HERE’S HOW TO TIMELINE YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY!
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, your timeline really is your bible. It keeps your thoughts in order and your vendors organized, ensuring the big day goes off without a hitch. In most cases, your wedding planner will manage the creation and updating of your timeline as you move through the planning process and secure your chosen vendors. But if you are going it alone, here are our two cents as to what you should consider when it comes to photography.
How long should I hire my photographer?
It’s a multifaceted decision. You should consider your budget, and also the length of your event. Most destination weddings in Mexico span an average of five to seven hours from the ceremony to the last song, but should you want ‘getting ready’ photos your photographer will need to start shooting towards the end of your hair and makeup session, normally a few hours before you walk down the aisle. When it comes to the tail end of the evening, most brides and grooms have us stay onsite for the first hour of dancing, to capture those candid party moments. Unless you have a schedule of important happenings later into the night, an hour is generally enough for us to capture the vibe before too many drinks are had!
What is a ‘getting ready’ session?
Our brides ask us this a lot! Capturing your getting ready doesn’t mean we shoot from the moment you get out of bed. It’s a staged shoot that takes place towards the very end of your hair and makeup session. You’ll be almost aisle-ready and your makeup artist will retouch your gloss, or double-check your highlighter so that we can shoot you picture-perfect. This is the time we use to capture your details, such as invitations, your wedding shoes, and that gorgeous bouquet, so it’s important to have any key items laid out for your photographer prior to their arrival.
The getting ready session is great for the groom too. For larger weddings with two shooters, we schedule the bride and groom’s getting-ready sessions simultaneously. If you are having just one shooter in attendance, we’d normally visit the groom first. What do we capture? It’s about fun and family! We like to shoot the groom putting on his suit jacket, tying his tie, and having that last beer with his groomsmen before he takes his place at the altar.
What is a first look?
A first look is a private moment between the bride and groom prior to walking down the aisle. This is a very personal decision. Traditionally it was considered bad luck, and some couples say a big NO to the moment from the get-go. Others are all for it, for a number of reasons. Here’s why:
A first look can calm the nerves before the big moment.
It can reduce the number of photos we need to take post-ceremony.
And this means you may get to enjoy some of that cocktail hour!
Now, there are a couple of twists on the first look! Some modern brides prefer not to see their groom before the big reveal, but opt for a private moment between father and daughter to capture his surprise when she’s all dressed up! Others use the pre-ceremony time to get family and bridal party photos out of the way. There is no wrong decision, and whether or not to include a first look is a very personal choice.
Who is Uncle Bob?
Politely put, he is a photographer’s worst nightmare! Uncle Bob, or Aunty Jean, is photographer slang for the guest that rises mid-ceremony to get a quick shot on their iPhone, potentially cutting our perfect angle and preventing us from delivering what we promised. How do you avoid this? Many couples choose to make their ceremony a “phone-free zone”. It’s easy to do. Ask your wedding planner for cute ideas as to how to politely address the topic on your ceremony entrance sign, and let guests know you’ll share all of our snapshots with them after the wedding.
What’s the all-important group shot?
There are very few moments at a wedding when a photographer has every guest and family member in the same place. We like to schedule the official group shot immediately after you are pronounced husband and wife and walk that recessional aisle. It’s quick and easy. We grab your bridal party, put you in the front, and have your guests rise for a shot. It takes a maximum of 5 minutes and means you’ll have a permanent reminder of everyone in attendance.
Why is sunset time so important?
It’s a no-brainer! Mexico is famous for its vivid sunsets and the colors and lighting are a photographer’s dream. Most destination wedding ceremonies are scheduled 1.5 hours before sunset, which means perfect conditions for your post-ceremony shoot. We take you onto the beach, explore your location, and capture those loved-up moments now that you have officially tied the knot!
Do you take breaks?
Rarely! If you hire us we are ready to shoot. All we ask is that when we are working 5 hours or longer one vendor meal is provided per shooter. Your wedding planner will help schedule a quick meal break at a time that doesn't interfere with your speeches, cake cutting, or other happenings.
When do I get my photos?
The timeline doesn’t end when the DJ leaves and your guests hit the pillow. Immediately after leaving a wedding, we head to the studio and back up all of our raw data. The next day is editing, editing, and more editing. We like to deliver a sneak peek of key moments no later than one week after the wedding, with your full gallery delivered in a private, password-protected online gallery within 60 days. It’s called post-production, and it’s where we shine!
A few other points to consider:
A destination wedding is normally a weekend-long celebration. You will likely have a welcome cocktail, rehearsal dinner, or post-wedding farewell event on the schedule. You may want to consider a couple of package add-ons so that your pre and post-moments are also captured.
We pre-scout your venue. This means we have already explored, analyzed, and run through possibilities before we arrive on the big day. This ensures we maximize the time we have available and respect your wedding planner’s timeline.
The all-important “digital consultation” or in-person meeting before the wedding is a must! That’s how we get to know you, understand your vision, and ensure your day goes off without a hitch.
Finally….
Every wedding is different, and every couple is unique. Rely on your wedding planner and on Raw Media Creative to structure the perfect timeline and ensure every moment of your celebration is immortalized.
One Love - Gary
Copywriting by @bloggingwithlove.mexico
