats in Utah? My bags are packed! Hit me up and lets put this dang timeline together:
https://cuencacreative.com/contact

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Why Full-Day (12–14 Hours) Matters for Traditional Weddings

If you’re having a full wedding day—bridal party, venue, reception, dancing, transportation, details, everything—you deserve coverage that actually covers the entire story, not just a highlight reel.

Full-day is perfect for couples who value:
✔ Storytelling from start to finish
✔ Less rushing, more being present
✔ Real candid moments (the ones that happen in between)
✔ Wedding albums that feel like a movie

What 12–14 hours naturally includes:

• Full getting ready coverage
• Flatlays + detail work
• First look / private vows
• Wedding party photos
• Ceremony
• Family portraits
• Golden hour portraits
• Cocktail hour candids
• Full reception (toasts, twerking, partying)
• Send-off coverage (sparklers, vintage car, boat exit, whatever feels you)

This is the coverage where nothing gets missed.
No moment slips by.
Everything feels seamless.

A Sample Full-Day Timeline (12–14 Hours)

10:00 AM — Getting Ready Begins
Champagne, robes, the JBL speaker on full blast, makeup, music—just real, candid life.

12:00 PM — Detail Photos + First Look
We find beautiful light and give you two a moment alone.

1:00 PM — Wedding Party Photos
Fun, hype, relaxed. Or lets put something together that looks like a mafia family framed on the mantle.

2:00 PM — Break / Final Touches / Creative Portraits
This is where full-day coverage shines—you get breathing room or creative space to play.

3:30 PM — Ceremony
All the emotions. No rush.

4:00 PM — Family Photos
Quick, organized, painless.

4:30 PM — Cocktail Hour Candids
Guests catching up, cigars being lit, old connections revitalized, the good stuff.

5:15 PM — Golden Hour Portraits
The dreamy, cinematic, vibe-filled shots.

6:00 PM — Reception Begins
Grand entrance, dinner, toasts, dancing, shotgunning beers —everything documented.

10:00 PM — Send-Off
Sparklers, bubbles, boat exit, vintage car—the finale.

10:30–11:30 PM — Coverage Ends
(Depending on your reception schedule. Or head to the bars in your wedding dress? I’ll be there!)

Full-day tells the whole story—sunrise to dance-floor chaos.

Already know your going with the more tradition route of a wedding but the timeline build is stressing you out? Hit me up and lets get this thang poppin! We’ll put together a draft timeline for your big day and catch a vibe doing it too! https://cuencacreative.com/contact

Which One is Right for You?

Here’s the honest truth:
You don’t need every hour under the sun… you just need the right type of coverage.

Choose Half-Day (5 Hours) if:
✓ You want an intimate day
✓ You have fewer than ~25 guests
✓ You care more about the experience than the events
✓ Your celebration is simple, sweet, and intentional

Choose Full-Day (12–14 Hours) if:
✓ You want the complete story captured
✓ You have a wedding party + reception
✓ You want candids from morning to night
✓ You don’t want to feel rushed or cut things short

There’s no wrong choice—just the one that feels like your day.

Still need help figuring it out? Thats what I’m here for! Hit me up here:
https://cuencacreative.com/contact

Final Thoughts (From Your Hype-Man Behind the Lens)

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t defined by hours on a contract.
It’s defined by real moments—your moments—and I’m here to capture them intentionally, honestly, and fully.

Whether you’re eloping barefoot at Folly Beach or throwing the raddest all-night party in downtown Charleston, I’ve built these options to give you exactly what you need, nothing you don’t.

If you’re ready to talk through what your unique timeline could look like, I’d love to help you map it out.

👉 Reach out and let’s build your dream day.
https://cuencacreative.com/contact

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💥 FAQ:

Weddings are never one-size-fits-all — and neither is photography coverage. I build timelines and coverage around your actual story, not the industry’s idea of what your wedding “should” look like. Below are the questions couples ask me most when deciding between my Half Day (5 hours) and Full Day (12+ hours) wedding collections. If you’re feeling stuck, confused, or wondering what you truly need, these FAQs will help you get clarity without the overwhelm — and always with intention, presence, and space for your real moments to breathe.

Q: How do you help us build a timeline for our day if we choose a Half or Full Day?

A: We build it together — side by side, not through a template. I help you structure your day so it feels relaxed, intentional, and focused on presence, not hustle. From the details and layflats before your hair and make up are even done to the last dance drop, and sometimes even to the after party — we prioritize moments that matter most to YOU. I always prefer to build these timelines in person over dinner or drinks and often times, we schedule the evening after we finish your engagement photos (which are included in my full wedding day package).

Q: How many hours of photography do most couples actually book?

A: There’s a range clients consider — from half-day (4–6 hrs) to full day (8–12+ hrs) — and that’s because every couple’s celebration is unique. On average, industry pros often say around 8 hours covers most traditional wedding days without stress, but bigger timelines need more space to breathe.
But here’s the thing in my world: I don’t want you worrying about fitting your love story into a number. I want to fit your moments — the hype from your bridal party, that whisper from your mom, the hugs and wild dance circles — and that’s why I structure around intentional Half and Full Day coverage, not arbitrary middle values.

Q: I heard some photographers recommend at least 8 hours of coverage. Why do you start half days at 5 hrs?

A: Yup — lots of pros recommend something like 8 hours as a general start because that often fits “traditional” weddings on most timelines. In my opinion, still pretty tight.
But you know what I’ve seen too? Beautiful days that don’t follow tradition — micro weddings, intentional elopements, getting married on the cliff side in Italy with no on there but just you and your partner – In those cases, having purposeful 5-hour coverage gives you all the images that matter most, without redundant hours staring at the clock.

Half Day is crafted to what matters, not what’s typical. Again, 5 hours is great for elopements, whereas 8 hours is MINIMUM for traditional larger weddings.

Q: Is full day coverage “just hours on a clock”?

A: Nah — not in my book. A full day isn’t a time slot you pay for, it’s a narrative arc. It’s the quiet of getting ready, the notes from your best friend before you walk down the aisle, the laughter in portraits, the golden hour pause, and the late-night party. The reason industry pros point toward extended coverage (8–12+ hrs) is precisely because life doesn’t stop for an artificial cutoff.
That’s exactly why my Full Day exists: so nothing meaningful gets left on the editing floor because a timer beeped. Need more hours from me? Lets do it – don’t worry about the hours. Im there. Just don’t hold me hostage for 16 hours… please.

Q: What’s a mistake couples make when choosing coverage length?

A: The biggest one? Choosing based on what sounds affordable instead of what feels emotionally complete. Many couples think “I’ll save money if I pick fewer hours,” and then later worry they missed candid dances, golden hour portraits, or late-night bangers!
Coverage isn’t an expense — it’s investment in memory. You don’t want to look back and wonder, What if we had just one more hour?