The Wedding Formals

Formal Portraitures

Formal Portraits of the Wedding Party can take place either before or after the ceremony - that is your choice. But in either case, it is important to schedule enough time for both the picture-taking and any travel time.

With enough time, people will not be in a rush, the professional photographer can really get "into a groove", and the results can be a good number or artistic and creative images.

Before the Ceremony

The professional photographer will tell you that many modern brides know that they look their best (and are the most relaxed) before the ceremony, and thus will schedule time for formal portraits of the entire wedding party before the ceremony. For best results, schedule a good 1 to 2 hours for formals if a separate (picturesque) location is desired.

After the Ceremony

You may elect to have group photos of the wedding party and their family members done right after the Ceremony, possibly at the cermony venue. This is usually a good time as everyone is present.

However, please be check with your venue when scheduling to be sure there is enough time -- sometimes a venue will have another wedding right afterwards!

After those photos are taken, then you may opt to have the Wedding Party travel to a picturesque location for the formals.

Planning for Formals

The more you are able to pad out the time between the Ceremony and the Reception, or between Getting Ready and the Ceremony, the more flexibility you will have.

Other wedding day rituals such as a Tea Ceremony will also be need to be taken into account.

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