The ideal wedding photographs take time yet naturally most couples need to set limits on the overall programme.  On the day you may need to deal with delays from earlier activities and come under pressure from others to move on.

Experience from all perspectives of many weddings tells me that many aspects of the day take longer than most couples expect.

The danger is then that time planned for photography is a natural buffer in the programme to others and gets compressed by starting late and pressures from others wishing to move on to later events e.g., the caterer is pushing to move on to drinks or a meal on the original timetable, or parents and guests may want to start the refreshments.

If you plan photographs of the bride and separately of the groom before the service, then please start your preparations in plenty of time – allow for the hairdresser/make up to take longer than expected - they nearly always do.

Photography sessions need more time than that planned for the photography itself, to allow for all those concerned to gather at the right spot and later to move on to the next stage in the programme.  Moving both family and guests always takes longer than expected, whether it is clearing a room or moving from a reception room to the photographic location.

Where a selection of more formal or carefully prepared photographs are to be taken with guests/family present, arrange for an usher or best man to help with “crowd control” avoiding wasting distractions and clashing flashes.  A location near but separated from the guests is best.

For planned group photographs, ushers, best man or a suitable relation who is likely to know the participants needs to be briefed on the plans and asked to seek those needed when the time arises.  Getting the people you want together in the right place for each group can waste a lot of time if not pre organised.  A list of planned participants is helpful but in itself it does not get them to the right place at the right time, especially if the reception is across several rooms or a large garden.

Talk to the caterers and select a menu that allows best flexibility on when you start to eat – in case delays occur.  Do you want you and the photographer distracted by hassle from a caterer because the day was already running half an hour late?  Similarly make sure that all concerned with helping manage the day, understand these issues and your priorities, as well as the plan. This should include parents, whether hosting or “helping”, an MC, and or others delegated to progress the day for you, as well as those serving you such as the photographer, caterer etc.

(based on the article "Planning the Day - and getting the most from your photography" by David Tebbs)