A Creative Way to Save Time Between Your Ceremony & Reception
Over the years I’ve been a wedding photographer, I’ve come to learn from experience so many wonderful ways to save valuable shooting time throughout my couples wedding days! One of the spots in the day that easily gets off is between the ceremony and reception. The biggest reason for this is that so many of your guests are going to want to congratulate you and your new husband (hugs, small talk and all!)
If you’re planning on doing a first look (which I highly recommend, see post here) then you’ll have already taken your bridal party, bride and groom & family portraits all before your ceremony! (Talk about a win!) That way at the end of your ceremony you’re not rushing to get extended family in order and groomsmen organized to get shots while your guests are waiting to start the party!
Here’s the tip:
You’ve been pronounced man and wife, walk down the isle (big smiles and all)–then sneak into a room just the two of you! At this point the officiant announces that you’ll be doing an exit (seeds, flower petals, streamers, bubbles…whatever you prefer!) He has the guests get their bag of petals on their way out and form a line. Then once everyone is in place, the couple comes out of hiding walking through the line of guests celebrating with them! (This is where you kiss, toss your bouquet up etc etc!) Walk all the way down to your getaway car and hop in!
Not only does this eliminate the awkward tension between wanting to hug your guests but also wanting to save time, but it’s a natural progression from the ceremony, to exit, to getaway car, to the reception where you’ll be announced, start dinner and then can go around to each table with plenty of time to talk and thank your friends and family for coming!
Creative? Definitely! Practical? Yep! And 100% worth it!