EP 141 - Everything That Goes Into Photographing a Multi Day Wedding
Hi everyone! I'm so excited for this week's episode because I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it's actually like to photograph a multi day wedding. I just got home from one, and I thought it would be fun to walk through everything that happens before I ever press the shutter, what changes when you're documenting multiple days instead of one, and why I honestly love them so much.
Why I Love Multi Day Weddings
I know this might sound crazy, but I genuinely love the chaos of a wedding day.
And when you stretch that over two or three days, you get so much more than just extra coverage. You get the full story.
One of the biggest things I see is photographers assuming couples won't book multi day coverage. But honestly, I think a lot of photographers just aren't offering it. If couples don't know it's an option, they can't choose it.
The welcome party, rehearsal dinner, family hangs, beach bonfires, brunches... those moments become some of the most meaningful photos from the entire weekend.
The Work Starts Before You Ever Leave
A multi day wedding starts long before you get on the plane.
If I haven't shot film in a couple weeks, I'm testing every camera. I'm making sure my flashes are working, batteries are charged, lenses are clean, and everything is packed before I leave.
Travel takes planning too. I'll usually book flights early, rent a car, and try to arrive with enough time to actually experience where I am.
That might sound unnecessary, but I love getting a feel for the city. I'll grab coffee, walk around, check out neighborhoods, and pay attention to the vibe. Every place has its own personality, and I think that naturally influences how I photograph a wedding there.
Why the First Day Matters So Much
One of my favorite parts of multi day weddings is that I get to know everyone before the wedding day even starts.
By the time I'm photographing the actual wedding, I've already met the parents, siblings, best friends, and bridal party. They've seen me with a camera, they're comfortable around me, and it doesn't feel like a stranger showed up to document one of the biggest days of their lives.
People relax faster, trust you more, and the photos end up feeling way more natural.
Don't Forget Your Team
If you're photographing multiple days, don't forget about your second shooter.
These weekends are long, and having someone you trust makes a huge difference. Not just because they can photograph different moments, but because they help carry the workload, keep an eye on timelines, swap batteries, grab gear, and make sure nothing gets missed.
A great second shooter isn't just taking photos. They're helping the entire weekend run smoothly.
The Wedding Day Flies By
People always ask me why couples book 12 hour coverage.
Honestly? Sometimes 12 hours still doesn't feel like enough.
When you have a full wedding weekend, every event builds on the next one. There's so much emotion, so many relationships, and so many little moments happening all at once.
My goal isn't to force moments. It's to pay attention and capture what's already unfolding.
That's what makes wedding photography so fun to me.
Are Multi Day Weddings More Stressful?
People ask me this all the time.
Honestly... I think they're more fun.
Yes, they're more work. There's more planning, more logistics, more editing, and more time away from home.
But you also build better relationships, tell a more complete story, and create photographs that simply aren't possible when you only show up for one day.
By the end of the weekend, it feels like you've actually lived a small chapter of someone's life instead of just documenting one event.
And that's probably my favorite part of the job.
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