I’ve decided to start a new series called Friday FAQs. Every Friday I will post answer(s) to…you guessed it, Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have a question that you would like to submit please e-mail me! Feel free to also chime in on the questions by leaving a comment (side note-my Google analytics tells me lots of people are ready this blog…please leave a comment and let me know you were here or what you think!!).
Okay-let’s get started with FAQs.
By far the question I get asked the most is, “How much time do we need to take pictures the day of the wedding?”.
Short Answer: Start at least an hour and a half before the ceremony and plan for at least an hour and a half between the ceremony and the reception.
Long Answer:
I like to start about an hour and a half before the ceremony. This allows plenty of time for getting ready pictures and documenting the ceremony set-up.
Many couples are now choosing to see each other before the wedding, this is called a “First Look”. This allows more time to get pictures of the two of you before the ceremony (and before family and friends overtake you) and this also cuts down on the time needed after the ceremony to take pictures.
Remember Paul and Sue’s first look…LOVE it!
If you are going to do a first look then I would start shooting approximately two and a half hours before the ceremony.
After the ceremony I like to have an hour and a half to shoot the family portraits, bridal party and bride and groom. Especially if the ceremony is not at the same location as the reception please add travel time plus 15 minutes. For some reason the bridal party always seems to go MIA when we go from the ceremony to the reception location.
If you have decided to do a first look then you only need an hour between ceremony and reception (plus travel time plus 15 min..don’t cheat here!). You may be asking why I only cut the time down by a half hour. Well-I want to get as many pictures of the bride and groom as possible. Plus, you are married now! Let’s celebrate and take more pictures!
You should coordinate your reception timeline (toasts, first dance, cake cutting etc) with your DJ. It is very important to let your DJ know how long your photographer is contracted until. 6 hour package starting at 2:30pm, “Hey Mr. DJ, my photographer leaves at 8:30pm”. They will make sure that all of your events are done before the photographer leaves.
On a side note-I highly recommend hiring a professional DJ. I know it’s tempting to ask a friend to bring their ipod and keep the place rocking, but a professional DJ can make or break your reception. Timing, song selection, and experience makes the difference between an empty dance floor verses a reception people are talking about for years to come!
Paul and Sue hired SKM Entertainment and their reception was crazy fun!
That's all for today's FAQ. If you found this helpful or would like to add your own imput...leave a comment!!
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