As a photographer at a wedding...?

Question

...What should I wear to the rehersal dinner and the wedding/reception?

Answer 1

The rehearsal dinner is usually casual. Wear a nice outfit, though, not jeans and a tee! You want to look professional. Trousers and a polo would be fine.

At the wedding, dress at the same level as the guests. For a nighttime super-formal affair, a tux for guys or at least a dark suit, for less formal daytime weddings, a nice pair of pants or skirt and nice shirt, with a tie or without. (If a tie hinders you, then don't wear one.) Black is fine I usually wear a black pants suit with a long vest with pockets for stuff.

Comfortable shoes! Do not wear heels. I wear black sneakers with pants, or comfortable flats with a skirt or dress. If you're wearing a dress, make sure it is long enough to cover important parts of your anatomy when you crouch or bend! (This assumes you are a female. If you're a guy, then no dress for you, that might take attention away from the bride on her "special day"!)

This Saturday I am shooting a wedding at a rodeo. The B & G are riding in on a tractor. The attendants will be in overalls and red shirts. So I will probably wear a denim jumper, but this is a very informal wedding!

In most cases, dress similarly as you would if you were a guest and you will be fine.

Answer 2

To the guy that said "you get what you pay for", that's not always the case, and that's a huge generalisation. I worked as a wedding photographer for a couple of years, and since I was building up my profile, I would do jobs at cost price. the most I charged for one wedding was £300 ($600). It doesn't mean I was any less professional, and it doesn't mean that my work was below the standard of the top photographers; it just meant that I was starting out in the business, and I wanted to attract more clients. And remember that this photographer you've found only has more experience because she's been given the opportunity. It's a catch 22 for your fiance's uncle: He doesn't have the experience because people won't give him the opportunity, yet he won't be given the opportunity until he has experience. A tad unfair, don't you think? _ _ _ You need to do what feels right. I also have an uncle that does photography as a hobby, and he's doing our photography. His work is of a high standard, so we're honoured to have him helping out. But we're also having 2 other friends (who studied photography with me), so that my uncle can be in some of the photos, instead of behind the camera all the time. If you refer to go with the pro photographer, your excuse can be that you want his uncle to relax and feel like a proper guest. He won't be in any of the photos if he's taking them. If you want him to do the photos, then you've saved yourself $1400 (which is a lot of money in anyone's book). But perhaps you will compromise on quality; I don't know what standard his work is. As a photographer, you're forever thinking about composition, lighting etc, there's no time to appreicate what is happening in front of you. I don't remember anything about the weddings I photographed, I only remember it through the images I took, which is quite sad. Therefore in my opinion, it would be nicer for your fiance's uncle to be a regular guest during this time, so he can actually enjoy the service. You could have the pro photographer for the ceremony and formal photos, and then have the uncle doing the photos of the reception, cutting of the cake etc. These are the less important photos, so the dip in standard wouldn't matter so much, and he would still feel like he helped contribute to your special day. Remember that he might not feel like he has much to offer, but by taking the photos at your wedding, he feels like he's doing a huge thing for you. I am the same; I don't have much money, so I buy a gift I can afford, and then I make sure I also take some nice pictures of their wedding; whether they havea professional photographer or not. I send them a CD of the images, and they're always really happy that I do.

Answer 3

At the rehearsal dinner, dress casual would be in line with every one else. During th entire wedding day, it is advisable to wear a tux. If you wear something like a Think Tank belt, then its fine to to take of f the Tux jacket. Remember, you are part of the wedding and a wedding is a back tie formal affair, so you should dress to the occaission. Also many perspective clients will see you dressed that way and look at you as a true professional and will keep you in mind when their wedding approaches. They may never see your work, but they will remember things about your professionalism.. Remember at a wedding as a photographer, learn how to be recognized without being disruptive.

Answer 4

The weddings that I have attended, the photographer usually dressed nice, but not too nice as to attract attention. They wanted to blend in, and just be able to get around stealthfully and quickly. Seriously, the photographer was very quick in order to get great angles and pictures on the fly.

Answer 5

i disagree with the above answers

i occasionally do weddings, i wear comfortable clothes, runners, tidy pants, shirt, my black vest with spare mem cards, batteries, business cards, note book, pens, pencils et cetera

i like to look the part not part of the wedding party, im not only working (sometimes for 8 hours or more if you do reception etc) im advertising, couple of cameras round your neck also helps, use an assistant to watch your gear and your back

be comfortable, not scruffy but dont wear heals etc.

its like this if you call a plumber and hes in a suit what would you think?

Answer 6

dinner? casual but upscale. Reception? Dressy...little black dress...I'm sure you KNOW the one :)

Answer 7

That's often been my question should I be asked to photograph a nudist wedding.??????????

Answer 8

On both occasions, dress to fit in.

Answer 9

All black so you blend in. Used to work in high-end hotel all event photogs wore black.

Answer 10

Something business casual....you want to be comfortable but still uphold a good image!