Suffolk, VA

Serving all of the Hampton Roads/Tidewater, Peninsula, Tri cities and Richmond, Virginia

What we do on your

Wedding Day

We like to begin photographing at least one hour before the time of the ceremony. These photos can be taken inside or outside.   Generally, we start with the bride.  We like to photograph her separately, with her maid/matron of honor and then with all the bridesmaids.  We ask that the bride’s parents be present at the same time so we can photograph the three of them and then photograph them individually with the bride. We try to photograph the bride’s parents alone.  We also like to photograph the bride and her siblings.  If there are stepparents involved, we make every effort to photograph all parties separately or individually depending on the bride’s desire.  We then give the bride a chance to “rest” while we switch to the groom’s side and take the same type of photographs. 

 Once these photos are taken, we proceed to the ceremony site and get ready to photograph the ceremony.  We use both 35mm and medium format cameras and generally photograph from the back of the church.  We make use of the church balcony if one is available. We follow the church or the officiant’s policy when taking photographs during the ceremony. We do not move around nor do we use a flash during the ceremony itself.  Most churches will allow the use of a flash for the processional and the recessional only.   We photograph all of the major events during the ceremony such as the “giving away”, the exchange of the rings, lighting the unity candle, etc.  If there is not enough light or too much movement, we can re-enact the major parts and photograph them after the ceremony concludes. 

 Once the ceremony is over, we suggest the bridal party and the families go directly to a separate room and allow the guests to leave the ceremony site.  Once the way is clear, we will return to the front of the church for “altar returns.”   We begin this session by photographing the newlyweds with the minister/officiant. We photograph the couple with each set of parents and then both sets of parents together.  Next, we photograph the grandparents, together or separately with the couple, whichever is preferred by the newlyweds.  We photograph the entire wedding party and then the bride with the groomsmen and the groom with the bridesmaids.  If time permits, we will take any specially requested photographs before working solely with the newlyweds. 

 During the altar returns, we do not have time to wait for others to take their own pictures nor allow others to set-up their own poses!

 Once we finish at the ceremony site, we head to the reception.  Our plan is to be there before the couple so we can photograph their arrival and be in place to photograph the announcement of the parents, bridal couple and the newlyweds.

If a dinner is served, we take that “down time” to photograph the cake and the table.  We do not photograph while people are eating.  This is also a chance to “catch our breath” and get a bite and drink. 

We take all of the traditional photos during the ceremony to include the couple’s first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, the cake cutting, the toasts, garter and bouquet toss, etc.  If the couple is not having a fancy “send off” we can simulate an exit! 

 We generally talk with the bride the week of the wedding in order to finalize times and to discuss any final arrangements of which we need to be aware.