Reading Wedding Photographer's day out in London

Yes, I know Reading and London aren't that far apart, but still it's nice to have a change of scene... and what better place than our capital city!

Now if I start talking churches gloriously adorned in gold, white and red, HUGE wedding breakfasts, and superb socialising over the meal (which is a way of life) some people might just recognise that I've covered an Italian wedding!

This particular ceremony was in Farringdon, where typically the church was not impressive from the outside, but wow... from the inside!! Afterwards guests too a London bus (private hire) to the reception at Hampton Court, travelling right through the centre of London along the banks of the Thames.

Great wedding, or as the Italians would say..."bellissimo!"

What should wedding photographers wear?

Clothes!

... well at least when they're working. But seriously, this question does come up quite a lot. And it's not that surprising because I have heard some horror stories, not least because my industry has its share of idiots and chancers like most others. Jeans and a T shirt should be a definite no no!

Firstly, you're the employer and as such don't feel awkward about asking the question or making (reasonable) stipulations. 

Secondly, it's a wedding. Anybody working there should show respect to the people and the occasion. Whether they're a wedding photographer from Reading or a DJ from Ibiza, common sense must prevail.

Now, there is a train of thought in the wedding photography business that us 'Togs' (as for some strange reason we have named ourselves) believe we must be comfortable. This is not unreasonable, and very sensible. But this shouldn't detract from being smart and presentable.

Far be it for me to say what wedding photographers should wear (we're generally big enough and ugly enough to make our own decisions), but I see nothing wrong with wearing a suit (for the men) just like the other male guests. Female photographers, I believe, should be equally smart but obviously not too "dressy", they need to remain practical. 

Some photographers will wear a top with a logo. You may or may not find this acceptable, and your view may be effected by the colouring and size of any logo on display.

So, do ask. You may be glad you did!

Who can get married in a cathedral?

Can anyone get married in a cathedral? Not surprisingly, the answer is no.

A cathedral must rank as one of the grandest places to have your wedding, if not the grandest. I recently photographed a wedding at Salisbury Cathedral…. and wow! I’ve seen some churches, but the sheer scale of Salisbury Cathedral makes it extremely impressive.

The couple didn’t just rock up and ask to be wed there. Oh no. A cathedral has its own parish (in this case the Cathedral Close), so those worshipping there on a regular basis can count it as “their church”. By chance my wedding couple actually lived outside the Close, but had long been welcomed to the congregation. Even so they had to apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury to be allowed to hold their wedding in Salisbury. Apparently the agreement sent to them was something akin to the Magna Carter or some Royal charter, very impressive and in keeping with the venue itself.

As with many places of worship, be warned. The professional photographer can be restricted in what they do. This is, of course, always to be respected… and even then a real treat.

When to have speeches at a wedding

"When do we have the speeches? It’s after the meal isn’t it?"

Well, not always.

There aren’t the wedding rules like there used to be. So why not make your wedding day suit you? I often hear myself encouraging Brides and Grooms to “Build it how you want it, because you really can!”

OK, so more often than not when I photograph a wedding the speeches do occur after the Wedding breakfast. But there has been a trend over the last few years to “do your own thing”. The main reason for moving the speeches seems to be in consideration of the speakers themselves. Let’s face it most people aren’t used to standing up in front of a packed room and waxing lyrically for 5 or 10 minutes. It’s a nervy/scary situation for most involved, and the anticipation could potentially ruin their enjoyment of the lovely food put before them (if it’s touched at all)!

So what are the options?

The most popular variation is to do the speeches before the Wedding Breakfast. Beware here, depending on meal time your guests may be hungry so pushing back the food might not be well received! I have also seen speeches take place between courses, but as a rule Chefs hate this because they are trying to get hot food out on time. The other option, which I have seen quite a few times (although it doesn’t help with the above paragraph), is to do the speeches before or during the dessert.

By the way, photographing the speeches can be a joy. The Bride and Groom rarely know what’s going to be said and consequently there can be some great expressions which all make for wonderful wedding photos.

