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Wedding Tips

Snapshot: Cocktail Hour | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Welcome to my journal post series, Snapshot! In each Snapshot post, I’ll break down my hot takes and advice about different aspects of the wedding day, as well as dive into my approach to capturing your memories during each one. From Getting Ready to the Final Exit, Snapshot gives you an insider’s view on how our team makes magic happen to produce the awe-inspiring photos you’ll come to cherish in your final wedding gallery. Keep reading to learn all about how we capture the cocktail hour.


The string quartet is in place, and the bartender is shaking up your signature tonics — welcome to the wedding cocktail hour! Though you’ve been making wedding day memories since early in the morning, your guests only see a small portion of your hard planning unfold. The cocktail hour is just a piece of that experience.

But the expectations couples have around cocktail hour from a timeline and photography perspective can vary. For example, some couples expect to be involved in their entire cocktail hour, while others expect they will miss most if not the entire thing. Wherever you land on that spectrum, we can make your vision possible through careful planning and setting the right expectations.

How to Fit Cocktail Hour Into Your Wedding Day Timeline

If You Want to Attend…

This is possible! If you would value being a part of cocktail hour, we will need to start earlier in the day to fit in as many portraits as we can pre-ceremony. This means you may need to opt for a First Look. Being able to see your spouse-to-be before the ceremony opens a lot of flexibility for knocking out photos and not having to hold you back from attending cocktail hour.

We can tackle your bride and groom portraits, bridal party photos, AND even family formals… all before the ceremony begins. This can save a lot of time and ensure your entire group of loved ones get to immediately go celebrate with you after the ceremony ends.

If you want to attend the entire cocktail hour immediately after your ceremony, a sample pre-ceremony timeline might look like this:

  • Getting Ready – 1.5-2 hours (includes details, bridesmaid robe shot, final touches of hair & makeup, getting in the dress, dad’s first look, bridesmaids’ first look, etc.)
  • Your First Look & Portraits – 30-40 min
  • Bridal Party Photos – 15-20 min
  • Family Formals – 15-20 min (or approx. 2-3 min per grouping)
  • TOTAL PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE NEEDED PRE-CEREMONY = 2.5-3.5 hours

Example: A 5pm ceremony would need a 1:30-2:30pm start time, if travel time from getting ready location to ceremony location is not a factor.

If starting up to 3.5 hours before your ceremony is out of the question, you can still attend most of your cocktail hour by fitting in as many of these photos pre-ceremony as possible. For example, you may not find it feasible to have all of your family arrive early enough for family formals. No stress! We can still get your First Look, Portraits, and Bridal Party photos out of the way, so we ONLY have to tackle family formals after the ceremony. You’d be at your cocktail hour for the latter half of it, no problem. But by seeing the sample timeline above, you can see why a First Look makes all of this so much easier to accomplish.

Need more convincing? Check out this post I wrote a few years back on why a First Look is a huge value add to your overall wedding day experience, rather than a net negative like many believe.

If You Don’t Want to Attend…

Congrats! You’re about to have a much less rushed pre-ceremony timeline. Attending cocktail hour can be a lot of fun, but many couples don’t mind missing it. They’d rather soak up alone time as husband and wife and get stunning portraits in their newlywed glow.

If you’re one of those people, you are joined by about 80% of my couples. Most couples opt for a timeline like this, but the variable is whether they’d still like a First Look or not. First Looks can increase your portrait volume significantly, so if you want TONS of photos of the two of you, don’t skip it!! It’s a great way to shake off nerves with each other before the ceremony, too.

Also, you can decide if you want to do bridal party photos before or after your ceremony. There’s plenty of pros to either decision, so it’s really up to you.

Here’s a sample timeline WITH a First Look, but no attendance of cocktail hour:

  • Getting Ready – 1.5-2 hours (includes details, bridesmaid robe shot, final touches of hair & makeup, getting in the dress, dad’s first look, bridesmaids’ first look, etc.)
  • Your First Look & Portraits – 30-40 min
  • Bridal Party Photos – 15-20 min
  • Ceremony – 30-60 min (depending on type of ceremony)
  • Family Formals – 15-20 min (or approx. 2-3 min per grouping)
  • Just Married Portraits – 40-45 min
  • TOTAL PRE-CEREMONY COVERAGE = 2-3 hours (depending on if you place bridal party photos before or after ceremony)

Keep in mind, both of these timelines are just samples! Be sure to consult with me before your wedding day to talk through specifics about your wedding and what fits best for you.

What You’re Missing At Your Wedding Cocktail Hour

If you’re curious what happens at your cocktail hour, here’s what I typically see. Guests are usually ushered to a separate room or part of your venue from both the ceremony and reception space. They are sometimes greeted with champagne or an open bar. And your DJ, band, or live musicians set the tone with light music.

Guests will often be seen mingling, meeting your family or significant other’s family for the first time. Or you may have many old friends reconnecting for the first time in ages! It can certainly be a sweet time, so I don’t blame any couple for wanting to attend the cocktail hour.

