When to have PICTURES taken for an EVENING WEDDING?

Question

My fiance and I are planning a semi-formal summer evening wedding next year. We just now realized that, unless we see eachother before the ceremony, our pictures will have to be taken after dark or right at dusk and we have been wanting daytime pictures all along. We don't want to see eachother before the ceremony because of traditional reasons (a.k.a. BAD LUCK, not that we really believe that, but we like tradition). How can we have an evening ceremony and still have our pictures during the sunlight hours? This seems like a really dumb question the more I type. lol

I mentioned to him that we should just move the ceremony up a couple of hours even though we wanted a sunset ceremony. That seems like our only option as of now. Do you have any ideas?

Any help would be appreciated!!! :)

The wedding will be in July, and we wanted to start the ceremony around 7:00 or 7:30 so that the sunset would take place during the ceremony.

Would moving it up to 5:00 be early enough for pics and to still have the RECEPTION close to sunset?

Answer 1

I would bump up the ceremony a little so that sunset is during your cocktail hour as opposed to the ceremony. That was how my wedding was planned. With that, not only did it make for better pictures, everyone could enjoy sunset and not have it compete with the wedding ceremony.

Also, take as many formals as you can before the ceremony. Save just the pictures with you and your husband together for after the ceremony. But do the pictures of your family, his family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, etc ahead of time to limit the amount of pictures after the ceremony. We ended up really rushing the formals post ceremony because we didn't want to miss the cocktail hour. Also, make a list of the pictures that you really want so that the photographer will be sure to take the shots that you really want.

Congratulations!

Answer 2

Well, you can take pictures of you and your groom outside, the following day, week, etc. Of course, you won't have the whole wedding party there, but if you want some pictures outside, and don't want to move up the timing of the ceremony, and don't want to take pictures before the ceremony, then that's about your best option.

Remember, outside pictures do look best if taken in very early morning, or late afternoon. If you're planning a summer wedding, you've got even more daylight hours to work with. Have the ceremony at 4 or even 5 pm (depending on if you're getting married in June or August) and plan dinner for 7 or 8. Have a cocktail hour starting about 1/2 hour after the ceremony is over, and use that time to take the outdoor pictures with the wedding party. The lighting should be ideal then, you don't want to take the pictures at noon, when everyone's going to be squinting into the sun anyway. Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

First of all consider the type of ceremony you want to have. Will it be ten minutes, or longer?? If it is going to be a long wedding than I would bump up the time. I'm a wedding photographer and I plan on the "formal" wedding photos to take about 45 minutes. So think about what pictures do you want. One with grandma, mom, aunt june, uncle larry, etc, etc. I would suggest taking the pictures at sunset because it is beautiful natural light, and is flattering to anyone. Then you don't have pictures with everyone squinking their eyes because of the sun.
I'd have the ceremony at 6, then if you think you'll need to bide some time, have a small recieving line. Serve appetizers to your guests while you take the pictures. Dinner could be served at 8. Good luck to you and hubby on your new life together.

Answer 4

Well, you already poo-poo'd what I'm going to suggest, but hear me out. I've photographed more than 500 weddings. I ALWAYS suggested that the "formals" be taken before the wedding and if the couple concurred, then I would also arrange for them to have a private rendezvous where I would take a few photos from a distance (zoom lens), leave them alone for about 10 minutes and then we would all get together for the group photos. NOT ONE couple ever regretted this... they all loved it! They were more relaxed for the ceremony, they all thought that the special meeting before hand was very special and more meaningful that seeing each other for the first time at opposite ends of the isle, all nervous and stuff. Plus, after the ceremony, when they were hot, tired and hungry, THEY COULD JUST LEAVE and not keep their guests waiting at the reception. Please try to forget that old superstition about seeing each other before the wedding .... it's source is NOT very romantic.... from the days of prearranged marriages when they feared that the groom would run away when he saw the bride!

Won't you reconsider? It would solve all the problems you're facing.....

Answer 5

I was in the same mindset before my wedding until my photographer talkedme into having the pictures taken before the ceremony. First of all, it's not fair to keep family and friends in the bridal party (not to mention you) away from the party once the ceremony has concluded. Second, It's not fair to your guests to have to wait all that time. Pictures always take longer than you think. Also, my husband and I were a lot less nervous during the ceremony because we had seen eachother for pictures. We are so happy in marriage and there was no bad luck due to it. It was the right decision for us, and I highly reccommend it for you too.

Answer 6

If you're wedding is at 7:30, in July, there would still be more than an hour of sunlight after the ceremony. I don't see why you couldn't get enough outside photos in that length of time.

I understand what the photographer is suggesting. There's nothing worse than being at a reception waiting for the bride & groom to show up. But getting all gussied up prior to the wedding was not something I wanted to do. (Mine was in the evening & inside as it was winter)

It does make his work harder as he's playing "Beat the Clock" with the sun. But what happens if it rains that day? You aren't going to get many outside photos at all!

This may be one of those things you have to be flexible on, or do as the photographer said and have your photos prior to the wedding.

Answer 7

are you wanting pictures of just you all during the day or the whole wedding party cause you could have pictures taken a few days after the wedding say even the sunday after or a week later so it wont be on the same day but if you do your hair the same and he wheres the same clothes no one will ever know down the road you can even suggest that you are willing to help rent the guys tuxes again so you can get pictures then next week so they won't have to pay that much again to get great pictures just pick a time when you and your wedding party can all get toghter to do it good luck and congratulations

Answer 8

we had an evening wedding also. the photographer gave us a choice of doing the pictures before the ceremony or during the reception. we chose to do the pictures before the ceremony.

it was great. they had my husband standing with his back to me and all of our friends and family around watching. i approached him from behind and when i was right next to him, he turned around. it was caught on video and we had great pictures.

otherwise, if you don't want to see him because of "bad luck," do it during the reception. you won't be able to spend time with your guests at this time, but you will have more time for just the 2 of you and you will get the more personal and romantic shots at this time.

have fun!!!

Answer 9

In stead of moving the ceremony up what you can do is take the pitcher after you wedding like the next day or next week.

Answer 10

Talk to your photographer about it. You'd be surprised what kind of technology they have that can make these accomodations. I didn't have any outdoor pictures taken in the evening or at night but I know that our photographer has some on his website that look amazing.