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Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

How much time for after ceremony photos??

Hi ladies.

My wedding is in a month and I just had my final meeting with our photographer. We're planning to take the photos that don't require me and my fiance to see each other before the ceremony, but I'm really, really nervous that we won't have enough time to take the rest of the pictures between the ceremony and reception. When we were deciding on a time for the ceremony (the reception starts at 7:30pm), I suggested 5:30pm so that we'd have time to take photos. But my mother essentially told me that I was being selfish, that our guests would have to sit around and wait for too long if I did that. So I didn't and set the ceremony for 6pm, and I'm really regretting listening to her now. Now even if everything/everyone is on time, the ceremony is over by 6:20 and the receiving line by 6:35, we'll only have 25 minutes to take photos before we need to leave for the reception!! And we couldn't afford to have a cocktail hour, so if we're late we're eating into our 4 hour reception.

What do you all think? We're not interested in taking a ton of posed photos (we took a ton of engagement photos which we love), but I feel like it will be completely impossible for us to not miss at least 30 minutes of the reception we paid so much money for. UGH.

Re: How much time for after ceremony photos??

  • edited December 2011
    There's no use fretting over what you can't change.  You already have printed the invites with 6, so you either take more photos earlier in the day (or on a different day completely), or you make it work in the 25 minutes that you have.  

    You didn't mention if the after-ceremony photos are of just the two of you or a large wedding party; the more people you add, the longer it will take--that's just the way it goes.  You and your photographer will have to be firm with people to let them know that photos are going to be done and such-and-such time and they can't be late or dawdle!

    That said, save yourself some time by not changing settings a lot, and make sure that you and your photographer are both clear are what people/poses need to be done in this time period.  A little organization and communication will go a long way, and then you can head off and enjoy the rest of your evening.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Are you completely against seeing your fiance before the ceremony? That way you can get ALL your pictures done before the ceremony.  The first look pictures can be really romantic.  And you can go straight from ceremony to receiving line/reception.

    Your mom is right. Do not leave your guests sitting more than just a few minutes if you will not be able to offer a cocktail hour.
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