As a Raleigh wedding photographer, I am being asked more and more often to shoot their rehearsal dinner before their big day. From a photography perspective, there’s a lot to love: from the gathering of close friends and family to the venue and decor you’ve put a lot of thought into. Having photographed a few of these and witnessed them from a different perspective, I’m prepared to give you a couple of tips to make your rehearsal dinner something you’ll want a wedding photographer to cover.
It Helps Establish Your Relationship with your Photographer Even More
Most couples will have already gotten an engagement session completed or had a couple of phone calls or video meetings under their belt, but getting that one last face-to-face experience with your wedding photographer before the big day can be very rewarding for your client-photographer relationship. It also helps establish the fact that your wedding photographer is present, safe and sound in whatever city your wedding will be captured in, and is well prepared and primed to capture the following wedding day. Friends and family will also get to meet your wedding photographer, which will help break the ice for any future shots the following day. They’ll know who to look out for if they want any group photos. They might even learn your wedding photographer’s name or know a fact or two!
Speeches
Typically speeches that occur on the wedding are limited to the best man or maid/matron of honor. Sometimes you might get a parent or two to say something, but really the best time for anybody and everybody to say something is at your rehearsal dinner. From close friends reliving childhood memories to your uncle bringing up a funny memory you didn’t even know about, speeches are the highlight of every rehearsal dinner. The reactions to these fond memories and words are my favorite thing to capture.
Give Your VIP Guests a Gift (Photos!)
Rehearsal dinner guests are some of your closest friends and family. Not everybody on your wedding guest list will be invited to your rehearsal dinner. Since the guest list is smaller, one thing I like to do is try to photograph every single person at the event from candids to group shots where they smile at the camera. Upload your photos to facebook or send out photos to each guest after the fact; they’ll appreciate them!
Rehearsal Dinner Takes Planning, Time, and Expense. Capture It!
One thing everybody wants photos of from their wedding are the details the bride and groom spent so much time planning and thinking about. Just like a wedding, a rehearsal dinner is a culmination of venue, food, and decor. You may go as far as making table centerpieces, welcome signs, florals, and the big one: a groom’s cake. All of that takes time and money to plan, so why not capture it in high quality? You’ll be glad you did! Also you gotta take pictures of that rehearsal dinner dress!!
Bonus Tips for Having a Memorable Rehearsal Dinner
If you’re dead set on hiring a wedding photographer to capture your rehearsal dinner and now want something to make it even more memorable, I have some ideas. If you’re a parent or close friend, putting together a video slideshow of old photographs and videos is a great idea to entertain your dinner guests. Like speeches, they also provide a lot of opportunities for genuine reactions and emotions.
A live band or musician gives your guests something to enjoy while socializing. Even if it’s just some background music to listen to, it elevates the experience. You may even go as far as having a dance floor to warm up those dancing feet!
Make a physical photo montage board. Like the slideshow idea, this is another way to have your guests interacting with something and provides opportunity for genuine reactions.
Have a theme! It doesn’t have to mirror your wedding experience either. This is another opportunity as a bride and groom to show off your personality and identity as a couple.
Ready to Book a Raleigh Rehearsal Photographer?
I offer rehearsal dinner coverage both as an included offering on certain wedding packages or as an add-on at an hourly rate. If you’re interested in booking me to capture your rehearsal dinner, you can reach out to me from my contact form!
