When do you guys shoot most of your formal and set-up shots? Before the ceremony or after? Do you find that most brides don't want to be seen before the ceremony still, or is that a thing of the past? I feel if I could do them before the ceremony, guests wouldn't have to wait so long for the reception.
I believe it's our jobs to help determine the best time. Like many things during the wedding day clients don't know how things can go (eg time). I talk to every client about their plans for the day and offer experienced options. Though I try to make those options fit into a time that I can work with to avoid setting up and breaking down lights when something else is going on.
cordellwillis wrote:
I believe it's our jobs to help determine the best time. Like many things during the wedding day clients don't know how things can go (eg time). I talk to every client about their plans for the day and offer experienced options. Though I try to make those options fit into a time that I can work with to avoid setting up and breaking down lights when something else is going on.
Communication is key.
+1
For us, this is discussed and decided upon during the pre wedding consultation.
Answering the OP's question;
After the ceremony is when I shoot most of them. I have had a few that want to do it before-hand (mostly a tea ceremony) but its uncommon.
You can try and change things to suit you but I think the whole bride not being seen before the ceremony is kind of a roadblock for you.
I shoot almost all formals prior to the ceremony. It takes time to do everything well, and 40 minutes during cocktails is never enough to the best work. If the ceremony is at 6pm, then I would expect the bride and groom to be ready for pics around 4pm at the latest. Spend an 45-60 minutes with them, various locations around the wedding site, and then another 45-60 with bridal party and family added in. Relax for a few and start the wedding. That way everyone is looking fresh, hair, make up, clothing etc. Plus, the B&G can then enjoy the wedding, cocktails and all, in a relaxed manor, not rushed
I make suggestions on what would work best based on the size of the groups, location and time line for the day. But mostly ultimately it is what works for the client. Most of my clients want to do it right after the ceremony.
cordellwillis wrote:
I believe it's our jobs to help determine the best time. Like many things during the wedding day clients don't know how things can go (eg time). I talk to every client about their plans for the day and offer experienced options. Though I try to make those options fit into a time that I can work with to avoid setting up and breaking down lights when something else is going on.
Communication is key.
Yes this..
But I have not had 1 wedding yet where we did any formals before the ceremony. The whole groom seeing the bride before the ceremony is still taboo in my area..
95% of the time the pastor or church coordinator will allow me to set up lights early then stuff them in a room out of the way then simply roll them out and plug in after the ceremony. Set up is less than 5 minutes and we are ready to go with formals..
When you say formals, do you mean any nice posed photos? Or the ones specifically of the Bride and Groom together?
When I was shooting, the Bride and Groom in most cases would not see each other first and we would do something close to the following...
2+ Hrs before Ceremony - Shoot Bride getting ready
2 Hrs before Ceremony - Shoot Formals of Bride and her family and attendants
1+ Hr before Ceremony - Shoot Groom getting ready, waiting
1 Hr before Ceremony - Shoot Formals of Groom and his family and Groomsmen
Try to finish 30 min before ceremony starts.
Ceremony
Photos at altar with Bride and Groom and GM/BM and families
Leave Church for reception
Shoot Bride and Groom together while guests are in cocktail hour at reception site.
Try to steal Bride and Groom for more photos during reception when possible.
Now, if your Bride and Groom don't mind seeing each other before the ceremony, push all the time lines even further back and do some of them after/during the other pre-wedding shots.
That said, It doesn't look like many on here are shooting formals anymore?
