Should I take pictures BEFORE the church? Or is this schedule okay?

I don't think I'm superstitious about seeing my FH before the ceremony, I was just wondering... with the following timeline, do you think I'm better off taking pictures before the church? It will also cost more to do that since I'll have to hire the limos for longer...

Right now, this is the plan:

1pm church (5 minutes from my house, where I'll be... 20 minutes tops from the hotel, where FH and guys will be). FULL MASS - max 1 hour.

NO RECEIVING LINE, but we're doing the rose petal toss as we leave the church, and pics by the limo.

2:15/2:30 - leave St. Edward's in Syosset to go to Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay (about a 20 minute ride).

2:45 - take pics at Planting Fields for an hour MAX. The KEY on this day is making it to BAYVILLE for the 4:40 sunset.

Am I rushing things? Or does this seem like it will work? I don't want to be worried. The limo guy thought it might be cutting it close, but my photogs (Doug from Patken) say it will be fine.

What do you think? Also... my mom is concerned about where we will take our family pictures? At the house before the ceremony? At the Planting Fields? If I do my family before the church, where would FH take pics with his family? If it's at the Planting Fields, shouldn't all the family pics be at PF? How long would that take?

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Posted by reenielady

I would think you are fine - if the photographer feels comfortable. I would take all my family pictures at the reception hall.

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The reception site is on the beach... not too many 'family' kind of backgrounds. Plus, my family is insisting it will be to cold on the beach on Nov. 12th. They don't understand that it will be 75 degrees and sunny that day!

what time does your cocktail hr/reception start?
If you go to Planting Fields before the church (if that's what you mean you would do), what will you do between the church and the reception?

plus, if you went before the church, you'd have to start really early...probly 10:30am....makes for a long day.

i've toyed around with this idea also, but my church is at 3pm

Going from Syosset to planting fields isn't far. I think you would be totally fine. what day of the week are you?

you could take your family pix at your house before the church. Groom's family at the reception hall (inside). that's what I'm doing.

How are you going to avoid the receiving line? I was toying with that idea also, but i feel like I'll be sentimental the day-of and wanting to greet and talk to everyone! it sure would save a lot of time not to do it, though

A lot of people suggested not doing the receiving line to save time and to not get all messed up kissing everyone before pictures. Sounds good to me! So, we can get out of the church faster. Our DOC is just going to get everyeone outside ASAP while we're hiding, distribute rose petals, set up for the big 'rose petal' picture and then we'll come out, take a few pictures, and hop into the limo. We're getting married on a Sunday, and we won't have to go on any highways to get to Planting Fields. There are a few back roads that will get us there, and it's on the way to Bayville. I was thinking of taking some family pics at Planting Fields, but only if we have time. The KEY is the 4:40 sunset on the BEACH. As long as everyone knows that, I think we might be okay. If we have to cut out of Planting Fields early, then so be it. The important pic is the beach sunset - and the photog, DOC and limo company all know that -and will be reminded. lol CAN NOT MISS SUNSET! lol. My cocktail hour starts at 4:30, and we're extending it a half hour until 6pm. We're actually going to mingle during the cocktail hour to make up for no receiving line and to not have to miss our reception time doing it.

Thank you for your opinions! I wish the church could just be a bit earlier, but I guess I have to defer to Sunday mass!