Bill Weaver Photographers

Family group photos are always expected but rarely used, however, they are very important to both families. We discovered when one of our clients had a sudden death in the family and the photographs of that person during our client’s wedding helped the family get through a very difficult time.

The problem is that after the ceremony everyone wants to get on to the party and it becomes a real challenge to coral all the right people. If  family and group photos happen prior to the ceremony it is less likely that family and friends will drift away. All this aside, we work to make the photos go fast and most importantly be fun for all concerned.

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More often than not the guys are most fun to shoot because they tend to be more relaxed, less concerned about doing strange things. That is not to say that the ladies are not fun…just that the guys are more willing to go along with our crazy ideas! They are also less likely to feel the need to be formal which in turns creates a greater opportunity for their true nature to show through. It is also fun to have a little guy in the group because he usually wants to be like the big guys which always lends itself to great shots.

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Regardless of when the bride and groom see each other we always photograph the girls and the boys before the ceremony. If the couple are not seeing each until the ceremony, our time with the wedding party is usually when we encourage each group to relax and have fun. The more we can accomplish that the more relaxed everyone is during the ceremony.

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We don’t normally do bridal portraits most of today’s brides just are not interested in them. However, over the last couple of years we have had some who requested them. Most of the time we shoot them in out own english garden and maybe an additional location. Some we shoot strictly on locations chosen by the bride.

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As I have mentioned earlier we like to get some time with just the bride and groom whether it’s before or after the ceremony. This time is very tender and intimate and really gives a chance to capture the real energy between the couple. These are the images that will help them remember their love in tough times and take them back to joy they felt on their wedding day.

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This is the time the fun begins both for our couples and ourselves. The wedding party starts to move into Partay Mode and we get to be creative. When there is time between the ceremony and the reception we often have our couples come up with a spot they would like go to and have some fun. Once the reception begins and the dance is underway we use strategically placed off camera flashes to help bring an additional creative touch to our images. While dance photos often get old after a few snaps we try to liven them up by adding zoom effects to enhance the movement and excitement and occasionally we will use color gels on our flashes to add contrasting color especially where there is only room lights.

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While the ceremony is the whole point of a wedding assuring our clients of  our best photos is often dependent on church policies. Depending on the strictness of said policies we often will position extra cameras in unobtrusive locations to capture the ceremony from other angles. Cameras are set up to remotely trigger from my cameras, in much the same way I cover a sports event. All of that aside some of the best shots are of the kids who are in the wedding party. .. somehow they just think the whole thing thing is about them!

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For couples who choose to see each other before the ceremony, this part of there day can be a time for grounding. Many of our clients express how important it was for them to see each at this time…the tender intimacy helped to ground them and eliminate any anxiety related to the remainder of the day.

Choosing to see each other before the ceremony also gave them the chance to bring in the support of their wedding party and combined families.We don’t advocate for either choice since ultimately it is up to the couple.

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This part of a wedding is where the excitement and anticipation starts to peak. The bride and her attendants gather usually in a special room within the church or if not in a church somewhere separate from the groom and his gang. For the bride this is the time for her assistants to take over…making sure everything is in place before they hoist her dress and she makes the classic bridal dive into her wedding dress.

The guys are a little non-plussed by the whole thing and most would rather rather not be photographed…however there are a few lucky times especially with the father pr brother of the groom.

Dresses are particularly nice to photograph…especially if the light is right.

Often Marsha will go to the salon with the bride to catch a few make-up and hair shots and if we are lucky some fun!

No the babe wasn’t hers she belonged to her sister….

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We like to see weddings as if they were plays that unfold in a sequence of Acts beginning with Preparations, moving to the Ceremony and finishing with the Party. Tucked into each of these acts are smaller scenes

Act 1: Preparations

• Scene 1: Bride and bridal party getting dressed
• Scene 2: Groom and his party getting dressed
• Scene 3: Couple alone if they choose to see each other before the ceremony,
• Scene 4: The wedding party either separately if bride & groom choose not to see each other or together if they do chose to see each other.

Act 2: The Ceremony

• Scene 1: Gathering
• Scene 2: The Entrance
• Scene 3: Blessings and Vows
• Scene 4: The Exit

Act 3: The Celebration

• Scene 1: In between time…greeting family and friends,
• Scene 2: Private time with the Bride and Broom
• Scene 3: Fun with the wedding party
• Scene 4: Arrival and entrance to reception
• Scene 5: Toasts, cake etc.
• Scene 6: The dance

The Cast consists of the key players of the drama from the couple themselves, to friends, family and pets.

In some cases there will be a prelude that includes one or more engagement sessions photographed at a variety of locations. We generally use the photographs to make up a guest book designed to allow those attending the wedding to share in the excitement.

What follows within this category are a series of highlights representing the three acts described above.

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