crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Just completed my first destination wedding in Jamaica. Actually 2 weddings in 1 week. (a brother and sister were both getting married....not to each other fyi)
Things I did well
1) Prescouting locations (lighting/time of day, composition, angles, settings for multi-flashgun setup)
2) Shot lists and times
3) Co-ordination with resort, gear readiness/awareness of 44degc relative humidty and factoring it in


Things I learned or should have known:
1) setting expectations on what can be achieved with a 1hr and 20min between ceremony and Reception. (family shots, beach shots and sunset...hmmm)
2) knowing the bridal party members were on "Island" time....I needed to forget the minute-level timing and set my expectations accordingly... roll with what they give you...(which of course I did but not after dealing with a little internal stress first)

Great experience and glad I did it. Would do it again...

I was basically both wedding party's "concierge" photographer and was available 24/7 while at the resort for all their photography needs.
...I think they loved the sniper candids more than the wedding photos....:-)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Yes! Some folks just don't believe in CLOCKS! That is TIME! Some people are punctual and will actually adhere to a reasonable shooting schedule. I find that most "stress" situations that occur at wedding can be avoided by a good deal of advance planning with the couple.

I simply explain that I am going to cover their wedding in a very comprehensive manner. I will always be at the right place at the right time to catch all of the spontaneous activities- all the emotion and festivity. I do not want to be a "wedding dictator" and run the show, in fact, I want to be unobtrusive and go unnoticed most of the time. But here's the big HOWEVER- if the expect really elegant formals, with attention to detail, beautifully arranged groups and a romantic set of sunset images- well theses images won't just materialize without their cooperation. So...although I am a sweet guy who rolls with the punches- who never gets rattled at weddings- I need to be their DRILL INSTRUCTOR for a small percentage of the day! I will need their undivided attention, no interference from amateurs, and no messing around! Whatever time we put aside the formals is GOLDEN- a small window of opportunity! the usually get my drift! IT WORKS! I also emphasize the fact that I want to get the formals done while everyone is fresh, rested and dressed to the nines! Once the party starts- game over!

I try to encourage the couple to see each other before the ceremony so we can get most of the formals out of the way and they get to enjoy the entire day without interruption. If they are traditional or superstitious and won't see each other beforehand, at least I will get the bride and her crew to pose prior to the ceremony and start early enough to get the grooms crew in as well. This mitigates the time required between the ceremony and the reception. It is not especially hard to pull this off if the whole event is at one location- like a resort.

After the ceremony, I start with the largest groups and then send most of the folks off the the party. Then I can finish off with the couple with some degree of privacy.

The deal is that they get to enjoy the rest of the day without being dragged away for missing shots and I get to cover the action without disrupting anything. Everyone has fun! Well, time and tide wait for no man so the have to be right on time for the sunset!

Surprisingly, 97% of the time my plan works out. The other 3%, well, that's why I get the big bucks.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

I have the same process. Out of the way, wouldn't know I was there except for the signing of the register.
Turn into a drill sargeant for the formals...usually have a 2nd person mobilize the shot list so I can focus on the photo and capture the target's attention to look at the camera (not the baby, not uncle bill with his iPhone standing 12ft to the left of me, not you fingernails, not....). Birbery works in this case, get to the party faster once I get my shot :-)
Photos are arranged by family and try to release the older folks early if it is a hot day...

1st wedding was a reveal and the next was not.
1st wedding the groom did not stick to the timing so we (the bride and I) decided to dump him and we focused on her, until he arrived at her balcony for the reveal. Then I got them both.


2nd wedding was a jam session. Bride and Groom were late on all their timing on the day. Threw out the plan and went into improv mode.
Only disapointment was not getting the sunset shot as the clouds moved in 5min before we got into position. They understand I can't control the weather ...I think I was
more upset than them. Did some speedlight work at a candlelight over-the-water gazebo the next night as a suprise...they love it

In the end, it all worked out and both clients are over the moon.

I am never happy but often satisfied and as long as I set expectations that will allow me to exceed them , I will have a high likelihood of happy customers :-)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

That's an area that I've really changed my tactics from when I started in the 80's. Partly, because people now are the same, but have vastly different attitudes.

I try to meet face to face for "planning sessions" or whatever you want to call them. I actually call the consultations, at least 3 times before the wedding. It isn't long or formal, but I do explain the need (NEEEED) for either twice as much time as they might think, or for first looks. I've told my story about how I try to convince them about first looks......the "old, It's from the days of arranged marriages, and they did it, because they were afraid the groom would run away when he first saw his bride, so they wanted it to be in front of the church..story" It often works, especially if the couple lives together first (which ,most do, at least in my area) I explain that if they want the "pinterist bride" photos, they HAVE to do first looks, and/or give me time between ceremony and reception, and either way, they have to be ready to MOVE to get it all done.
I had 2 weddings this summer where I didn't get the first looks, or the time (any time) between ceremony and reception, and they didn't get all the formals they wanted. It was discussed, they both actually understood, and actually apologized to me for not listening. One paid me handsomely to go back a couple of weeks later, and do their formal shots then. They paid to re-rent the guys tux's, the girls all got their hair and makeup done again, Parents and grandparents came all "spiffy" they paid the hall for a few hours, and we did a whole "first looks, and formals shoot.
Not everyone will be so cooperative, or will want their wedding photography bad enough to go through all that, but the point is, they were educated well before hand. It was handled in a way where it was a discussion, not just a line in my contract. I go bonkers when I see posts on other sights that say "it's in my contract, no "f-ing" way" etc. If you build good will before hand, educate them, and become their friend that they can come to with answers for other questions about vendors etc. Even if it doesn't work out exactly as planned, they will still be your biggest champions and send their friends to you. One disgruntled bride posting negative comments about you online can lose you tons of business. We are educators, mentors, and guiding them through a process that we've done countless times, and it's their first time. If you are confident, and kind, they will love you. I still say that wedding photography is 90% psychology.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Agree with all of it.
One thing I think I am doing right. Set expectations, contract to the agreement and then overdeliver in those expectations. And where possible suprise them with unexpected value...
The experience/wisdom gained is what I keep incrementally adding into the process but the process itself appears to be correct.

Thanks for your perspective.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Agreed, over-deliver... I always, 100% of the time, will give them a wedding gift. By the time of the wedding, they are actually friends, and I would give gifts to any friends, so why not the couple?

I was just taken out to dinner last night by one of my previous couples. They called me up, and invited my wife and I to dinner. They didn't want anything, other than to "hang out." Guess who the first person they will call for family photos, or baby shots when the time comes?

Yes, we all know that the cost of the gift is part of the package, but I will actually wrap it up in wedding paper. It's not always an extra print or canvas, sometimes it's just funny his and hers coffee mugs or something. I try to tailor the gift to the people, like I would for any friend. Our business is built on relationships. They will be my best advertisement, and best source for future photography of them and their family.