Wedding rings, here are some ideas

Choosing a wedding ring? Not so easy is it! There are plenty of shopping options now: Reading, Basingstoke, Salisbury, good online services, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter (excellent choice and service!), Hatton Garden etc. You'll receive loads of great advice whichever route you take. But where do you start? Well, style is a good place, so take a look at what I've been seeing at my weddings. Obviously some styles suit some fingers better than others, so you really need to try rings on before making a firm decision. Once you know the style you can then start considering what materials... and then watch the prices rocket, but hey, it's once in a lifetime and you knew at the outset it wasn't going to be cheap!

Wedding photos, why it's not all about albums

Photography is a wonderful art form, and can be presented in a variety of ways. I'm forever ordering prints and albums, they're not going away any time soon. And of course, everyone now wants digital for that instantaneous fix... so online galleries, apps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest, they all come into play. But I want to wave the flag for the rather humble slideshow. And here's why...

They've been around a while now and are often ignored or under appreciated. But here's the thing- They're a really good way to view and share your photos! They can easily be put on social media, or played on the device of your choice or even on a Smart TV's. As a wedding photographer I get close to my photos when I'm editing/processing them. And every time I get to do the slideshow I love it! The addition of transition and sound really boost the pictures, and this combination gives the telling of the wedding story a moving edge. This is why for every marriage I cover I now provide a slideshow as standard. The feedback I've received from Brides & Grooms has been excellent, and I firmly believe a photography package with a slideshow offers a better option for the couple.

Wedding Photographers Day Out

I've long understood the importance of making some room for a little Continuous Professional Development. Weddings and photography both evolve and it's important to keep up. This can come in many forms, and on many occasions I have done the easy thing and jumped in to Youtube or googled something that had recently grabbed my interest on the technical or art side of things. One source I have found useful is The Photographer Academy which amongst other things boasts thousands of online videos for photographers. It's a paid service, but pretty cool.. everything is there.

So when an old friend suggested a visit to one of the Photography Academy 'Big Photo UK Tour' dates, I thought why not! And it was free!! A no brainer really. Expertly run by Mark Cleghorn I found there was something for every professional photographer. From swift show of hands there were plenty of wedding photographers there, but also portrait photographers, and commercial photographers. It was a real mix. During the day there were 2 sample photo shoots where we were walked through Mark's lighting techniques, and ample time to meet other "Togs" (yes, I know - stupid name- but that's what we call ourselves!!) and browse the trade stands from Loxley, Kaleidoscope, 3XM & Elinchrom. Not only was it possible to properly view these products but staff were on hand to answer any questions. There were also further seminars on business practice and how to use Facebook (which sounds obvious, but this goes well beyond your own personal use).

Upon my return I was pleased to know that I had some fresh ideas, confirmation that I was doing things right, and pointers as to how to conduct my wedding photography business better. So all in all a worthwhile exercise. Now, back to the nitty gritty, I have some photos to process!

Mark demonstrates the impact of different lighting setups.

Mark demonstrates the impact of different lighting setups.

Your very own app

I'm very excited to announce that I am now offering clients an app with all my wedding packages.

With modern technology the ways to view photographs are becoming more and more diverse. And sharing that viewing experience has become more and more important. I have therefore decided to provide a personalised wedding app to all my couples. 

They are an easy way to view and share a selection of your "Unforgettable Wedding" pictures and the slideshow. The app also acts as a convenient gateway to your full 'Online Gallery' where all your photos can be seen (and bought). Ideal for far flung family and friends! 

Try out my business card app which works the same way and looks like my client apps. It will work on phones, tablets, and even laptops and desktops. The link is: http://m.mp-app.com/timwhitingphotography/TWP

Enjoy!

Showtime!

'Unforgettable Wedding' couples now receive a bespoke photographic slideshow of their day. The slideshows are HD and backed with music. As an mp4 file they can be played on your pc, tablet, phone, and smart TV. Already they are proving a popular addition to all my wedding packages. Take a look at this one...

Nautical Wedding

I often tell people that every wedding is different, and this is due to the people. I could photograph a wedding at the same venue on consecutive weeks and the two occasions would be totally different. The backdrop won't have changed, but the people will look different and act differently. However, that environment I work in does dictate how I work and what I can do. So it's great when I get to go somewhere new, and even better when that somewhere new is something out of the ordinary. 

The other week I was lucky enough to photography Maryam & Matthew's wedding on the south coast. The church was located in a typical residential area, but they had laid on a boat trip up the Hamble to their reception at a restaurant in a boat yard / marina. This made a pleasant change to my normal working surroundings and was hugely helped by some hot "summer" weather! I love my job, and this variety is one of the reasons. 

