Multi-day wedding in Cambridge at Gonville & Caius College

What Is Multi-Day Wedding Coverage and Is It Worth It?

July 25, 2025

Helpful Tips, Weddings

What I loved about my own wedding included more than just the day itself. It might have been exhausting, but the day beforehand prepping everything with family and friends that had travelled far and wide was really special. Not only that, the lunch the day afterwards included just immediate family and reminiscing the events of the day before was a joy. See, when you picture your wedding photos your mind goes straight to the ceremony, reception or dancing. But in reality, like mine, your wedding story often begins the moment your guests arrive and doesn’t quite end until after the next morning.

That’s where multi-day wedding photography comes in. It’s designed for couples planning more than just a wedding day but for those imagining a wedding weekend extended celebration that deserves to be documented.

Whether you’re planning a relaxed welcome dinner at Updown Farmhouse in Deal, or a luxurious weekend wedding at Histon Manor near Cambridge, this post explores everything you need to know about full-weekend photography coverage. And more importantly, whether it’s worth it for you.

Multi-day wedding in Cambridge at Gonville & Caius College

Contents

What Does Multi-Day Wedding Photography Actually Include?

Put simply, multi-day wedding coverage means your wedding isn’t confined to one calendar day – and neither is the photography. It’s designed to document your entire experience, from the first hug at the welcome drinks to the last hug at brunch the morning after.

This sort of coverage doesn’t follow the template of a typical wedding day. Sometimes it means photographing a low-key rehearsal dinner the evening before your ceremony. Other times it’s an extensive plan: pre-wedding portraits, family vegan BBQs, poolside cocktails, morning-after walks, or farewell coffees in the drawing room of a grand country house. You’ve got to use your imagination a little!

It’s a gentle, observational way of building a fuller luxurious story. You’ll likely be seeing people you haven’t hugged in years (hugging’s a big one for me!). Capturing those small, in-between moments can be just as meaningful as the wedding day itself.

Which Parts of a Wedding Weekend Can Be Photographed?

If you’re planning a full weekend wedding celebration, you might wonder which parts are actually worth documenting. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options I’ve photographed:

Pre-Wedding Events

  • Welcome drinks: Often held the evening before, usually a relaxed and joyful way to greet guests as they arrive.
  • Rehearsal dinners: A more intimate evening spent with your closest people, full of speeches, toasts, and calm before the wedding day.
  • Studio portrait sessions: Ideal time to capture couples or family photos in a relaxed setting, without the time pressures of the wedding day.

The Wedding Day

  • Full-day coverage: Naturally includes morning prep, ceremony, portraits, dinner, speeches, dancing and late-night moments.

Post-Wedding Events

  • Brunches or garden parties: These slower-paced gatherings are perfect for capturing laughter, conversations, and emotional farewells. Updown Farmhouse has just put in a new pool which would be ideal for this!
  • Day-after portraits: A chance for you both to dress back up or enjoy a shoot that’s more editorial and relaxed.

Venues like Ripple Court Estate, Ormseby Manor, and Bore Place lend themselves beautifully to this kind of flow. You’ve got the setting, the space, and the time to fully savour it.

Is Multi-Day Coverage Only for Destination Weddings?

Absolutely not. While multi-day photography is often associated with destination weddings abroad, I’ve seen a rise in couples choosing weekend-long celebrations right here in the UK.

Other places like Histon Manor, or your own family estate with a luxury marquee are just as well suited. More and more venues across Kent, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk are offering multi-day hire options, with accommodation for guests and relaxed itineraries spread over several days.

The beauty of staying local is that it creates space for the wedding to breathe. No rushed airport arrivals or scrambling to squeeze everything into one tight schedule. It’s especially perfect for couples with guests travelling from abroad, or who simply want to make the most of the celebration they’ve spent months (or years) planning.

Why Couples Are Choosing Full Weekend Coverage in 2025 and 2026

We’re living in a time where experiences matter more than ever. Remember covid? Yeah, not a nice experience. Post-pandemic weddings aren’t just single-day events anymore, they’re long-anticipated gatherings of people we love, often for the first time in years.

In anticipation for 2026, I’ve noticed couples are intentionally crafting multi-day wedding coverage experiences. Think pre-wedding yoga at Bore Place, swimming then dinner under the stars at Updown Farmhouse, or slow Sunday walks through Ripple Court’s grounds. These aren’t just background moments but part of the reason your guests will remember your wedding as something truly special.

As a photographer, these extended celebrations allow me to work quietly in the background and build a more meaningful connection with your story. If I have 8 hours on one day to connect with your family it is doable, but much easier during multi-day celebrations. The priority is understanding your people, your relationships, and documenting it in a way that feels personal.

Planners I Trust for Seamlessly Curated Multi-Day Weddings

Planning a multi-day wedding often means getting some help, because it’s pretty hard to do DIY. Whether you’re hosting welcome drinks on the Friday, a relaxed Sunday lunch, or managing guest accommodation across an estate, a skilled planner makes all the difference. They bring clarity, creativity and calm to what can otherwise feel overwhelming. Have you done one before? Probably not, and they have done lots.

If you’re planning something extended, here are a few planners I’ve worked with and genuinely recommend for their ability to deliver.

Occasion Queens: masters of one the day coordination. They’re known for their immaculate attention to detail and calm professionalism. They are experts at coordinating the day as it happens and helping with the plans you have made.

