Final Pre-Wedding Meeting - Why They Are So Important

Let’s be honest, a bride will spend on average two hours discussing the details of the floral arrangements with their florist. They will spend an average of three hours meeting and discussing the details of the wedding cake ingredients and design with their wedding cake maker. They will spend several hours working with their dress maker. So why would a bride not spend at least two hours discussing the details of the wedding with their photographer.

Not being on the same page with your wedding photographer is the absolute best way to be less than thrilled with your wedding images. No matter whom the photographer or the client is there is no sure thing when it comes to coming out with the images both parties are happy with.

From my own experience, I have had clients who loved my style and work but when we discussed the details of what images they really wanted to see in the final package, they were ones I would never have thought of. I have had other clients who when we discussed things they loved everything I came up with and had no input of their own yet were very happy with the final images.

So as you can see, there is no client that is the same. This is why pre-wedding meeting with your photographer or client is very important. Brides and Grooms, if you wedding photographer wants to set-up a time to meet or speak prior to the event, make the time and clear a couple of hours for this. Wedding photographers, I recommend the same. I recommend doing this no more than one month from the wedding day and no less than 1 week. I believe in this because 90% of all wedding details are finalized within this period. Any earlier and the photographer mind find out that an assistant or equipment is needed for the event with not enough time to get either. Any further out and chances are things will change before the wedding and your planning is all but ruined.

Here are some important items to remember to ask or bring answers for:

What are the Events?

Sounds like a simple question, but I have found that no two weddings are the same unless it is a package deal at a wedding hall. I have had weddings where the wedding and the reception were held two feet from each other. I have had some where they had the wedding at the church followed immediately with champagne and cake cutting in the churches garden and then everyone went to the reception location at a private residence. So as you can see, details and locations always change. Be ready to give the photographer the breakdown of when and were specific events will take place. This includes addresses of various locations. Google and Mapquest have made lives easier but it is still better to get it directly from the client.

Schedule of Events:

This is VERY important because it allows the photographer to plan out equipment, how to set up for each and what time requirements will be needed. This will also tie into the next area which is…

Desired Coverage Expectations:

What and where do you want the photographer to be for each event in the schedule? This will help answer many questions about what is needed to complete each aspect and what can and cannot be done. For example, if the bride and groom are at separate hotels and the wedding is at a church, the client can not expect the photographer to be able to shoot the groom’s party getting ready and the bride’s party getting ready by them selves. One of two things will be needed. Either hire an assistant with photography training to shoot one group while the primary photographer shoots the other. Or, the bridal party or groom’s party will have to be ready at least 90 minutes prior to the event so that the photographer can shoot them, then go to the other party’s location before then going to the church to set up.

List of Formal Portraits:

This is very important. Bride and Groom, I can not stress enough how important it is to have a list of the portrait shots you wish to have taken as well as the people in each. It is also helpful to assign someone from either the wedding party who knows everyone involved who can assist the photographer in getting each person for each portrait. A few things to remember for the formal portraits:

1. Keep the number of images down. This is not the time to have pictures taken with your cousins and all of your aunts and uncles. Those can be shot during the reception.

2. Expect to use the whole Cocktail Hour. This is what it was created for, to entertain your guest while you and your party have portraits done.

3. No Guests or Cameras. I am now a dictator about this. You are paying us good money for these images. Guests not only delay the process, but people taking pictures with their own cameras can not only because one or more people in each grouping to look at them instead of the photographer but also because their flashes can interfere with ours and cause shadows or exposures that ruin your images. If they want a picture for themselves, most of use offer them the ability to order online for very little cost. And whether they like it or not, our image will be much better than theirs anyways.

Special Requests:

Keep in mind, we are not personal friends or families or your. So we will not know who your grandmother is nor will be know what specific images are important to you. Before hand let us know if there is someone you want us to take a picture of you with. Let is know if there is a particular shot you want such as a picture of the two of you standing in front of the church thanking each guest as they leave. I recommend that you give us a list the day of so that way we can use it as a check list allowing you to enjoy your day. This way if we look at our list and see we have not shot you and your Aunt Diane, we can come and let you know that we still need to shot that one.

Finally, Discuss Style: You should always know your photographers style based on the samples you have seen. We generally tend not to be chameleons in this aspect. However, make sure to discuss this a little when you first meet. In addition, and this is VERY important, discuss how you want the event shot.