Ironically, I've noticed couples are often worried about their wedding plans and the impact on me. "Is that going to be OK?" I get asked. Unsurprisingly, my answer is always "Absolutely. Bring it on!". Sadly, I'm still waiting for someone to say "We're getting married in a space ship orbiting the earth. Would that be OK?". Well we can all dream. So maybe one day...............

What's In A Meeting?

Plenty of couples mail me or phone me looking to see if I'm available on their big day. This can be the first step on a long journey.

Some couples have done all their online research and want to hire me there and then. Some couples want to delve deeper. Well, we are all different - and I wouldn't expect anyone to commit to me as their photographer unless they are totally happy. 

But regardless of a couples desire to hire me or not at that stage I always suggest meeting up. In fact I generally see couples twice. Once initially, when I am booked..., and then again about a month before the wedding at the venue(s). Most people see the need to go to the venue beforehand. I am very keen to check it out and also get their thoughts on where to do photos etc.

But not everyone sees the need for that initial meeting and I think they are missing the point. For me, the first meeting is a key part of my preparation... and when I say "my preparation", I mean their preparation! Most couples I see haven't been married before and their only experience of a wedding is as a guest (where everything happens and they don't even think about it). Where many couples have a good idea of timings for their day (the Ceremony is at **** and will end at **** etc) I am often the missing part of the jigsaw - "How long will the photography take?" I am usually asked. Well, it's not a simple question to answer (and to avoid going through it all again I refer you to my previous blog http://www.timwhitingphotography.co.uk/wedding-photography-blog/2014/8/18/all-about-those-group-shots ). It can be a complex issue and thrashing it out face to face is undoubtedly the easiest way. Many couples find it extremely useful to discuss the photography and go through the timings, and of course so do I. My understanding of the timings and ability to execute the photography to deadlines (particularly the serving of food) is crucial. 

OK, "we get it" you say..... but there's more. I am (most likely) someone you don't know, who you want to capture intimate parts of your wedding day, who you want (and need) to be comfortable and relaxed with when you're in front of the camera. Meeting up and going through the above process does something else. It helps us to get to know each other a little. This is seldom considered, but something I have at the top of my list. It helps you (be relaxed on the day), and it helps me produce what you want. Understanding a bit about you and your characters certainly gives me a head start. And although a meeting is usually only an hour or so, by the time we've met again at the Pre Wedding (venue) Meeting I sense we are all comfortable with what lies ahead. The realisation that it's in my interest for the day to run smoothly and I want to help make that happen is quite powerful. And once you've seen that I am preparing properly it's easier for you to trust me too. So hopefully this gives you an idea of the true value of that initial meeting. We all end up winners!

Keep Confetti Alive!

A wedding today is a modern celebration. Couples are able to build their special day and make it pretty much what they want it to be. On the whole the traditions of old are still repeated week in week out, after all keeping these traditions (for many) makes a wedding. But spare a thought for the surprisingly overlooked confetti! For one reason or another I have noticed fewer weddings have featured the old classic.. throwing confetti. Come on folks, make room for a little fun!

Confetti dates back to pagan times, and the current paper/petals option has evolved from the throwing of sweets (particularly in Italy) and grains. One reason for it's fall from grace has been that some wedding venues decided due to the mess and inconvenience to ban the throwing of confetti, but I sense this has changed recently - customer is king after all. There can also be environmental issues if the confetti is not biodegradable (although biodegradable confetti is now widely available). Some have opted for the bubbles option, which seems a good idea but frankly lacks impact and urgency (and therefore excitement). 

So come on folks, it's down to you Brides and Grooms to be. Make confetti throwing part of your day! Check with your venue to see what they allow and where. Buy (yes you) biodegradable confetti (and lots of it) so that this can be handed out to everyone. It really is a shame to miss out. It's fun for your guest (and involves them in the celebration), and of course can make a good photo (sorry, my hidden agenda is revealed). But in all seriousness, why not have another and different part of your day to remember? Keep confetti alive!!!

