In my last blog post, which you can view *here*, I covered getting ready and tips you can do to make the most of your prep shots! Today, I’ll be discussing everything that comes after.
Choosing your Ceremony Time
This is not something most couples put into consideration (I, myself, was guilty of this). You’re engaged, you’re planning your wedding and you just want to get married! Well, your ceremony time can greatly impact a couple of things. First, it’ll affect how much coverage you require from your Calgary wedding photographer. Second, it’ll affect your portraits (as well as the ceremony itself, if you’re outside).
I usually suggest couples leave roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours between the end of their ceremony and the beginning of their reception (not including cocktail hour). I’m able to efficiently capture family portraits, wedding party and bride/groom portraits (as well as factoring in travel time to a new location in) within that amount of time. If you have a 5 to 6 hour gap between your ceremony and reception, you’ll not only require more time from your photographer, but your guests and wedding party *may* (I’m not saying they will) get bored and wonder what to do with all that time in between.
Another thing to factor in if you’re getting married outside, is where the sun will be on the day of your wedding (if it’s not overcast and/or raining). If you’re getting married anytime from 12pm to 2pm outside in the summer, you run the risk of having the sun right above your heads. Not only is it harder to capture with our cameras, but you run the risk of having harsh shadows run under your eyes and nose – which is never flattering.
Family Pictures
This topic is quite important to me. If your photographer hasn’t asked for a family shot list, I’d suggest bringing one along for your wedding day (or having a parent bring one with them). For family pictures I ask that my couples only list immediate family members (parents/siblings/grandparents). I can definitely accommodate extended family, so long as there is enough time between my couple’s ceremony and reception.
Your wedding could be the only time your family will *all* be together in the same room in a long time. Make sure you don’t let that opportunity pass you by.
I apologize in advance for sounding like a Debbie Downer, but I’ve got a sad story of my own. When I got married, my grandpa from out of town flew in just for our wedding. It was the best wedding gift I could’ve received. Unfortunately, I never had any pictures taken with him. He’s since passed away and I’m left with that deep regret.
The last thing I want is for my couples to have the same regret I did, which is why I always require a family shot list from my couples.
Be Mindful of Where you Place your Details
By details, I mean your head table, your cake table as well as the podium. With regards to the head table and podium, I usually suggest my clients not place them in front of a window. While the view outside may look spectacular, it is usually troublesome for our cameras. Having large windows situated behind your head table/podium, will usually result in over blown/faded images, even when artificial lighting (such as strobes and flashes) are used. If you want to draw attention to your cake and any other details you’re highlighting, be sure not to place them in front of a busy background. For example, try to avoid placing your cake in front of the fire exit, tvs (which some hotels and golf courses have in their banquet rooms), or in the corner where cables and light switches are visible.
Have Fun
There will be hiccups along the way. You’re there to celebrate the union of you and your significant other. Your wedding day will go by in the blink of an eye so be sure to take it all in. Laugh too much, eat in excess and take the shot. ;)
Steph
Calgary Wedding Photographer
