The in-between time

The time between the ceremony and reception is probably my most favorite part of the day. This in-between time provides the opportunity for photographers to be creative. Photographers during this time can get some fabulous portraits of the bride and groom and wedding party.

This article is part of a series on the various parts of the wedding day.

The in-between time doesn’t always occur. Sometimes the time isn’t there to allow for it. However, my experience has been that most brides and grooms take time for photos after the ceremony and before the reception.

My goal is to take that in-between time

My goal at the weddings I photograph is to find a park or another attractive spot for at least 30 minutes of photography. This gives the couple some lovely outdoor portraits of themselves. These photos often are be preferred over the more formal church portraits.

Almost always the wedding party is involved as well, and usually this is time for all to let go and have fun. Quite often we look for some fun photos. One of my most memorable is when the groom shook a bottle of champagne then opened it for it to spray out. The fun part was capturing the looks on faces.

Look for the best location

It’s important for the photographer to find a suitable location to do these photos that isn’t too far away from the church or the reception. While I have seen some photographers take the group to a remote location quite a distance away, I always look for a more convenient location. Sometimes this can even be outside the church. There are many churches that are on lovely grounds.

The photographer must work quickly during this time because the guests are waiting at the reception for the bride and groom to arrive. And sometimes the group wants to stop at a bar for some fun before going to the reception. This will further reduce the time the photographer has, so time is a factor.

Other articles in this series are on the first look, pre-wedding prep, ceremony and reception.