Boogie On Down

There's no shortage of DJ's. One of my favourites is Nick who runs Big Night Out. His care and attention to wedding couples is unparallelled. It’s good to have a mix between someone who is considerate of your tastes, but also has a lot of wisdom and experience. Everyone has different tastes, so I think it’s important for DJ’s to try to respect that as much as possible and play something for everyone. It takes a lot of experience to be able to take your guests on a journey through these different styles in a seamless and smooth manner! And of course, ultimately a DJ needs to play what you want too!

Nick loves music, and has some cool kit to add colour to proceedings. If you're considering wedding reception entertainment he has got to be worth investigating!

Thinking Of A Cake?

Do I see cakes? Well yes, loads of them! Here's a sample:

OK, stop salivating! Time to get ordering! For a May to September wedding it's best to order 12 months ahead (October to March 6 months)!! I'm sure someone can accomodate your date whenever it is, but to avoid disappointment.........

I can highly recommend the good people at Baked By Butterflies. Mark is highly skilled, his cakes are pieces of art! Take a look at their site.

Arrive In Style

Anyone looking for a wedding car... look no further. Brian at Cathedral Cars is your man. Cathedral Cars are an award winning 'Wedding Transport Supplier' so it's best to get booked up early. Our paths have crossed many times and my preference is for the 1935 Rolls Royce, but the Daimler is popular with it's twin confetti cannons.... yes really. See below!

Serious Photographers Daytrip

Every year I carry myself off to the big lights of London in search of knowledge, ideas, and inspiration. Surprisingly I find all this in a hotel!.... but before you jump to any conclusions please read on!

The pilgrimage I make is to the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers Convention. This professional body (of which I am a member) lay on masterclasses, seminars, competitions, and a trade show. And this year I took the trip with an old friend of mine, Jonathan, who is in the portrait photography business. 

This years event was excellent as usual. Keeping up with trends and product options is a must for me, and there is no better way of doing this. Actually getting touchy feely with what's available cannot be beaten. And with suppliers staff on hand (let's face it guys you're on a bit of a jolly really) products can be really explored. And having Jonathan along meant I was able to share ideas and concerns. Useful! 

For the 6th year running I came away knowing my working relationship with printing lab Loxley Colour would continue. I can't say I was surprised. They keep winning industry awards for their products and service. Yet again, in overall terms, no one is properly competing with them in my opinion... although some are getting closer! Most importantly I still love their stuff over pretty much anybody else and regardless of price.

We were a little concerned to see so many album providers. This is a crowded market and most seem to have similar offerings. Hmmm, something will have to give. Maybe we won't see you all next year....

So I have returned. Full of ideas, and intent on restructuring my packages and adding to what I offer. This is a bigger job than you'd imagine. So that's enough blogging, I'd better crack on and get on with it! Welcome 2016, I'm looking forward to the year ahead!!

Weddings, the camera, and me

I am a full time wedding photographer. Based near Salisbury I am happy to (and do) travel all over the south of England, particularly around Reading, Berkshire where I lived for 40 years. The variety of shooting at different venues is very appealing. I frequently find myself working around Andover, Bath, Basingstoke, Bournemouth  Reading, Salisbury, and Southampton; although I have been known to shoot weddings in Chelmsford, Chester, Halifax, London, Leicester, and even Melbourne Australia!

I live with (the lovely) Marnie and our two cocker spaniels Isla & Max in a small village in the picturesque Wylye Valley. In my spare time I enjoy watching Reading FC, table tennis, cinema, music, travelling and eating out. I don't enjoy having my photograph taken, champagne, or rain.

In Marrakech

In Marrakech

Photography has always been an interest of mine, first learning skills with Zenit E & TTL cameras in the early 1980's. In 2007, during a year travelling (Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, & Europe) I realised that I couldn't return to my old job. The world was big, life was short. My eyes had been opened. This proved to be my real "What's it all about?" moment. Knowing that I wanted to do something I enjoyed, was workable, and meant something, I considered my options. Premiership footballer? That was never going to happen! Rock star. Don't be ridiculous! It was whilst photographing people in Cambodia that the obvious struck me. I could be a photographer!

