How Long Does It Take to Get Wedding Photos Back (and How to Get Pics Faster)

One of the top things newlyweds look forward to (aside from spending their lives together) is seeing all of the amazing shots from their wedding day. From getting ready in the morning to the fire dance party at the end of the night, every moment is special. But, how long does it take to get wedding photos back from your photographer? 

If waiting weeks to even months for your wedding photos has you feeling anxious, there are a few things you can do to see your special memories sooner (instead of obsessively hitting refresh in your email inbox, wishing for your photos to appear). Here’s what to know about how long wedding photos take to get back and how to get pics faster.  

Average Time to Get Wedding Photos Back

The average turnaround time for wedding photos is 4 to 12 weeks. This delivery time is for digital photos, which are usually sent to your email inbox. For an elopement, the time frame leans toward the shorter end, and multi-day weddings require more time to comb through and edit. Photographers take anywhere from 200 to 3,000+ photos during a wedding, depending on their contracted time.   

For wedding albums or other add-ons from your photographer, this turnaround time may take longer and often requires your input on which photos to include. If you go the DIY route for your album, you can begin working on it as soon as you receive your digital images. Your photographer should give you a delivery time frame for photos and add-ons in their contract. 

Why Does It Take So Long to Get Your Wedding Photos?

How long do wedding photos take? That depends greatly on your photographer, when you get married and how many hours (or days) you’ve contracted for pictures. Here are the top reasons why wedding photos take so long to get back.  

Contracted Hours at the Wedding

The amount of time you contract for photos affects the number of photos your photographer has to edit. Are you hiring a pro for one to two hours for a simple elopement, or are you hosting a multi-day celebration with photo-worthy events throughout an entire weekend? As we mentioned above, photographers take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of shots during a wedding, and they have to comb through every one to find the best for their clients. In short, the more photos they take, the longer it takes to look through each one. On average, expect to receive anywhere from 50 to 75 edited photos per contracted hour from your photographer. 

High-Season Wedding Date

Are you getting married during a popular wedding season or month? That means your photographer is likely booked solid too, often with multiple weddings in the same week. The spring, early summer and fall are the most popular times to get married. If you’re getting married during peak wedding season, your photographer may need more time to edit your photos because they’re working on weddings for multiple clients all at once. 

Your Photographer is Working Part-Time

Hiring someone who does photography as a side hustle is a good way to get wedding photography on a budget, but it also means their turnaround time for photo delivery is a little slower. Pros who work on weddings part-time are also juggling a full-time job and/or raising kids at home. 

Part-time photographers are often a one-person team, so they’re tackling everything on their own without a team to help. While this is great for your wedding budget, you may have to wait a little longer for photos. 

Editing Techniques 

Did you hire your photographer because you adored their portfolio showcasing moody lighting or blurred-action photos? That all requires specific photography and editing techniques that take time to perfect. Even adjusting a photo to a romantic black-and-white version takes more time. 

Photographers crop photos, adjust lighting, sharpen images and more. They’re also experts at retouching your skin, making sure you don’t look oily or washed out, and hiding that pesky blemish that popped up the morning of your wedding. Some pros even swap in open eyes for closed ones in an otherwise great photo. 

How to Get Your Wedding Photos Sooner 

For many couples, the only photos you’ll see right after your wedding are the ones posted to social media. These pictures are compressed to a smaller image size and have low resolution, meaning they’re not ideal for your wedding album. Instead of relying on Instagram posts to see your wedding memories after you tie the knot, here are a few ways to get your pics sooner.   

Use Guestlense to Collect Photos

The best way to see wedding photos right after your event: Use Guestlense to collect guest wedding photos. It doesn’t take weeks or even days to see your gallery. You can access high-resolution images and videos taken by your wedding guests as soon as you’re done celebrating.

It’s also super-easy to set up. In just two minutes, create a custom account with your wedding’s own QR code for simple wedding guest photo sharing. Post your QR code throughout your wedding, from the ceremony programs to the reception tables. All your guests have to do is scan the code, enter their information (no registration required or app to download) and start uploading photos and videos to your account from your big day. 

There’s no limit to how many photos guests can upload, and they can add a meaningful or witty caption to each image. Pick from three budget-friendly package options that start at just under $50. That’s a huge savings when compared to expediting wedding photos from your photographer (more on that later). 

And while we know your professional photographer is sure to take amazing photos of you and your new spouse, collecting candid photos and selfies from guests is a fun way to add personality to your wedding album. Your guests might even capture a moment your photographer missed.

Ask Your Photographer About Preview Photos

Depending on who you hire and their workload, some photographers provide couples with a sneak peek of photos days to a week after the wedding. This can include 10 to 20 high-resolution shots, ranging from your first look and ceremony photos to family portraits and more. Share these photos with friends and family, post to social media and start picking a few favorites for your wedding album. 

Ask your photographer if this is something they offer. If so, make sure it’s included in your wedding photography contract as part of your package. 

See if You Can Expedite the Process 

Talk to your photographer about expediting your wedding photos if getting your full album back quickly is high on your priority list. Keep in mind that this service comes with an extra fee—sometimes 30% to 50% of your contracted package price. Some photographers don’t offer this option, especially if they’re in the middle of a busy wedding season. 

A downside to expedited photos is that your photographer isn’t taking all of the time they need to carefully edit your photos. You may end up paying more for rushed quality images. We recommend enjoying your sneak peek photos and all the great shots your guests upload to your Guestlense account while you wait for your full album to arrive. 

Start Building Your Wedding Album With Guestlense

Why wait 4 to 12 weeks to pick your favorite wedding shots for your wedding album? Start collecting high-resolution photos uploaded from friends and family to your Gueslense account. Find out how to get started and create your private online gallery, allowing loved ones to share all their favorite moments from your wedding day.