How do wedding photographers 'work'? What can I ask for?

[cookiesme]

I am clueless. Most people seem to have the photographer in their house the morning of, which I don't really want.

Do you arrange all this with them? Or is it all very pre-arranged?

It's such a stupid question that I can't ask it out loud.

You’re paying them so they should do what you want / feel comfortable with. You would usually give a list of photos you want (people / family combos) and their job is to ensure they get these and any other requests you have. You would just tell them you dont want the getting ready photos but do you want them outside house to get you leaving etc ? Think it all out, write it down and tell them your expectations

Your choice, they can do home, wedding, reception or just one of them, obviously the cost will vary.

Be certain though that you don't want them at your house before you tell them, there will be a lot of lovely moments that can be captured that you will really appreciate looking back on.

I didn't have a photographer at home but did have the videographer there and that's the bit I love the most, seeing me and my bridesmaids in fits of laughter getting ready and my lovely Dad, who has since died, walking in the room and seeing me in my dress.
Dh didn't want anyone with him when he was getting ready at his friend's house in and really regrets it now.

Have a look at portfolios and decide which of those types of shot you would like. Think about what formal shots you want (we had a very short list of formal shots because we didn't want to have everyone standing around for ages). We just booked the photographer for the ceremony and a few hours after (I think 4 in total) to reduce costs, though he turned up early and did some room shots and us getting ready too which was a bonus. We had some couple shots but mostly what we wanted was candid shots of friends and family having fun. Choose your photographer carefully - not just whether the portfolio is the sort of thing you want but also whether they are someone you feel comfortable with.

Yeah, figure out what you want and make a bullet pointed list:

• the veil hanging up
• close up of the rings
• bride in the car
• all the bridesmaids artfully posed by a chair
• groom & his mother
• children covered in chocolate from dessert
• first dance

etc. the choice is yours!

Ah right! Ok! This is so helpful.

I'm fairly set that I don't want them in the house. I'd like it just to ourselves. So I could ask for them to be at the church taking photos of people as they arrive?