Should You Have Photos Taken at Your Rehearsal Dinner?

By Jada Parrish

Posted: 02/26/14

Category: Rehearsal Dinner Tips

On average, about half of our brides ask us to photograph their rehearsal dinner as well as their wedding. I absolutely love rehearsal dinners. There is so much excitement and anticipation that there is such a great energy in the room. The most heartfelt speeches are given that are filled with both laughter and tears. It is a monumental time for your parents...it's the last night of you being their "little" girl before your dad gives you away. It really is a special time that is worth documenting. If you have a little extra money in your wedding budget, I definitely think rehearsal dinner photography is worth it. Especially if...

 

You Have a Big Family

Of course at your wedding we will get lots of family portraits and photos of guests throughout the entire day, but if you are someone who has a large extended family (like me), I would highly recommend having photos taken at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone in your family is going to want a photo with you, and I mean EVERYONE. If we can get some of those photos of the two of you with all of your aunts and uncles and cousins taken care of during the rehearsal dinner, it is one less thing you have to worry about on your wedding day.

 

His Parents Worked Hard On It

 

Traditionally, the Groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner. It is usually something the Groom's parents are very excited to plan, and a lot of thought goes into it. If they have taken the time to have a custom groom's cake made, choosen a beautiful venue, or made table decorations, all of those things should be beautifully documented. 

 

Memories Matter

I can't say this enough. The fact that you are getting married is a really BIG deal. These are memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life. I want all of our brides to be able to look back at their photos and instantly be reminded of how happy and excited they were. You will never regret the things that you do document, you'll only regret the things that didn't.

 

Common Questions:

Who pays for rehearsal dinner photos?

• We have seen it go both ways. Most of the time the Groom's parents pay for the photos, but in some cases we have seen the Bride's parents pay.

Do your wedding packages include rehearsal dinner photos?

• Yes they do! We offer 4 different wedding packages so that all of our Bride's can choose the package that suits their unique needs best. Our Ultimate Wedding Package includes 3 hours of rehearsal dinner coverage.

How long does it take to get the photos back?

• You can expect to have all of your edited, high resolution rehearsal dinner photos ready in about 2 weeks.

How many photos do you receive?

• Our rehearsal dinner coverage lasts for 3 hours. David focuses on capturing candid photos and detail shots. I focus on taking posed photos of you and your guests. You end up with a really nice mix of photos. All together you can expect to receive about 85-100 photos from your rehearsal dinner.

How can we share the photos with family members?

• We will mail you a DVD of all the rehearsal dinner photos as well as create an online gallery for you and your family. You can share the online gallery link, so that your entire family can see the photos.

Can we have an album made or order prints?

• YES and YES! We can handle all of the printing for you, so you don't have to worry about it.

Do you photograph engagement parties or bridal showers as well?

• YUP! 

 

If you have any other questions about rehearsal dinner photography, feel free to send us an email :) -- info@j-dphoto.com