When to begin photography?

[JLoane]

First, let me say thank you for all the wonderful ideas and advice that are posted here every day. This really is a wonderful and very friendly forum!!

I'm hoping for some guidance on when to begin our 3 hours of photography with Randy Chapman.

I'm planning an intimate vow renewal at the WP next April. The ceremony is at 5:00 and the reception on the Commanders Terrace is scheduled for 6:00-6:30pm. It will be a very small group--just my husband, myself, our three children who will be 13, 10, and 9, and perhaps two close friends.

I know our ceremony itself will be fairly short so I'm wondering if it will be best to have Randy meet us at the WP at 4:30 so we can take a few shots before the ceremony then have more photos at the WP after the ceremony while allowing enough time to get to the Commanders Terrance by 6:00. Then additional photos from 6:30-7:30 around the GF? (I've seen amazing pictures on the beach with the GF in the background just love those!!)

Does that seem to make sense?

Then I'm thinking of a dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse since it seems to get very good reviews from those of you who've been there. Yum!

Thanks!

Jen

 

[SRUAlmn]

We are having a custom and (although I know an intimate may be different) here is what Randy gave us for a morning timeline. Our wedding is at noon. He said my fiance and his family and the groomsmen will meet at the GF for pictures from 10:30 -11:00, then my family, myself and the girls will do the same from 11:00-11:30 and then we all convene and do some last minute preparations at the WP from 11:30-12:00 and then showtime!

It kind of bothered me because it seems like that wasted helf of our 3 hour time which caused us to add another hour on ($200!) However, it will be nice to have those pictures. He said if we wanted to see each other before the wedding we could do some joint pictures at those times too and it would give us some nice 'couple' pictures before we get all teary eyed! haha I'm not sure if we want to do that or not. It kind of makes sense, but I still want that 'first time he sees me walking down the aisle' reaction, you know?

 

[disneybridetobe]

Jen,
When we had our intimate, we started photography an hour *before* the ceremony. It worked out REALLY well, because we were set to arrive at the WP an hour beforehand, and you cant stick around too long after the ceremony. (Just long enough for formal photos)

We also chose to do a lot of our photos beforehand because all the makeup/hair etc., was all fresh. (and not smudged by tears!)

Hope this helps!!

 

[lurkyloo]

SRUAlum - I've been debating the photos before/after the ceremony thing too because, like you, I wanted my groom to first see me as I walked down the aisle.

But then I realized, if the first time he sees me is when we're alone together before the ceremony for pix (instead of silent in front of the officiant) he'll actually be able to tell me how great I look - hee hee!

 

[SRUAlmn]

SRUAlum - I've been debating the photos before/after the ceremony thing too because, like you, I wanted my groom to first see me as I walked down the aisle.

But then I realized, if the first time he sees me is when we're alone together before the ceremony for pix (instead of silent in front of the officiant) he'll actually be able to tell me how great I look - hee hee!

Good point!!!

 

[JLoane]

Good point about having photos early to avoid tear smudges! Even though my husband and I are renewing our vows rather than getting married, I know I'll still get teary.

Jen

 

[cjb71870]

Ours started about 30 min. before ceremony. I wanted the first look of him seeing me to be down the aisle, It makes the ceremony more personal in my opinion. When you see each other before the ceremony, it would make it seem more of a scripted , planned not so , this is the moment we've been planning for. And, I think your true emotions will surface and make it more special. Plus, your makeup should be made for tears anyway. Good luck whatever you decide. But, it's so nice to see your groom somewhat gasp when you appear in the aisle.