When is the best time to take wedding pictures?...

Discussions for the bride, by the bride...

When is the best time to take wedding pictures?

I don't want my groom to see me before the wedding, and I'm worried about holding up the reception while we take pictures. Does anyone have suggestions on the best time to get the photo's taken?

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10 RESPONSES

stacey
September 23, 2008

I used photography of orlando .com they helped change the time of our wedding to sun set from mid day for better pictures. stacey.

SERENITEA CATERING (Vendor Comment)
September 18, 2008

Setting up a Cocktail Hour so that you can sneak off and do your photos, and then your guests are free to roam and snack, drink, and socialize while you are away. I would not recommend more than an hour to do your photos as your guests are waiting for your return to traditionally start the buffet or sit down meal. Remember, eat on your wedding day!

JEANNE MARIE PHOTO (Vendor Comment)
July 30, 2008

I'd like to add to David's comment. Your Wedding day is one day. The photography lasts a lifetime! What a wonderful opportunity to have a romantic tryst before the ceremony! It's still a surprise when he sees you, you get the luxury of time before the ceremony, and you can then relax and enjoy your party.

HAWAII WEDDINGS AND EVENTS (Vendor Comment)
January 18, 2008

The "reveal" ceremony works great especially if you have a limited time for the reception or you don't want your guests to be waiting a long time for you.

Alternatively, I'll work out the schedule with photographer to take pictures with bride/bridal party and her family while the groom is kept away. Then the groom and his attendants and family take pictures before the ceremony while the ladies can freshen up before the wedding.

By taking some pictures before the ceremony, then you only need to do all of the group pictures and couple pictures afterwards.

Also take note of sunset time so the program can be structured to get guests inside the reception and they can get started with meal service while the bride and groom get taken away for about 15 minutes to capture their sunset pictures and have a few minutes for themselves.

DAVID MURPHEY PHOTOGRAPHY (Vendor Comment)
November 22, 2007

I'd like to expand on the idea of an earlier post about doing a "reveal" ceremony. The actually work really well and can be very romantic. Here's how I've done them in Hawaii.

You and your groom choose a place to meet, somewhere private on the property where you're getting ready. Let's say, a coconut tree on the far side of the hotel lawn. He waits there, and you make a grand entrance walking across the lawn to greet him. The neat thing is that you do this just by yourself (no family or wedding party). It's the same WOW factor as having him see you for the first time at the ceremony, but better, because you can hug each other, kiss and tell him how great he looks. Take around 5 minutes or so to catch up on the day (by yourselves). Then, your family and wedding party can join you for photos when you're ready.

The 3 great things about doing it this way are - You get to start your wedding day together (remember, weddings are a team sport). You don't have to rush through your photos (less stress). And, the time between the ceremony and reception will be a shorter wait for your guests. Or, you can hang just out with your friends and family during cocktail hour.

Best wishes for your wedding planning.

MEMORIES IN MOTION (Vendor Comment)
October 22, 2007

I strongly believe you should wait for the wedding to see each other. Brings back memories.... :-)
Do all the photos you can before, then as everyone is heading to the reception, do all the rest. As long as all know who would be part of that batch know before the wedding to quickly get ready for the photos, it shouldn't take too long. Assuming the photographer knows what he/she will be taking, it shouldn't take too long and you won't get to the reception too late.
I love putting photos together onto a DVD (that's what my business is all about) and I know that as you look at photos of your special day, you'll love remembering that
first time you saw one another. ENJOY!

SERENITEA CATERING (Vendor Comment)
October 6, 2007

I forgot one thing, ask the caterer to pack your dinner for you while it's still fresh.

SERENITEA CATERING (Vendor Comment)
October 6, 2007

Have your individual sessions first, so that the groom doesn't see you before the wedding. Bridesmaids and mothers. Father of the bride and family, your individual session, his and the groomsmen, and then when the reception starts, go off together and do the couple ones and the ones with the wedding party and family.

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL (Vendor Comment)
September 5, 2007

I have had brides do pictures in several different ways. it is completely understandable that you want to wait until the actual ceremony to see each other. For this, I would speak with your wedding coordinator to set up times before hand to get all the pictures done that you can without having to actually see each other. These would include bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and any others that do not involve both of you being in the picture. Then after the ceremony, the only ones left are the ones with both.

The other option that is becoming more popular is to do a sort of reveal ceremony before the actual ceremony. The photographer and coordinator would set up a special time where the bride and groom first see each other. You would have pictures of that and since it is before the actual ceremony, most of the pictures could be taken before hand.

Whatever you decide, do what will make you happiest and congratulations.

When is the best time to take wedding pictures?

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