Cocktail hour for newlyweds can feel like a marathon if it means rushing through a shower of congratulations while taking romantic wedding portraits and gathering up your party for formals. It’s such a small window of time to cram everything in and no matter how hard you try to stay on track it’s inevitable that you’ll miss your cocktail hour all together. If you’re running really behind (which happens a lot) you run the risk of delaying the reception leaving yourself utterly frayed and your guests hungrily waiting. Seriously…you just got married! It’s not the time to be stressed. Give yourself the chance to be present and have more time to enjoy your family and friends.
- Time! One hour seems like a lot, but let’s be realistic, no matter how you do the math, it’s still only 60 minutes. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend this time with your family and friends. After all, the guests are there to spend time with you and celebrate you.Sharing moments of togetherness and joy make wedding day extra special
- Risk! Think about all the effort that went into choosing the best photographer for your wedding portraits and THEN... Think about you giving them only 20-30 minutes to do their best work! Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket. Scheduling key portraits in the busiest most demanding hour of your day is taking a HUGE risk that you will get the images you desire. There are no do overs on wedding day. Don’t gamble with the outcome of your investment by not considering a myriad of location and lighting variables that impact what can be accomplished in a rushed period of time. Minimize stress by working with your photography team pre wedding to plan a realistic timeline.
- Stress! Your wedding day can be stressful enough so why would you add more to the mix? Cramming all your wedding portraits into one tiny hour is like paying for a very expensive meal and then asking the restaurant to box it up so you can eat it in your car while on a phone interview for the job of your life. Give yourself time to savor the day by being present and spending your cocktail hour with each other. Since guests had a chance to say hello to you already you can now relax during dinner. There will be no need to skip the meal or do awkward table side pictures with guests.
- There is no better place then in the arms of the one you love. Stop and take a moment in together.
You’re probably wondering when formals will be taken if not during cocktail hour. Here are two options to consider that will help maximize both your wedding day and your resources.
- First Look
A First Look is when a bride and groom see each other before the wedding ceremony. This is done alone, away from your wedding party, and it is a moment shared by just the two of you. Allocating time for first look also offers you time to have romantic formals done outside the demands that exist post ceremony. It not only gives you an opportunity to savor the first time you see each other but it also allows you to calm your nerves and look your best during formals.
- Separate Day Formals
Consider having your wedding portraits taken on a separate day. This gives couples an amazing opportunity to experience an adventure with one another and benefit for choice of optimal location, lighting and a world of creative possibilities. They can be done anywhere and anytime free of schedule restraints. This is a great option for those couples that prefer to not see each other before the ceremony but don’t want to risk the quality of their wedding portraits by having them crunched into that hour before the reception.
For more wedding day tips follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google +.
Planning a wedding? We are excited to hear from you and are always happy to help. Call us at 562 706.0032 or fill out this little note and we will contact you!
Our photography design studio is located in the beautiful city of Belmont Shore in Long Beach, California at:
4720 E. 2nd Street, Suite #5
Belmont Shore, Ca 90803
Visit the Blossom Blue Photography Website
0 Comments