Wedding Photo Tip #1: Plan in ample time for photos

Plan ahead. When scheduling your wedding, plan in ample time between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the luncheon or reception. How long is considered "ample?" Two hours or more.*

"Why two hours or more?" you (or a future-in-law) may ask.

1. You want a wide selection of images and poses to choose from, and I want to give you that.
2. On a busy day, everything will run behind schedule. So, it's hard to know exactly when your ceremony will finish. Use your best approximation. Call the church or temple in advance to know about how many weddings will be taking place there that day.
   
3. If you have a large wedding party (50 or more, with energetic and/or grumpy littl'uns) block out a little more time, perhaps fifteen minutes more.
   
4. Account for the driving time between the ceremony venue and the location of your luncheon/reception.
   
5. Group shots (especially with larger groups) can take half an hour -- occasionally longer if there be renegade children or no one can find grandpa.
   
6. Individual portraits should be allowed between one to one and a half hours. This is especially important if there are many other couples getting married on the same day at the same venue as yourself.
7. Remember too, I want to be early to your reception--ten or fifteen minutes will do. Detail shots and any family or wedding party shots you want at the reception are best done before the flow of guests arrive.
   

Follow these steps and you, your photographer, and the universe will smile calmly and blissfully upon your day.

*This is especially important for couples marrying in an LDS temple or other venue where photography during the ceremony is prohibited, since the majority of the wedding pictures will be taken after the fact. Or, if you are planning on doing any location shoots that day.