customs: how many hours did you use a photographer?

[DisneyDeeFL]

For a custom wedding...with a WP ceremony, a cocktail hour, and a reception, how many hours did you book for your photographer? I'm getting ready to book Randy Chapman, but aren't sure how long I will need him? I figured he'd start about an hour and 1/2 before the ceremony, and stay about an hour or two into the reception (I don't see the point of him staying any longer than that..) So, do you think maybe 5 hours is long enough?

 

[IrishCinderella]

I dunno. Some of the best photos I have of my extended family and friends came from later in the reception while people were more relaxed - dancing and mingling. You'll have all the photos you'll ever need of your immediate family and wedding party; but what about the rest of your guests? Just something to think about.

 

[JJClemson]

Randy is doing a 7 hour package for me. He is coming at 8:30 am, our ceremony is at 10am, reception from 12-4pm. So I guess he is staying for almost the entire reception.

 

[Luvndisney]

i say if you can afford it have them for as long as you can. I agree with the other posters..some of our best shots are the last dances and such when everyone is just in the moment. i think there shots are more photojournalistic instead of portrait. But again if its a cost saving thing then go ahead and cut it. HTH

 

[DisneyDeeFL]

Yes, cost definitely plays a role in our decision. We'd certainly want the photographer to stay long enough to get all of the standard shots at the reception, (i.e. the first dance, mother/groom dance, father/bride dance, cake cutting, tossing bouquet, etc.) and go around to each table, get some shots of people dancing. i just don't want him to end up staying there sooo long that the party dies down, most of the people have left, dinner is long gone...yet he still has a few hours left because hey, we paid for it!

Basically, I wanted to get an idea of how long the typical day would last: from pre-ceremony...ceremony...cocktail hour (where we'd be taking the group photos)...to a few hours into the reception. if all of that easily adds up to 7 hours, then i guess we'd consider a 7 hour photo package. But if all of those things typically take, say, 5 hours, then we'd opt for a different package.

I figure a lot of our family and other guests will have cameras to take endless candid shots that we can all share with each other.

 

[pixie08]

Hmm this is hard. From the beginning of the ceremony to the end of the recption (are you having a dp) is about 6 hours. If you want getting ready shots that makes the day 7-8 hours. Now if finance is a huge issue then I guess I would cut the last hour of the reception.

We have randy booked for all day though because I really want it all captured so i guess I am no help. Good luck.

 

[chipscinderelly]

We went with an unlimited package for our photographer and it worked out well! Photos started at 3 but our team arrived around 1:30 or 2 and were with us until our reception ended at 1 am. I love all the photos and as the previous poster said the later photos are excellent!

 

[happylalagirl]

to give you an idea.... we had Randy for our wedding. The ceremony was scheduled for 2 p.m. Randy showed up for pre-ceremony shots at 11:45 a.m. He came to the room where the girls were getting ready and took pics of us getting our hair and make-up done, pics of the dress, etc... then he went to the lobby to take pics of the guys @ 12:30 p.m. and then the girls were at 1:00 p.m. (approx.) He stayed through our ceremony, reception and for the entire dessert party. I think my folks paid for 8 hours, but he was there for MUCH longer and without an extra charge. We did get some GREAT shots towards the end of our reception. If you can afford it, I'd say go for it, but make sure you factor in all the pre-ceremony pics!! They are SO worth it!!! Good luck!