Photographers...is an hour enough?

Here is my dilemma. My fiance does not want to see me before I walk down the aisle. We are having our ceremony and reception in the same place, and have no time between the two to take pictures, so we'll have to do it during the cocktail hour.

My photographer is going to come to my house earlier and take pics of me and my bridal party, as well as my portraits, then head to the hall to take fiance and his ushers and his portraits....but will the cocktail hour be enough for the family pictures, bridal party pics and our portraits together? His family is only 5 people, mine is like 14. Our bridal party is large, with 6 bridesmaids and 8 ushers. Will we be okay, or am I staring down the barrel of a nightmare evening of pictures and no dancing!

Thanks for any feedback!

You have to understand that every photographer is different in their style and manner of working. Some like to take a lot of time arranging the poses while others, who shoot more photojournalistically, meaning more candidly, take less time and therefore, things move more quicker. But, it also depends on how many family photos the photographer is in the habit of shooting or how many combinations of family photos the couple wishes. Some families are really close and want quite a few breakdowns of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. Others only want their immediate family, meaning parents and siblings. When we have a situation where the couple doesn't want to see each other and is using their cocktail hour, we can get it all done in an hour. We even try to give the couple a little time in the cocktail hour, if at all possible. It is hectic though, and not the way I like to do it as the cocktail hours, in my opinion, are so good, I hate for you to miss it but, we honor our couple's wishes for the way they like to have their wedding run. You also don't get the freedom to move around to a lot of different locations, just because time doesn't allow it. I hope this helps a little, but again, the best is to check with your own photographer. Good luck!

Thank you so much for responding. I'm going to take it up with my photographer. Worst case scenario, my husband and I will have to slip out during dinner to take our portraits.

Thanks!

Wow, now I wish I had hired you!

Thank you very much.

I know, it's cool. Thank you for the advice!

Hi. I agree with the other photographers that each professional works differently. It may be possible for your photographer to determine how long those remaining formal photos will take if you provide him/her with a list of the various groupings that you want. Most photographers can estimate approximate portrait times in advance, which may
relieve any anxieties you might have.