In fact this had been a long held ambition, extinguished in my latter school days by my lack of a good grasp of science. But hey this was the 21st century, I was a grown up, everything was digital... and as they say "where there's a will there's a way". On my return to the UK I enrolled on two courses. I read everything I could get my hands on. Surfed the web (endlessly). Watched videos. Did online training. Watched more videos. Did a distance learning course. Went to trade shows. I was a sponge! Then I got my break. A neighbour (thanks John) introduced me to his daughter who was getting married. I am ever grateful to Ashlee and Stephen, who showed such trust in me (with no track record)! This was my big test. Could I do it? Did I really want to do it? Looking back I was extremely well prepared and thankfully everything went well. The revelation for me was yes I could do it, and not only did I like doing it... I loved it!

Things have evolved since then. My job isn't just about taking pictures. I have become somewhat of an expert in photo editing (NX2 and Photoshop). My website is all my own work, even down to learning how to rank well in a Google search. Then there's marketing, accounts, networking, & training. I love it all. I feel so lucky. 2015 has been my busiest year to date. I can't wait to see what 2016 brings, who I'll meet along the way, and where I'll be working.

Belonging to the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers, I keenly observes the ethical and professional standards expected of its members. 

My photo on a billboard in Salisbury!

My photo on a billboard in Salisbury!

The Bride & Groom Wedding Shoot. My philosophy.

Most people are not models or actors and tend to look better when they are acting naturally and being themselves. When it comes to photographs of the Bride and Groom this is always utmost in my mind. Rather than unfamiliar contrived poses I prefer to offer general direction followed by (if required) minor tweaks. The trick is not to micro manage people, this only leads to a forced looking image. The more instructions people have, the more conscious and wooden they become. By encouraging the Bride and Groom to do things they are comfortable with ensures that they will be at ease with the camera, and thus makes a pleasing picture much more likely.

Obviously we are all different. Some of us are models, or actors. Some of us are quirky or even extrovert. Some of us (like me) hate being photographed. Having met the couple beforehand helps me understand what they are like, what to them is "natural", and how much they can be posed. The trick is to never lose sight of what they are about, and always aim to capture the essence of people wherever possible. Really shy people shouldn't be asked to do cheesy poses, for example. It wouldn't be fair to that person... and is guaranteed to look wrong. Conversely, asking a jack-in-the-box character to subdue themselves for the camera is equally unfair, and is guaranteed to look equally wrong!

In summary, whoever you are, whatever you're like, I want my Brides and Grooms to be themselves, relax, enjoy each others company, smile, and look forward to the next part of the day, the next chapter of their life together... their happily ever after, and be able to look back on my pictures and proudly say "that was us"! 

All About Those Group Shots!

As a Wedding Photographer I see one wedding matter that continually baffles Brides and Grooms to be. And really it's hardly surprising, because in truth it's a subject that varies from couple to couple and depends on a number of factors that aren't always obvious. When to do them, how many to do, and who should be in them? I am, of course, talking about the formal Group Shots. Straight forward you might think, but a part of your special day that can easily trip you up.

What makes the Group Shots difficult for people is that there are no definitive rules about organising this part of the day. It's all about personal choice! Let's face it, most of you haven't been married before so you're bound to need a little help. If you've been a wedding guest you will know that the group photos are a feature of the day. Now you're in the hot seat where do you start? Well, a good wedding photographer will offer guidance, and you need to think about the following things.

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING DAY TO BE LIKE?

The first thing we have to remember is that your wedding day is just that, yours! Don't let other people (family, friends, or even a photographer) tell you how it must be. What YOU want YOUR wedding day to be like should dictate everything. When it comes to photography some couples love being in front of the camera, some don't. This alone can contribute to your Group Shot decisions! You will be in most, if not all of the pictures. So during the photography time you won't be chatting to guests, enjoying the party, or relaxing. And what of your guests? It's generally accepted that there will be photographs at weddings, but how quickly will they get bored? Won't they want to spend time with you? You have to decide.... what's it to be? Wedding or photo shoot, or something inbetween? 'Inbetween' is what most people go for. They want the formal pictures for their album, and they want their family and friends to have them too. There's no getting away from it, having some Group Shots is a necessity. However, I am often told "We don't want the photography to take over the day". Ultimately it's important to get the balance right. You will have to decide what works best for you.

 

HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE?

