How long should I take pictures for?

Question

1 bridesmaid,1 maid of honor,2 flower girls,a best man,1 groomsman,and ofcourse want pics with parents,grandpa,sisters in law and stepmom.50 guest wedding.I am having a 6 hour reception.

Answer 1

Have your photographer take pictures BEFORE the ceremony as much as possible before the guests arrive.  Then just do the reception pictures as they happen.

Answer 2

I think that it's normally done during the cocktail hour.

Answer 3

I would suggest taking photos for as long as you're comfortable doing it. You can try doing it over the course of the six hour reception if you don't want to do all the photos in one sitting.

Answer 4

I think an hour would be okay. Maybe even less. I was in a wedding in which the bride decided to keep us on our feet outdoors for TWO hours! It was not pleasant, and many of the bridal party complained, especially since only a few photos were of the wedding party. I suggest that you take photos of yourselves with the wedding party, let them go, and then take care of the shots with you and ur new husband, that way nobody has to sit around watching you take photos.

Answer 5

Photographers come in different flavors and that will partially suggest how long.

Photojournalist: takes pictures and captures the event as it happens, creates some moments but otherwise tells your story as the night unfolds.

Traditional: Lots of posed photos, all from standing eye level, some shots of the reception. Favors less photos and more posed shots. Will take your guests and place them in posed shots.

Mix: Will mix in the Traditional shots with family after the ceremony during the cocktail hour and otherwise capture your event as it happens or as you tell them what staged shots you want.

I prefer the photojounalistic style, these photos capture the events and truly reflect the couple. They look more natural and emotional than the staged formal 80's and 90's style posed shots over neon background with bouffanted hair:)

If you have a traditional style photographer have them for them for 6 hours, 2 hours before as you get ready, 2 hours for the ceremony and right before, and then 2 hours to capture a little bit of the reception that can't be posed.

Photojournalistic, have them for the rehearsal dinner, have them for the day of and through the end of the reception and if you are doing an exit 30 minutes after to capture that.

You're already paying for them to capture the event, have them stay through and capture the whole thing. Many photographers get bored and slack off the last 2 hours unless you find a good one.

Answer 6

Well, pictures are normally taken all throughout the wedding.  If you and the groom are being traditional (not seeing each other before the wedding) then the photographer can take pictures of the guys, then pictures of the girls even before the ceremony.

If you're not being traditional, the photographer can take pictures of you and the entire bridal party well before the guests even arrive.  That way you can enjoy more of your reception.  

At most weddings, after the ceremony, while your guests are enjoying the cocktail hour, the pictures of the bridal party, parents etc. get taken then.