Planning your time for the day before the day arrives
by Robert Albanese Photography

The beautiful photograph of the rings resting on the flowers of the bride's bouquet can only happen if you've planned to have both the rings and the bouquet in the same place before the rings are on your respective fingers. After all, usually he has the rings and you have the bouquet...

Have enough time set aside between the ceremony and the reception to adequately allow for a relaxed photo shoot, more time is better... Your guests may actually benefit from a longer break between the main events. It could mean time for an afternoon siesta, or a short sightseeing tour or a quiet visit with relatives.

Plan to do the family and bridal party shots first that way those members of the party can head off as soon as those photographs are done. This will allow for the romantic photos of just the two of you to be more relaxed and more private.

Reception Photographs: Make sure you ask prospective photographers if they stay for the whole reception. Often the really fun stuff happens after all the formalities are out of the way, that's when you really relax and party with your guests. Those candid moments make great memories.

Before the big day think of nominating a close family friend or relative from each side of the family to act as a go between for your photographer. It should be someone who will take the responsibility for this serious job. They need to point out important family and friends to the photographer. They can even gather groups together for some all important family pictures.

Avoid table shots if possible, they usually end up 80% table, 20% people (and the "people" are turned awkwardly towards the camera with food in their mouths). Candid shots are great and you should expect to have them. But to have a more complete record of your guests, plan to have the table groupings pause on their way to the buffet table at a predetermined spot where the photographer can creatively capture the group (if it's a sit down affair opt instead for smaller groups as they file through your receiving line. You can even turn it into a game with the DJ or MC calling up the whole table group for their turn in the photo booth.

Some simple advance planning between the two of you with your photographer will help assure that you have beautiful memories to remember all of your special guests.