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East Brunswick  732.254.8000

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    An ideal wedding photography timeline and how to make the most of your group photos.

    While most weddings follow the same basic structure, each wedding day is a little different, so an exact to-the-minute timeline doesn’t exist. This article can be used as a guide when planning your event. Some of these times are longer than necessary; despite having a schedule, weddings can be unpredictable at times. It’s always a good idea to give yourself more time than needed, so if things were to run late (and they do) you wouldn’t be in any trouble.

    PREPARATIONS


    60 to 90 minutes

    At least one hour for preparation coverage is recommended. We start by capturing detail photos of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and other important items. We are also getting close ups of the makeup and hair being finished up as well as the candid moments. Whether you are at home or in a hotel room, it’s important to reserve space for photos. With hair & makeup stations, luggage, and garment bags for an entire bridal party, things can get cluttered quickly. Set aside an area specifically for detail photos, and bridal preparations. We like to finish up preparations with some formal portraits before moving on to the next part of the day.

    By capturing detail photos of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and other important items a wonderful story is beginning to evolve. Capturing close ups of the makeup and hair being finished up as well as candid moments of your bridal party, family and friends is also very important to your story.
    Creative detail photos are key to wonderful story-telling of your Once-In-A-Lifetime

    FIRST LOOK OR POST CEREMONY GROUP PHOTOS


    60 to 90 minutes

    Depending on the order of your day, the schedule may include a first look, which will take place right after preparations. We highly recommend this if your ceremony and reception are in the same place, otherwise you will not have enough time for your photos. The actual first look only takes about 5 minutes. Once that’s over, the rest of the time is spent completing all of your family and bridal party group photos. If however you have time allotted after a church ceremony for photos, all the group photos would take place then.

    Each individual group photo can take 3-5 minutes on average. If you have a large family and more group photos need to be taken, you will need to allocate more time. Once the group photos are finished we can let the family and bridal party go relax while we complete the bride and groom portraits.


    HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PORTRAIT TIME

    Approximately two months prior to the big day, we will be sending you a portrait checklist to complete for your photographer. This list represents the typical amount of group photos that you can accomplish on an average wedding day. There are a few spaces at the bottom for some extra groups, but you should limit your list to that single page. If you have more photos in mind that are not on the typical list, you will have to add more time to your day. If the average group photo takes 3-5 minutes to arrange and capture, that's 15-20 separate group photos in one hour at best, and that's all before you've taken a single photo of just the bride and groom together. It is extremely important that you prioritize your group photos so that you spend your time taking the most important photos first. If you run out of time it would be unfortunate if you missed an immediate family photo, but it won't be hard to cut out the "work friends" group photo.

    Abella Studios photographers capture ultra-creative and spontaneous images of your Wedding Day. work has been featured in various national publications like, The Knot Magazine, Modern Bride, NY Bride, Contemporary Bride, (201) Bride and several Wedding Reality TV Shows such as Say Yes to the Dress and Platinum Weddings. "Abella Studios CAPTURES the MOMENTS of TODAY that will WOW your HEART TOMORROW..."
    Bridal Party Portrait at The Palace in Somerset Park (one of our favorite venues)

    Things that do not need to be on a portrait checklist are detail shots, candid photos, typical wedding day captures. We know weddings very well and, for the most part, we always capture the same types of photos at each event. We know you are having a first dance, and we know you are cutting the cake, therefore it really doesn't need to be on the portrait list. Those items will only clutter the list up and make it harder to focus on the important group photos.


    Other things to consider...

    If travel between locations is involved, remember to factor that in to your total schedule. Give yourself and your photographer(s) more time than needed, 20 minutes on your GPS may actually be 40 depending on the time of day, traffic, construction, etc.


    And don't forget, to put aside 10-15 minutes at your reception to sneak outside with your photographer and take some night time photos. Photos in the dark can be very creative and fun!

    Night time photography at The Venetian in Garfield by Abella Studios.
    Night time photos add a unique perspective to your Wedding images.

    • The Wedding Day Is Here!

    Should I do a first look on my wedding day?

    Full disclosure, I’m a photographer so I’m bound to be a bit biased when it comes to the question of whether or not you should do a first look. But, I am not here for my own personal satisfaction; I want you to get the most out of your wedding day! I know what you might be thinking -- seeing each other as you walk down that aisle is the only way that you can have that special moment, and a first look would take away from that. Let me tell you that nothing could be further from the truth…



    So, should you do a first look? Well, that is entirely up to you, but I would be happy to help you make that decision…


    Here are some pros of doing a first look:

     

    1. Calm your nerves and enhance your excitement...


    New Jersey | New York | PA | Wedding Photographer & Videographer

    On your wedding day, the only person who knows exactly how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking is the person who is in the same exact position as you, the person you are going to share your life with -- your spouse-to-be. The first look is your chance to separate yourselves and enjoy a moment of privacy -- a moment to take a breath and share a few words among yourselves.


    The first look gives you and your partner the chance to share in your mutual excitement and to hug-out your overwhelming nerves just before the bride walks down the aisle. What’s better than that?




    2. Get your pictures out of the way and enjoy your day...


    Your wedding day will be busy. You will have to greet guests, take photos, mingle, dance, and so much more. And remember, photography requires time, especially when lots of people and little children are involved! We typically recommend setting at least 60-90 minutes aside on your wedding day for group, family, and bride/groom portraits. That being said, wouldn’t you like to get your wedding pictures out of the way before the frenzy commences? Wouldn’t you prefer to ease through your portraits calmly before the tears wipe away your eyeliner, before the wind impacts your perfect curls, and before the champagne weighs-down your eyelids? Well, the traditional wedding ritual -- seeing the bride and groom for the first time as the bride walks down the aisle -- unfortunately doesn’t allow for any of the above. After all, you cannot take pictures with your partner if you cannot look at one another! However, when couples do a first look, they can finish their family, group, and self portraits right afterward. In other words, the first look allows you to get all of the must-have shots out of the way and dedicate the rest of your day to having an amazing time!




    3. Enjoy the most important moment of your day in privacy...

    That may have sounded a bit misleading… Put frankly, there will be no privacy on your wedding day, all eyes, lights, and cameras will be on you. However, a first look will separate you and your partner for a moment, and although your family and friends might not be too far behind, the only people who will be there with you during that special moment are the photographer and videographer who will capture it. And that is why we define the first look as an improvement to the traditional wedding ritual that enhances the sentimental nature of viewing your spouse-to-be for the first time by taking away the nerves, the noise, and the crowd of guests from your special moment.



    4. Actually make it to your cocktail hour...


    Cocktail hour is for signature drinks and pigs in a blanket, not for family photos. If you plan to take all your photos during cocktail hour, you will not go that that cocktail hour, and neither will your bridal party, or your family. In addition to that, if your photographer is spending the entirety of cocktail hour taking group photos, there will be little time for detailed photos of the ballroom, centerpieces, cake, sweetheart table, etc.


    By doing a first look, you are giving yourself the time that is required to accomplish all of the photography goals that you have for your wedding day. You will have more time, better results, and you will be far more relaxed. A first look means that you get to enjoy your day more, and you even get to make it to your cocktail hour!

     
     

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