WP only in some pictures?

csuave

We are not doing a first look so I am trying to figure out a timeline and how many locations we can fit in for picture taking.  We will likely take most of our group shots with WP at the church and have some girls only or guys only photos while gettting ready.  Then we want to go to a couple of very scenic spots close by in the city.  It might be easier to have just the two of us drive to these locations and not take the 8 others in the WP.  They would go to the hotel for the before reception cocktail time.  What do you all think of not taking the WP to the scenic locations?  For those already married did you use many group photos from scenic locations in your wedding album?  Do you think the WP will feel excluded?

itzMS

Too many pictures in between and keeping your guests waiting is not a good idea.

I'd suggest keeping the wedding party together. You really should limit pictures to an hour, max. It's generally okay for the wedding party to miss cocktail hour, but anything else is excessive.

OliveOilsMom

Will there be any place at your venue that the photographer can take some photos of you guys with your WP?  You will probably want some pictures with everyone in the WP, even if they are just done at the church, possibly outside on the grounds?

Then just go with your new H to the scenic pictures out on the town.  It will make it faster for you guys to get to the reception by the end of cocktail hour.

FWIW, our timeline had our photographer from 3-11, and no first look.  The 2nd shooter was dropped off with the guys to get all of the guys photos and H's immediate family photos.  Then the main photographer came to my house and got all us girls.  We all went to the church, then immediately following our ceremony, H & I went outside for some photos of just us.  Then came back in the church for family photos, then went to our venue to finish all of our other photos including WP, more family shots, and more of just us.  We made it to the last 15 minutes of our cocktail hour.  Try to have as many pictures done as possible before the ceremony, if you don't want a first look, that will be less to do after and faster you can get to your reception.

[Deleted User]

I just told my photographer the locations of our ceremony/getting ready, and the time concerns and he gave me a schedule of photos for first look, WP, parents etc. Ask your photographer, chances are they have done this many times and can help to figure out how much time is need and the logistics!

Jen4948

Don't get scenic pictures done between the ceremony and the reception.  It extends the time between, possibly into a "gap," and that's not cool because it keeps your guests waiting.

If you need to get those done, do them before the ceremony or after the reception.

gottahavashorti

The cocktail hour should be going on while you are off taking pictures to avoid having a gap other than the travel time guests will need to get from the church to the reception venue.  It's normal for the B&G to not attend the cocktail hour.

We didn't see each other before the wedding, so we did girls only and guys only pictures beforehand, family & wedding party pics right after the ceremony, then our family & wedding party headed to the cocktail hour while we did couple pictures.  The group wedding party pictures didn't take long.  Honestly, after smiling for pictures for a half hour before the ceremony and a half hour after, I was ready to quit taking pictures!  We ended up making it to the last 20-30 minutes of the cocktail hour.

The other option if you're concerned about time is to do a private "first look" with the photographer so you can do the majority of your photos before the wedding and just a few couple photos after the ceremony.  A lot of photographers and brides love first looks.

ETA: Our wedding was outdoors so the background was scenic, but I've generally seen all of the WP pics indoors for church weddings and they always turn out lovely.