There are literally a million things to decide when you plan your wedding. Let me add one! Will your photographer stay to the very end of the reception or be cut loose prior to your official send off?
[Tweet “How Long Does Your Photographer Stay?”]
Will Your Photographer Stay Until the End of the Reception?
The truth is, there are only so many dancing photos of your guests that can be captured before they all start to look the same. And, then there’s the whole alcohol issue. Put simply, some people are just not good dancers while under the influence, or at all—no matter what they think. However, there is always the possibility that something totally epic will happen and your photographer won’t be there to capture it. This is a personal decision that must be made by each couple. If you’re wedding is on New Year’s Eve, and you’re shooting fireworks at midnight, you might want to keep your photographer on board to capture all the midnight kissing.
Most photographers charge for a continuous block of time and do not skip over parts of the coverage in the day simply because you don’t need photos taken. They are not going to take a two-hour break during the reception waiting on your send off. So, how do you get all the great images you need without paying for coverage you don’t want?
You can always fake your send off! Wait, what!? Yes, you can fake your send off! It’s simple really. You have the DJ or band instruct everyone to pick up some sparklers/bubbles/balloons/crazy string and head to the exit for photos. They will add that this is a only FAKE send off and as soon as the photographer is finished, everyone should immediately return to the dance floor to continue the party. (I should add that this is a great opportunity to sneak out and you may actually lose a few guests after this.) After the fake send off, you have your images and the photographer goes home. Mission is accomplished.
However, I need to add one cautionary word of advice. If you have commissioned an antique Rolls Royce (or any other very expensive detail to your wedding day) to whisk you away after the reception, you may want to think twice about faking your send off. Chances are that Rolls Royce will not be there two hours early. The bottom line is to make sure you have covered what you want captured!!
The post, How Long Does Your Photographer Need to Stay?, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.
