Sunset photos (timing issue)

fabutan · January 2011

Hi everyone,

So, I'm really confused about timing of sunset photos and how exactly this works... We're in a situation where we'll be serving dinner at around 6:00 p.m. However, sunset on May 6th will be approximately 6:50 p.m., so we're having to sneak away to do sunset photos.

First, how much time (in total) should we put aside for sunset photos? i.e. how much earlier should we be on the beach to start shooting photos? what time do sunset photos generally end (i.e. on 6:50 p.m. on the dot?)?

And for those of you who "snuck away" to do sunset photos, did you have enough time to eat your meal? We'll probably eat our salad and soup courses before sunset photos. Thinking of only the couple being served the main course afterwards. Would it be too weird for guests to be waiting around after their meal for the bride and groom to finish eating?

Sorry about the long-winded message... I'm super confused about this! ...help!

A.a.A. · January 2011

I would probably want to start taking pictures about fifteen minutes before (so 6:35 in your case). Otherwise the sun will still be too high. You can probably keep taking pictures no more than ten minutes after the sun goes down at the max.

I would have your entire meal served to you first (all courses) if possible so you can eat it all before you leave. If you have time, you could socialize with a few tables before you go take your sunset pictures. I would have everyone else's food served normally with no waiting for you guys to come back. To me, that would seem weird to have a big gap between courses!

(ps I'm not sure of your plans for eating/greeting people - I was just going off of what we did. We had our guests seated, then we did a grand entrance, first dance, and blessing of the food. Our table was served food and everyone else went through the buffet. When we finished eating we went around and said hi to everyone!)

fabutan · January 2011

Thanks Aubrey, that's super helpful!! That's exactly the info I was looking for.

Just some clarification - we were thinking guests would be served all their courses (with no gap) while the bride and groom are away doing sunset photos. However, we (the couple only) would be served the main course after returning. I'm just not sure whether it would be weird for the guests to have nothing to do while the two of us are finishing eating... Any suggestions from this standpoint?

Thanks so much!!

jackcody · January 2011

I remember some posts and advice about sunset photos earlier... that you should plan on doing sunset photos about 30 minutes before sunset, and they'll last about 15 minutes. As a photographer put it, sunset time = lights out. So, in your case you'd sneak away from 6:20 to 6:35?

I'd recommend asking your photographer and caterer too...mine were very helpful in giving their two cents for the timeline.

HTH

kaesha · January 2011

We snuck away for about 20 minutes during the salad course about 30 minutes before sunset.

carrieoz_76 · January 2011

I think you'll feel better if you talk to your photog beforehand about the timing questions.

We were in a similar situation. We served appetizers and cocktails at 5:30, then when people were ordering their food and before it was served left for sunset photos at around 6:30. Our photographer asked us beforehand about how long we wanted to do sunset photos for and I said not more than 30 mins. since people would be waiting for us. She was watching the sunset and gave us a heads up when she thought we should step out to make sure we got the best light.

We were seated again by 7, had enough time to get all the shots we wanted in the light we wanted, and I don't know that anyone missed us. When we got back, we did the toast, dinner was served, and on we went.

Sunset photos (timing issue)

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