A big factor is time. One thing is for certain, when the Group Shots can take place is fairly limited. Mostly they occur somewhere between the end of the ceremony and the start of the Wedding Breakfast (so this could be at the church/ceremony, or reception venue... or both). Usually this amounts to 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Sounds like plenty of time.... But before you rush off and compose a huge list be sure to deduct time for the following:

  • Guests congratulating you after the ceremony (Often underestimated - this will be 10 minutes+),

  • Confetti (There goes another 10 minutes),

  • Travelling (If applicable, ? minutes),

  • Mingling with the guests for drinks and canapés (It's your party, take part! Ask yourselves again WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING DAY TO BE LIKE?)

  • Wedding Couple Portraits (Portraits of you in all your finery are a must, even if it's only for 15 minutes don't miss this opportunity! You do need to consider how much time you want to put aside for this and again your WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING DAY TO BE LIKE thoughts will play a big part in this decision)

  • Receiving line (If applicable, on arrival at the venue or prior to the Wedding Breakfast easily 15/20 minutes)

  • Speeches (More and more now these occur before the Wedding Breakfast. If this is the case for you the speeches could eat into photography time as the venue will work to the time food needs to be delivered- typically 30mins).

  • Other requirements e.g. private time, detour drive in the wedding car, ice cream van arrival etc

Suddenly that 1 1/2 - 2 hour window doesn't look so big!!

My advice - as a couple spend 15/20 minutes with your photographer, do spend time with your guests, and then allocate some Group Shot time. But again, you will have to decide what works best for you.

 

HOW LONG DO GROUP SHOTS TAKE, AND HOW MANY SHOULD WE HAVE?

You need to allow 3-5 minutes per group. Straight away you can see that 10 Group Shots will take between 30 and 50 minutes! The exposure only takes a second, but getting people in front of the camera and properly ordered and posed takes the time. The bigger the group, the longer it will take. A group with the elderly, the infirm, and/or children is also likely to take longer.

I know many photographers who like to limit the formal groups to 6! And Hugo Bernard (Royal Wedding Photographer) only ever does 3 (the Bride & Groom, the Bride & Groom plus both immediate families, and everyone)!!! However, I don't think either approach is realistic. Our families and friendships are often complicated networks which deserve individual attention. Think about what you'd want in an album and who would want a print on their mantelpiece. The three areas to concentrate on are: Family (immediate & extended), Wedding Party (Bridesmaids & Groomsmen), and Friends. Try to avoid breaking groups down too much e.g. 1)Bride + Sister, 2) Bride + Brother, when there's nothing wrong with combining the two.

For all of you now begging for a comprehensive list of every conceivable group, I apologise. I am not going to oblige. Such a list simply will not help! There are no rules as to who should be in your Group Shots or how many you should have. It is a personal choice and only you know what and who matters!

Just remember, always have half an eye on WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING DAY TO BE LIKE and HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE. From my experience, it really should be possible to cover all bases in 10 - 15 formal Group Shots. But yet again, you will have to decide what works best for you.

 

HOW WILL IT WORK ON THE DAY?

For this part of the day, more than any other, your photographer has to be organised. The old cliché of "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" is never truer. Expect your photographer to request a list of the Group Shots that you want. Each photographer will have their own system, and I like to know exactly who is involved in each picture. So a sample group on one of my lists looks something like  Bride & Groom + Brides Parents: Katie & Ryan + Jane & Colin. This way there is no confusion and (in a big group) nobody gets left out!

Having one of your Wedding Party rounding up people for each formal group is also crucial. The trick is to have someone who is happy to raise their voice (they don't need to know everyone). They use your list and get the next group together, ready to go. It's also nice to have a member of your Wedding Party involved as they are rightly regarded as one of your trusted assistants on the day. There is something more personal about using one of your friends or family in this way that guests relate to. Being told what to do by a hired hand (photographer) is always less appealing!

 

CONCLUSION

I know all this is somewhat tedious, and dare I say it, difficult and sometimes even controversial (particularly with family). Your best plan of action is to deal with it head on and at least a couple of weeks before the big day. As you've seen the Group Shots aren't just about photography. Your decisions will effect a large part of your wedding day. Don't leave it to chance or expect it to work out. If you don't carefully think about what you want your day to be like, or you don't allocated enough time, you may well regret it. Finally, do liaise with your photographer, they're the experts and will be as keen as you to make sure everything runs smoothly! Good luck with everything, and above all enjoy your day!!!