Lydia (Ella Parisa) brings a modern, editorial eye to her weddings and is fantastic at creating stylish, intimate spaces that feel fresh yet welcoming. She’s especially good at the planning stage and creativity, weaving in personal details across multiple events.

Sommy from M Fiore Events specialises in elegant, purposeful weddings that feel luxurious without being overdone. Her thoughtful approach is a brilliant match for multi-day celebrations. Particularly great for those weddings hosted in family homes or rural estates where flow and guest experience really matter.

Pearline Events are equally brilliant, blending warmth and creativity with an intuitive sense of structure. Their weddings always feel genuine, grounded and full of feeling, even when spread over several days and venues. She’s also a Christian like me, so has that value beneath her work ethic.

Each of these planners not only understands the complexity of multi-day wedding coverage, but also how to make it feel seamless for everyone involved.

What’s the Difference Between Multi-Day Wedding Coverage and a Second Shooter?

Two totally different equally valuable things to consider for your wedding day.

A second shooter is there to help cover more ground on your wedding day itself. They might photograph the groom’s morning prep, get extra ceremony angles, or assist with guest portraits while I’m focused elsewhere.

Multi-day wedding coverage, on the other hand, is all about length of time with you. It gives us room to slow down. We’re not necessarily just capturing more angles but we’re capturing more moments, across multiple days. There’s no rush to get it all in during 12 hours. You’ll get a truer sense of your entire celebration, and the emotional arc of the whole experience.

Many of my couples in Kent and Cambridge choose both: a second shooter for the wedding day, plus extended coverage across the weekend. It’s the best of both worlds. It’s worth noting that I never take on more than one wedding a week, which gives you the option to have me around for more than one day.

How Much Does Multi-Day Wedding Photography Cost in the UK?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, because your weekend might include two hours of coverage the evening before, or it might span three full days of events.

That said, couples often invest £5,000 to £8,500+ for multi-day wedding coverage, depending on how much time is involved, whether travel or accommodation is needed, and the type of final artwork or luxury albums included.

I always tailor the quote based on what’s right for your wedding. Some venues – like The Old Kent Barn, where I’ve been a recommended photographer for over five years, might only need extended coverage for a welcome dinner and morning prep. Others, like Ormseby Manor or Histon Manor, where guests stay on-site, benefit from a more immersive approach.

You’re not just paying for more hours of coverage. You’re investing in a deeper storytelling experience, one that genuinely reflects the feel of your entire weekend.

Is It Worth It? Here’s Who Multi-Day Coverage Is Best For

Multi-day wedding coverage isn’t for everyone. But it’s perfect if:

  • You’re hosting multiple events over two or more days
  • You want more documentary-style, natural coverage of the whole experience
  • You value photographs of your people as much as the details
  • You’ve chosen a venue that encourages slow living and togetherness

If you’re planning a wedding weekend in Kent or Cambridge, especially at venues like Updown, Ripple Court, or Bore Place, chances are you’ve already invested in creating a meaningful, slow celebration. Multi-day coverage ensures that all of it, not just the ceremony, is beautifully remembered.

My Approach to Luxury Wedding Photography

I’ve been photographing weddings professionally since 2012, after starting my career in fashion and portraiture. That foundation taught me how to handle any lighting or setting confidently. That said, over time I found myself drawn to the quieter, more emotional side of photography. Weddings with meaning. The relationships and unposed moments that show people as unique as they are.

My style blends gentle documentary coverage with editorial style. You won’t find me shouting or staging artificial moments. I photograph in a way that lets your day unfold without interruption. And when it comes to pre-wedding gatherings or post-wedding brunches, I often carry just one small camera (no bulky kit) so I can mingle with your guests, quietly capturing the energy of the room.

I also incorporate 35mm film into many of my wedding stories. Not for every frame, but where it fits in the moments that are less rushy. Film photography brings something different to your gallery. It feels nostalgic and my clients love it.

This combination of experience, intuition and light-footed coverage is what makes multi-day storytelling possible. Whether I’m with you for just the rehearsal dinner or the full wedding weekend, I aim to reflect the atmosphere with honesty, care and creativity.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Wedding Weekend Coverage

Here are a few practical tips to help your photography feel seamless and honest across multiple days:

  • Build in quiet time: Let there be pauses between events. These are where some of the most meaningful moments happen.
  • Trust your photographer: The more comfortable you feel, the more authentic your gallery will be. You will have discussed soft starts, finishes and expectations well in advance.
  • Avoid over-scheduling: Give space for spontaneity. Laughter around the kitchen island often means more than the formal group photo.
  • Let your guests be themselves: You don’t need every moment staged. The beauty is in the natural flow of it all.

A good photographer will know when to step in and when to step back. That balance only grows stronger when we spend more than just a few hours together.

Final Thoughts and Booking Information

Weddings will always be celebrated in one day, but it’s a luxury to get to celebrate for longer. So, if you’re planning a wedding weekend in Kent, Cambridge, or anywhere nearby, and want those surrounding moments captured with the same care as the wedding day itself, I’d love to hear more.

Multi-day coverage isn’t about doing more but spending more time with loved ones.

I’m fortunate to be recommended by venues across Kent and Cambridge and have photographed celebrations at estates, manors, and farmhouses with stories worth telling well beyond the ceremony.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you’re welcome to get in touch. Let’s talk about how your wedding weekend could look on camera.