Not Having a First Look? Here’s What to Expect | Houston Wedding Photographer

If you plan on going the traditional route and skipping the first look, I’ve put together a list a simple list of minimum times you’ll need to carve out of your wedding day schedule if you’re not having a first look. 

Minimum photo times if you’re not having a first look

Family Formals

We try to photograph family members first, as they seem to get a bit antsy. Plus, if you have elderly parents or grandparents, or someone with physical ailments, it’s best to photograph them as quickly as possible so that they can enjoy the rest of the evening comfortably. 

My recommendation is to schedule a minimum of 45 minutes for family formal portraits. Of course we could trim this about 10 or so minutes if your family is a bit smaller. 

It also helps to speed things up if you designate a family member or friend who won’t be in the photos (on both sides of the family) to help assist with groupings, names, and special family dynamics. 

Off location photos when you’re not having a first look

If your venue doesn’t have the scenery for the portraits you’re wanting, you’ll have to gather everything up and transport it to the photo location. I recommend having a designated friend or someone who won’t be in the photos do this for you to save on time. 

Buffer times for when you’re not having a first look

Finally, it is incredibly hard to keep all family members, friends, and wedding party members together in one place post-ceremony. This proves even more difficult if your party is fairly large. For that reason, make sure you add on some buffer time in case you have to send your designated name caller or person to hunt them down. 

Not having a first look summary

In summary, please keep in mind that these are the absolute minimum times I recommend. As the number of wedding party and family members increases, the more time you’ll need to tack on.

I hope you found this blog post valuable and helpful. As a wedding photographer based in Houston, I travel the world and state capturing real life fairy tales. Complete the form to learn more or schedule a free consultation today. 

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