I had my reception perfectly planned out, ceremony was at 7pm, reception at 8pm, champagne toasts with strawberries, traditional dances, bouquet/garter tosses, cake cutting at 10pm followed by heavy hor'deurves. Well searching for a photographer, I am being told I need at least an hour and half for my photograph's to be taken. Pushing the reception back any later would be to late. Is there a better way for me to do this?
TWQadmin
FORUM EXPERT
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Oct 9, 2007, 4:12 PM
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Re: [becomingMrs] Unsure about reception now
[In reply to]
If you only want pictures taken for an hour then your photographer should be able to use that time to take whatever photos he can, unless you're asking to have the photos in a location where you'd need time for travel. Many couples allow their guests to have a cocktail hour while their pictures are being taken.
What concerns me is that you are serving champagne and then cake and no food until very late in the evening. You're allowing guests to drink alcohol on an empty stomach and not feeding them at a time when a meal would be expected (earlier in the evening). The typical reception flows as follows:
Introduction of the bride and groom, dances, toasts, meal, cake, dancing. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Oct 9, 2007, 4:59 PM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: [becomingMrs] Unsure about reception now
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I agree. I would be falling asleep before the food would be served.
Many shoot most of the photos before the wedding these days. This helps quite a bit. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now
becomingMrs
Oct 9, 2007, 5:06 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: [Etiquette Now] Unsure about reception now
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Thank you.
So how would I go about serving the hor'deurves since I'm not serving a meal?
TWQadmin
FORUM EXPERT
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Oct 9, 2007, 5:10 PM
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Re: [becomingMrs] Unsure about reception now
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The caterer should have a handle on the service. Probably they'll recommend passing trays of varying selections but it will really depend on the room and seating, etc. Coordinate this with the caterer. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Nancy Tucker
PRESIDENT - WEDDINGS BEAUTIFUL
Oct 9, 2007, 6:04 PM
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Re: [becomingMrs] Unsure about reception now
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I also agree, most wedding photographers can do the formals within a half hour after the ceremony. Have the photographer do shots of the bride's party and the groom's party prior to the ceremony, then just do the complete family formals afterward. Nancy Tucker President of Weddings Beautiful US http://www.weddingsbeautiful.com
Weddings by Shayna
WEDDING CONSULTANT
Oct 10, 2007, 1:49 PM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: [becomingMrs] Unsure about reception now
[In reply to]
I agree. I'd target something close to:
6:00 - 6:30 (or earlier): formal shots of bride alone & with bridesmaids/parents (earlier if you want the photographer to take shots of the groom & his groomsmen/parents)
6:30: guests begin taking seats
7:00: Ceremony
7:30 (give or take depending on your length of ceremony which can be 20 minutes to an hour, average): formal photos of bridal party all together, with newlyweds, and select formal shots of couple and families
8:00: passed hors d'oeuvres (or remainder of catering per arrangement with your catere)
8:30 (assuming no travel or minimal travel): Introductions, possibly dances (possibly toasts)
9:30/10:00: Cake cutting
Rest of evening for dancing, bouquet/garter toss, etc.
A lot of factors vary depending on what you have planned, so consult with all of your professionals for the best advice possible. Good luck! Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design http://www.williamsburgweddingdesign.com
Unsure about reception now
