What photos will be taken on the day of the wedding? How much time do they take?

Kristin's outline for keeping stress levels low on the big day and fun levels at a high:

1. Plan enough time for formal family and bridal party photos, always over estimate how much time you think you will need versus guessing the exact time it will take.

2. Follow my list below for family formals. Do not use up precious time on creating every combination possible with all family members.

3. Anticipate a worse case scenario for travel time and traffic to every location for the day.

4. Do not plan on taking photos at more than one location if you have less than one hour for photos for B&G, bridal party and family. Keep travel to a MINIMUM in this situation. It's best to do photos at your ceremony or reception location, or, a spot along the way.

5. Do not let the bridal party bring alcohol or food to the formal photo area if we are on a tight timeline, this is very important! Please pass this info on to your bridal party members.

6. Make sure all family and bridal party members know where they need to be and at what times.

7. My favorite... plan on hair and makeup taking 30 to 45 minutes longer than anticipated, they almost always run late from my experience with larger wedding parties.

8. Most important piece of information I can prepare you with: HAVE A RAIN BACK UP PLAN!

How long do formals take?

Most of you have hired me because you want minimal formals and mostly artistic candid photography coverage. But family formals are important. I suggest planning for ONE HOUR to get family, bridal party, and bride and groom photos done. This one hour does not include any travel time or fetching of family members from cocktail hour. The goal is to get family done in 30 minutes or under, bridal party in 15 minutes or under, and bride and groom in 15 minutes or a few more minutes if we have it. While this may seem like a long time for each section of photos it is NOT. On the day people are talking and having fun, hors d'oeuvres are being passed around, and people in general need guidance as to where they should be for each photo that is being arranged.

If you have smaller sized families (one set of parents each and one or no siblings) and a smaller sized bridal party (4 members on each side or less) then photos will not take as long, obviously. By planning for the one hour though you have time for lots of fun and wonderful candid moments being captured while you all mingle and enjoy the day. So please, even for smaller wedding parties please plan for this one hour. Better to be having fun than stressed out, right?

If you have a larger bridal party (6 or more on each side) and larger families (more than one set of parents and/or lots of siblings) please TRY to plan for a little more than one hour if you would like to have some candid moments captured as well. The more mingle time you have the more relaxed you are and the more candid moments are opportune.

What family formals are recommended?

Here is my basic list that I run through in my head at every wedding. Please do not supply me with a list to read from on the day as it will disrupt the flow of the adding and removing of the base sets. For complicated sets (such as two sets of parents) the two sets below will be minimized somewhat, but I will ask for guidance on the day of as to which sets we have and how you want them arranged.

First set...

B with her mom
B with her dad
B with her parents
Add G with B and her parents
B and G with parents and sibling(s)
Just B with her parents and sibling(s)
Just B with her sibling(s)
If there are grandparents and they at the formal photo location then they can go first or last. Only the B with hers and G with his. No other sets, unless time permits and is requested. Grandparents can be done at the reception if it is easier.

Next...

G with his mom
G with his dad
G with his parents
Add B with G and his parents
G and B with parents and sibling(s)
Just G with his parents and sibling(s)
Just G with his sibling(s)
If there are grandparents and they at the formal photo location then they can go first or last. Only the B with hers and G with his. No other sets, unless time permits and is requested. Grandparents can be done at the reception if it is easier.

Then...

Bridal party:

G with best man
G with Gmen
B&G with all party members
B with all Bmaids
B with maid of honor

And of course...

Bride and Groom photo time with Kristin