So it's your wedding day and you want to enjoy yourself, say hello to all your guests and enjoy all the great food and music you're paying for, but the photographer keeps interrupting you for photos. By the time the night is over you're so done with taking photos you just want the photographer to go away. When you get the digital images, your displeasure shows in the photos.
So how do you do it? How do you get great photos and still have time to enjoy your day? The answer is in the planning. I've photographed over 2,000 weddings and I've seen it all. I've been behind the scenes for all kinds of weddings with all kinds of people and truly the answer to having great pictures AND having a great time on your wedding day is in the planning.
When I'm working with one of my brides, I make sure I know ahead of time what kinds of photos are important to her and how much time she's budgeted to do them. I guide her with suggestions as to how long it will take to do photos of the two of them, family, and wedding party. All these photos take time. That's why I highly recommend doing a first look. Why?
There are so many great reasons for doing a first look. The most important, is your enjoyment of the day. When you give yourselves extra time and do a first look before the ceremony, you can enjoy your own cocktail hour and be more relaxed, not just hurrying from one thing to the next.
This is how it works. I arrive early to do some preparation photos, detail shots, shots of the bride alone, groom alone, bridesmaids, groomsmen and whatever family is there before the ceremony. Then I set up the first look so that when you first see each other, you're completely alone. I'll have the bride hidden and I'll say to the groom, OK she's ready. He walks up behind her and gives her a little tap on the shoulder as I'm descreetly taking candid images. Maybe you give each other a hug or a kiss and sometimes there's even happy tears as all the emotions of the day come rushing out. Then I give the two of you a few minutes alone together, and the nerves just calm right down. Now the whole day starts off completely differently! You've just seen each other for the first time on your wedding day. You're happy, relaxed and your makeup is still perfect! I take 20-30 minutes walking around with just the two of you, without a whole wedding party starring at you! Then we add in different groups. Roughly 20 Minutes for the wedding party and 15 minutes for each side of the family. You finish taking posed photos about 30 minutes before the ceremony begins so that everybody doesn't see you beforehand and you have time to use the restroom if necessary, reapply makeup if you want and relax. Now when you see each other at the ceremony, you won't be so nervous that you barely remember it.
From that point on, it's mostly photojournalistic candid shots as they're happening and you get to enjoy the cocktail hour, mingle with your friends and family and relax. Now when you make your entrance into the reception you're totally refreshed, ready to eat, drink, dance the night away and have fun! And the bonus is you get amazing, authentic, romantic, fun wedding photos as well because you've taken a little extra time to do it right.
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