Things to consider when planning your wedding photography.

The photographer usually arrives an hour before the wedding & is ready to begin taking pictures 45 minutes before you walk down the aisle.

Flowers need to be delivered so they can be included in the photos. The flower girl, ring bearer, entire bridal party & the parents should be dressed  & ready for pictures before the wedding.

Most wedding timelines do not allow enough time to shoot more than the basic formal groups. An hour is sufficient for this. An hour & a half will allow us time for additional

candlelight or stained glass photos. Two hours can even give us enough time to take the bridal party outdoors (weather permitting) at the church or even to a nearby park. Dont forget to allow time for the guests to leave the church. Will you have a receiving line or will the Bride & Groom usher them out?  Dont forget to inquire if there is another wedding in the church after yours or if Mass is scheduled. Check with your Clergy as to what time you need to leave the church. Be certain that the Bridal party & all family members stay at the church until pictures are finished. The best weddings I have shot have been the ones that planned ample time for their photography, either before the ceremony or between the wedding ending & the starting time of their reception.

The Bride & Groom may consider seeing each other before the ceremony to have formals taken beforehand instead of after the wedding. Check with Clergy about activities that may be scheduled before your wedding. This will allow us time for some outdoor portraits or for you to go directly to your reception after the ceremony. The Bride, Groom, Bridal party & family members can all arrive at the church two & a half hours before the ceremony so that all the formal group portraits can be taken before the guests arrive. Now there is no need for the long delay getting to the reception. Again, Ill say the best weddings Ive shot have been those that have scheduled time for all their photographs.

If you are not having a receiving line, photography should be able to begin 15 minutes after the ceremony ends. When the bride & groom usher out the guests, or you have a receiving line, you should allow 30-45 minutes before photography can begin.

We hope these tips will make your wedding day an enjoyable and memorable occasion.