Photographing the bride and groom getting ready in different places

How one photographer covers two getting-ready locations

It is very common for the bride and groom to get ready in two different places, a hotel and a family home. It is something we discuss with each couple beforehand to see what options they want. Some weddings are smaller or more intimate and have only one photographer, which is the case the video addresses.

How we typically arrange it is to start with the groom's side. Grooms are able to put on their jackets and shoes much faster, and they can do it at any time they feel ready, so they finish quickly, get dressed and then relax. We spend about 10 to 20 minutes on the groom's side.

Then we head straight to the bride's side for the additional photos of all the getting ready: details, final touches, the dress and bridesmaids. For this type of situation we do recommend two photographers, so team one is shooting the bride and team two is shooting the groom, which allows more comprehensive coverage on both sides.

Why the groom goes first

The order is about timing, not priority. A groom's getting ready is a short set of steps that can happen in any order, whenever he chooses. A bride's getting ready has a fixed sequence, hair and makeup, then the dress, then the veil, and none of it can be started early.

So the photographer goes where the timing is flexible first, asks the groom to do his jacket, shoes and cufflinks while the camera is there, then leaves him to relax. By the time we reach the bride, makeup is finishing and the unrepeatable part of the morning is about to begin.

Planning the distance between the two locations

With one photographer the travel time between locations comes straight out of your coverage, so it helps to keep the two places close, ideally in the same hotel. If they are far apart, tell us early so we can plan the start time around Los Angeles traffic.

When the distance is large or the wedding party is big, a second photographer removes the problem entirely: each team stays put and the two sides are photographed at the same time. It is what we recommend for two locations whenever your collection allows for it.

• Tell us both addresses and the drive time between them.
• Have the groom's jacket, shoes and details ready when we arrive.
• Ask about a second photographer if the locations are far apart.