how close should my wedding photos location be to my ceremony and reception?
like is it too much to ask for photos to be somewhere half an hour drive away??
Question Asked: 19/10/2017
Wedding Date: 9/08/2018
Most Helpful Response
(12) · Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, servicing all of South East Queensland.
Posted: 26/06/2026
Answered by: 9 Experts
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If you've factored in enough time between leaving the church and the walk in at reception then thats fine. In winter you need to be particularly conscious of what time the sunset is. You dont want to be driving for half an hour as the sun is setting then arriving in the dark when you get to your location.
If this is what matters most, I think go for it! Obviously being realistic about planning your day's schedule is important. However a great photographer should always be planning to make things as time efficient as possible. A few things to think about in preperation for this would be:
- Making sure there's plenty of snacks/entertainment for the bridal party along the way
- Confirming with the driver/s about the safest & fastest routes to ceremony-photoshoot-reception
- Making sure the photographer is very aware of the locations, to minimise the preperation/packup time at your ceremony-photoshoot-reception
- You may also consider having the photographer travel in the bridal car. That way you could get some shots along the way. Or if any of the schedule changes on the day, at least you're all then together and can maximise photo time.
All the best for your big day!
Luke
www.thelightindustry.com
0402746041
There are number of factors to be included here. Firstly, how long do you want to be away from your guests?
Secondly, is there a location of special significance that you want included.
I always recommend keeping the travel to minimum. No one really wants to be waiting an hour and a half for you to return.
(11) · Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley / Dandenong Ranges
Posted: 4/12/2017
Great question
My one tip here would be discuss this with your wedding photographer.
Half an hour doesnt seem too far- its just something you have to think about in terms of 30mins to location and 30 mins back. plus then obvs the photo time.
Where are you having your wedding?
There might be something a little closer that might be similar.
You need to think about the lighting too- as photographers you need to be sure the lighting is suited to the location- so think aout the times of which you are holding your portrait sessions too.
That romantic glow of a sunset is a photographers dream- so need to take this into account too- if it means this could be missed within the travel times I would consider a closer location
Happy to answer any further questions
Good luck with it all
Madeleine
As long as you allocate the appropriate time for photos and factor in travel time both there and back, a 30 minute drive for a location you prefer is completely reasonable! Any photographer would be happy to drive a little further to get the best possible photos on the day.
(1) · Sydney & Surroundings, Northern Beaches, Lower North Shore
Posted: 23/11/2017
Great question! Definitely keep the two a close together as possible (5 mins drive or so - ideally walking distane).
Every minute on your wedding day really counts so you don't want to waste valuable time sitting in a car. Also, imagine if there's a traffic jam and you have all of yoiur guests waitng for you.. what then?
Summary - keep them v close to each other - ideally walking distance!
Most of time, our client prefer to keep them about half an hour away.
(9) · Gold Coast and Brisbane and surrounds | Ipswich and surrounds
Posted: 23/11/2017
- It all depends how much time you have allocated for photos. If you have the time and it’s somewhere you really want photos done then go for it. If you have time restrictions from when the ceremony and family shots are finalised and your entry into the reception you may be better served by finding somewhere closer and getting some awesome photos taken. However as I tell all my brides, it’s your wedding so do it the way you want. Best of luck!
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A half hour drive is absolutely fine, and we do it often. The thing to remember is that it isn't just thirty minutes, it's thirty there and thirty back, plus loading and unloading the cars, so you want to build in closer to ninety minutes total before you've even taken a frame. As long as that's accounted for in the run sheet, a location you genuinely love is well worth the drive.
The trap couples fall into is squeezing a far away spot into a tight gap and then feeling rushed at the one part of the day that's just the two of you. If your ceremony and reception are close together, a drive out for portraits works beautifully. If they're already far apart, sometimes the smarter move is to find a spot roughly on the route between the two so the travel does double duty rather than adding a third leg.
The bigger thing we'd flag is light. In South East Queensland, summer sunsets sit around 6.30 to nearly 7pm, but in the depths of winter the good golden light is gone by about 5. We plan the portrait window around when the light is loveliest at your chosen spot, then work the travel backwards from there. Tell your photographer the location early so we can scout it, check what time the sun does its thing, and make sure that drive lands you there at exactly the right moment rather than after the glow has gone.
Last little tip from experience: leave your guests with a drink, some canapés and a bit of music while you're away, and they'll barely notice you've gone. Send us your venues and the place you've got your eye on and we'll happily tell you whether the timing stacks up.