Another photo question: Photo shoots before the ceremony-advice?

[minniebride]

Sorry, I have another photo question & I'm really torn on what to do & I'd like some more advice....

We are having a, 11:30am ceremony. We will have a champagne toast after the ceremony, then a pre-reception, followed by a lunch reception. All of these events will take place within very close distance to each other.

We are still unsure of how long to have the pre-reception. I'd like to do a full hour, but I feel like that might be too long for our guests and then they might now be hungry for lunch afterwards.

Photos are really important to me and one reason why we wanted this ceremony location is so we could have photos of my DF & I taken around the Boardwalk area. We will also want some family portraits right after the ceremony.

We have been tossing around the idea of having our BW photo shoot before the wedding (NOT on a different day, just in the morning of the wedding).

I'm torn about this though.
My pros are: it will allow us sufficient time to take these photos and the BW area might be less crowded before noon (we are getting married during the heart of the holiday season ).
My cons are: I'm nervous about my hair getting messed up, make up getting messed up, dress getting stained, etc....I don't think I'll feel too nervous (pre-wedding jitters), as DF and I are practically married and have been for a few years....but I don;t know, maybe I will be nervous??

What do you guys think?

Could I maybe hire the ladies from the hair/make up place to come in the morning for the BW photo shoot and then come back before the ceremony a few hours later?

Also, if we are having an 11:30 ceremony, what would you suggest the timeline be as far as what time to do the BW shoot if we decide to do it before the ceremony?

Lastly, DF brought up the whole "seeing each other before the ceremony" thing. I have seen some beautiful photos of really special first-look moments that were before the ceremony so I think it will still be special to see each other before the ceremony......any thoughts?

Any other advice or suggestions?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[Bridie1996]

As someone who had pictures taken both before and after the ceremony... if we could have gotten them all done before the ceremony, we would have. During the post-ceremony pictures I was wondering what was going on in The Attic, were the guests bored, how long we were really taking?

The pictures after the ceremony felt a bit rushed,and if I had it to do again I'd either schedule more time for pre-ceremony pictures or schedule something in b/w our lunch and the dessert party so we could do it at our leisure and not worry about what our guests were getting up to.

I didn't worry about getting my dress dirty, so I can't help you there, but our first look pictures are some of our favorites of the day. We felt it was actually MORE special just having us there for that moment and it gave us some time to compare notes on what had happened up to that point. I wouldn't change that decision for anything.

Plus, DH still teared up when he first saw me walking down the aisle.

 

[lurkyloo]

Well I'm always harping about how great the pre-ceremony first look is, but... IT'S GREAT!

Not only will it give you a quiet, special moment together before all the hoopla of the big day starts, but it will simplify your timeline and eliminate the need for your guests to wait around with growling stomachs (or, conversely, spoiling their appetites for lunch with appetizers ).

I don't know what time of year you're getting married, but unless the weather is super-humid and hot, I think your makeup will be fine. You can talk to your cosmetologists about using a setting spray, or, if you're really worried, go with your idea about having them come back to touch everyone up.

Also, I wouldn't worry about messing up your dress or hair or anything—all you'll be doing is standing around posing for pictures (I mean, unless you guys are tree-climbers, or something...)

Hope this helps!

 

[minniebride]

Thank you for sharing your experiences-that is really helpful & reassuring me that maybe we should get our photos in the morning before the reception. I did not think about the aspect of getting our "alone time" (well, us two + Randy lol) before the ceremony. & I can see how we might feel really rushed after the ceremony and I can also see DF getting antsy to get the photos over with after the ceremony so we can join the fun

Carrie: We are getting married in December-right in the heart of the Christmas season so I'm guessing I will not have to worry about humidity I am a bit nervous about the Boardwalk area being swamped with guests, which might make for difficult photos-do you think? Or maybe the BW is not as crowded as I am thinking??

I'm currently deciding between Beaute Special and Patricia LaJeune-are they flexible about coming back for a touch up before the ceremony? Though I wonder if we could time it so the hair/make up people are working on our moms and our bridesmaids while we are at our shoot with Randy and then the hair/make up people would still be there after an hour or so of our photo shoot.

What time would you suggest to do our photo shoot on the BW? Again, our ceremony is at 11:30, walking distance to the BW.

Thanks again!

 

[lurkyloo]

We are getting married in December-right in the heart of the Christmas season so I'm guessing I will not have to worry about humidity I am a bit nervous about the Boardwalk area being swamped with guests, which might make for difficult photos-do you think? Or maybe the BW is not as crowded as I am thinking??

The only time it gets crowded is at night. At the time you'll be there, most people will be playing in the parks.

I'm currently deciding between Beaute Special and Patricia LaJeune-are they flexible about coming back for a touch up before the ceremony?

I've heard about both of them doing it—that would be a great question to ask each of them when you're making your decision.

Though I wonder if we could time it so the hair/make up people are working on our moms and our bridesmaids while we are at our shoot with Randy and then the hair/make up people would still be there after an hour or so of our photo shoot.

Now that sounds like a great idea!

What time would you suggest to do our photo shoot on the BW? Again, our ceremony is at 11:30, walking distance to the BW.

Let's see... We timed our pre-ceremony photos to last up til 9am, when the ceremony was supposed to start, but for a walk that long + potentially a makeup touch-up, maybe you'd want to do photos from 9:30-11:00 or 10:00-11:00?

 

[minniebride]

Thank you Carrie!!!!! That was all wonderful advice!

Now, I just have to decide on which makeup/hair person to use....

 

[ColeV]

If you want to see what the Boardwalk looks like mid-holiday season (December 29th) early afternoon, that's when we had our pictures taken. There are tons of areas that aren't crowded, even when the boardwalk itself has plenty of people about. The yard (especially the left side) behind the hotel is fairly empty. If you look closely in some of my pictures, there are people, but they really don't show up much!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

This is a very useful thread!!
I am having a 3.00pm ceremony at the Swan and I want to have photos done at the Boardwalk too. I am having Randy, and although I haven't finalized with him yet as to timings, I was kind of hoping to do a 'first look' at BLT where we are staying. We could then go in the limo to the BW for photos and have the limo return for guests. I thought afterwards we could stroll over to the Swan for the ceremony. My fear is also mucking up my dress and make-up spoiling in the heat!!! My date is 4th May. How hot/humid do you guys think it might be?
I am having two limos so I guess I could have one come and collect us from the BW and take us to the Swan after it has delivered the guests. What do you think?
We are hoping to finish the photography at the GF where we are having dinner!!