For those who are taking (or took) pictures before ceremony:

What kind of time do I need?? My ceremony is 11:30. I'd like to have all the pictures done by 11:00 so we can freshen up and have a 5 minute *rehearsal* with our Priest and Rabbi... Anyway, here's what I'm thinking: 5:30 am - Rise 'n Shine :) 7:00 am - appointment for hair/makeup (at salon) 9:15 am - arrive at Coral House and put on gown 9:30 am - 10:00 am Bride and Groom pictures 10:00 am - 11:00 am Family (big family)pictures Is this realistic? I'm asking our families to get to the Coral House between 9:30 and 10:00 and my older brother will be in charge of "rounding up the troops" for pics as well as checking off the ones that we *must* have since I know I'll be a wreck!! Thanks all!!

For those who are taking (or took) pictures before ceremony:

my ceremony will be at 12:30 and the photographer said he would be there at 10:30 and that it would be plenty of time...then the first 20 min of cocktail would be extended family. (aunts, uncles, grandpa - if they can't get there before)

For those who are taking (or took) pictures before ceremony:

We did that (BEST thing we did, by the way) & our ceremony started the same exact time as yours. Our photographer did all the posed shots between 10 - 11, no problem. Then again, we didn't want a lot of the "posed" ones, so an hour was enough. If you prefer this style, then I think you are right to allocate 1 1/2 hours. Good luck!

What we are doing

The limo will pick us up at 8:00 to take picture at Queens Botanical Gardens at 9:00 to 10:30 then to our hall for family pics at 11:00 to 12:00 then a short rehearsal and the ceremony is at 12:30.

For those who are taking (or took) pictures before ceremony:

Our photographer arrived at the hotel at 9:30 and we were scheduled to leave for the church at 10:30. I felt rushed and all we took were pictures of me with my bridesmaids, some shots of me alone and with my parents, putting on the veil, and walking out to the limo. I wish there had been some more of me with my Mom, and with both Mom and Dad, and more of my MOH helping with my veil, etc. If you have the option to leave an extra half hour, I'd do so - better to have the time to be relaxed rather than feel rushed.

For those who are taking (or took) pictures before ceremony:

Just make sure you have enough time for the hair and makeup. I had a similar schedule with the ceremony at 11:30. I was at the hairdressers at 6:30AM and was supposed to be back at the Harrison House for makeup at 8AM, but it took longer to do my hair than planned. You may also need more than 15 minutes to put on your gown if it has a lot of buttons. And (you can learn from my experience), don`t forget to go to the bathroom before you put on the gown! Taking pictures before hand was a great decision for us. With the ceremony and reception all at one place, there would never have been time to squeeze them all into the cocktail hour. Plus, the two minutes where my husband and I were together when we saw each other for the first time that day were about the only ones we had alone until after the reception.