how do i get everyone to line up so we can do the 'leaving reception' photo?
im stressing about the little things haha
Question Asked: 29/06/2017
Wedding Date: 9/08/2018
Most Helpful Response
(13) · Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, servicing all of South East Queensland.
Posted: 26/06/2026
Answered by: 7 Experts
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A great photographer should have already discussed this with you, well prior to your wedding day. Generally an MC would direct guests to whatever has been planned with you beforehand, but if they can't (or don't), the photographer could possibly step in to assist.
Often the lighting can be less at this time, people can be walking around everywhere and therefore significant planning/creativity is involved to capture the best photographs at this moment of the evening. A great photographer should be very aware of the lighting at every point along your journey to say goodbye and then walk out of the reception venue. It will affect the lenses and the artificial light that they (should) have prepared to introduce into the shots they take.
All the best for your wedding!
Luke
www.thelightindustry.com
0402746041
The MC should do this for you then the Photographer does the Shoot.
(17) · Brisbane | Ipswich | Springfield Lakes | Gold Coast | Sunshine Coast | Toowoomba
Posted: 5/10/2017
Hi! Grab someone who knows most the guests and is not too shy. This could be a sister, a cousin or a good friend. Get them to organise the crowd and your MC to announce it. Just make sure your photographer knows what is happening. Especially where and when. By the end of the night everyone will be in a great mood and are looking forward to participate. All the best on your lovely day!
Hi there,
This is something that can be announced over the PA by your MC and the photography team can also assist in positioning everyone for that moment.
Let me know if you have any further questions or would like to see any of my packages.
Thanks
Suzie
List on the invite or get your MC to organise.
Cheers Colin
Hello! What I recommend is that you ask two members of your bridal party to be responsible for this. Ask them to talk to your photographer first and ask where the best spot might be for them to arrange it. Then leave it in their capable hands. The day should be for you to enjoy rather to spend it organising people! That's why you have your close friends and family to help ;) The DJ can make an announcement and then your friends can place people. I wouldn't leave this to your photographer to do as I am sure that you would prefer that your photographer remains capturing moments and getting into position rather than grouping people together! Hope that helps!
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Honestly, the easiest way is to not line everyone up at all. The classic sparkler send off or tunnel works best when your MC makes one clear announcement, then your guests naturally form two loose rows facing each other and you two walk down the middle. People shuffle into place far quicker when they know exactly what to do, so the announcement is the bit that matters, not herding everyone individually.
Pick one outgoing friend or sibling to be the gentle ringleader, hand them the sparklers or confetti to dish out, and ask them to have a quick word with us beforehand so we can show them the best spot. We'll already have the position and lighting sorted by then, because a send off usually happens after dark and we light it ourselves, so we just need bodies in roughly the right place and we do the rest. Truly, please don't add it to your own to do list on the day.
One practical tip from doing a lot of these: keep it early-ish rather than waiting until the very last guest is ready to leave, otherwise you lose half the crowd to taxis and tired kids. A "fake" send off around the time the dance floor's pumping gives you a full, happy group and the best energy. And genuinely, the little things sort themselves out on the day. The bit you'll remember is laughing your way down that line, not whether everyone stood in a perfect row.