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Elopement & Destination Work

Travel logistics, time-zone handoffs, destination pricing, intimate-ceremony coverage, and how to scale beyond your home market.

Community threads (12)

When should our photographer arrive on the wedding day?

Our ceremony is at 4pm and we have no idea when to ask the photographer to start. Hair and makeup begins around 10am. Bride is getting ready at the venue, groom at a hotel 15 minutes away. We're booki

Maya · forum · 21d ago · 2 replies · 0 reactions

Highlight reel vs full ceremony video — do we need both?

Our videographer offers a 5-min highlight, a 20-min "feature film," and a full unedited ceremony cut. We can pick two for the same price. Which two would you actually watch?

Maya · forum · 15d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

One DJ for ceremony AND reception, or separate?

Our DJ said he can do ceremony music too for $400 extra. Or we could do a string trio for ceremony at $800. Trying to figure out where the value is.

Maya · forum · 17d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

How long should we plan for couple's portraits?

We're doing a first look so we have time before the ceremony. How much time do photographers actually need? I've seen blogs say 15 minutes and others say 90. We have a wedding party of 14 and want fam

Maya · forum · 20d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

How early should hair and makeup start?

Bride + 6 bridesmaids + mom and MIL. Ceremony at 3pm. Our HMUA wants to know what time to arrive. Don't want to be rushed but also don't want everyone sitting around for 4 hours.

Maya · forum · 18d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

Do we need a second shooter for 100 guests?

Photographers keep upselling us a second shooter. Our wedding is 100 guests, single venue, no transit between ceremony and reception. Is the extra $800 worth it for our size?

Maya · forum · 23d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

Long train + rainy forecast — what do brides actually do?

Cathedral train, outdoor garden ceremony, 40% rain forecast. The dress is dragging in wet grass either way. What did you do?

Maya · forum · 13d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

What flowers actually survive a summer outdoor wedding?

August in Texas. Outdoor ceremony. Florist is suggesting hydrangeas because that's what we showed her on Pinterest, but I've heard they wilt fast in heat. What's actually durable?

Maya · forum · 19d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

Do we really need to do a first look?

My fiancé wants to wait until the aisle. My mom and the photographer both think we should do a first look. We're going back and forth. What's the actual case for and against?

Maya · forum · 24d ago · 2 replies · 0 reactions

Is a "getaway car" / sparkler exit worth the effort?

Photographer keeps mentioning a "grand exit" with sparklers and a getaway car. We're not really car people. Is this a thing we're supposed to do or is it just for the photo?

Maya · forum · 13d ago · 1 reply · 1 reaction

The 8-second reel format getting weddings booked on Instagram

The format: cold open on the first kiss, jump cut to a single still frame held for 2 seconds, hard cut to 4-second highlight montage, end on the venue exterior with a name card overlay. No voiceover.

Riley · forum · 17d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions

Do we really need a videographer if we have a photographer?

We're 80% sure we want a videographer but the price ($3,500) makes us wonder if photos are enough. We've seen mixed advice — some couples regret skipping it, some say they never watch their wedding vi

Maya · forum · 25d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions

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