If you are not planning to attend, we will make sure to give you a glimpse through photos. This is why a second shooter post-ceremony is so helpful! They usually attend to grab candid moments, grip-n-grins (my little term for quick, smile-at-the-camera portraits of groups and couples who were found chatting together), and photos of the food and drinks being served.

For planning purposes, you may want to consider a mix of cocktail tables and seated tables. This ensures options for elderly and disabled guests or guests with children. If you’re planning an outdoor cocktail hour, make sure to consider a rain plan with your venue! It is not advised to let your guests enjoy cocktail hour in the same room as your reception. Often, this means they will begin to place personal items at the table before your media team is able to capture the decor and room as “untouched.”

You may also want to be thoughtful about what you serve. Your catering lead can help guide you on the proper amount of hors d’oeuvres and beverages for your guest count.

The ENP Approach to Capturing Cocktail Hour Photos

This is a very optional part of your wedding photography experience. But we’re here to make it work according to your vision! If you’re someone who will miss, but wants to feel like you were there, a second shooter is a must!

Typically my second shooter will go to your cocktail hour while I’m finishing photos with you post-ceremony. I’ll instruct them to capture everything from decor/details, food, drinks, candids, and grip-n-grins. If you’d like a formal photo of each guest, we recommend organizing a “photo booth” line! This adds a fun experience for guests. It also gives you the ability to gift your guests with a professional portrait after the wedding day. Just plan to place signage and a backdrop to instruct guests where to line up. From there, my team will manage grabbing their portraits for you.

We also love honoring the ways your guests show up for you!! This means capturing photos of wedding guest fashion. If you have a crew that went all out, you deserve to commemorate it! Below are a few examples of cocktail hour photos that really paint the picture of a great time had by all.

Did you find this helpful? There’s lots more where that came from! Check out my other journal posts sharing insider tips and tricks for wedding planning.

And if you’re looking to book a wedding photographer for your special day, I would love to be considered! Inquire with me HERE to check on my availability for your date.

featured

Every detail of the Madelyn Tenney Events Spring Design Showcase 2025 was pure magic. As an Atlanta wedding photographer, I had the joy of being invited to capture not only the beautifully curated spaces but also the intimate behind-the-scenes moments that made this spring showcase possible. From lush florals to elegant table settings, the event was a treasure trove of spring wedding inspiration for brides dreaming up their perfect day.

Hosted at Nova Studio in the heart of Atlanta, this carefully crafted experience was designed to set the tone for the upcoming wedding season—and it did not disappoint.

Spring Wedding Inspiration for Modern Southern Brides

The design vision for the showcase–Prima Flora–embraced soft pastels, delicate textures, and fresh seasonal styling. Think romantic blush tones, textured linens, and floral-forward installations. Madelyn and her talented team created a setting that felt simultaneously elevated and welcoming. It was truly a perfect exhibition of what sophisticated spring weddings can be in Georgia.

As I arrived early to document the event setup, I was able to photograph the team in their element: adjusting linens, styling stationery, and rehearsing the layout one last time. These behind-the-scenes moments revealed just how much heart went into this event. It’s easy to see why so many brides trust Madelyn Tenney Events to bring their dream weddings to life.

Behind the Scenes with Madelyn Tenney Events

Before the doors opened, I had the privilege of capturing team headshots for the women behind Madelyn Tenney Events. Their energy, collaboration, and vision made it clear this wasn’t just a design showcase—it was a heartfelt celebration of creativity and community.

The environment was buzzing with excitement as florists arranged final stems and vendors fluffed the final cushions. The team’s chemistry was undeniable, and it translated directly into the seamless flow of the event itself.

The Madelyn Tenney Events Spring Design Showcase

At the heart of the showcase were the intentional design vignettes. Each space told a story, offering spring wedding inspiration tailored for modern Southern brides. One standout element was a centerpiece floral installation by Marigo Flowers, assisted by Pollen Floral Company. It floated above a table layered with blush-toned linens from BBJ La Tavola, catching the light beautifully throughout the afternoon.

An eye-catching ice sculpture by Ice Sculpture Inc. ATL added a playful, elevated touch to the scene, while live entertainment from Jewel the Ballerina captivated attendees with ethereal movement, bringing life to the experience. Glasswing Rentals curated tableware that sparkled under the natural light of Nova Studio, and JC Rental Collective and Party Bound contributed pieces that gave each setup personality and polish.

Why This Event Matters for Atlanta Brides

If you’re a bride planning a wedding in Atlanta, Savannah, or North Georgia looking for fresh spring wedding inspiration, events like this one are invaluable. They don’t just showcase trends—they display the talent of local, trustworthy vendors who are passionate about what they do.

Every vendor at this showcase brought their A-game. Seeing each one’s work in person—and getting to document it as a film-inspired wedding photographer—was such an honor.

What I Loved Most as an Atlanta Wedding Photographer

Photographing this spring wedding inspiration at Nova Studio was a dream. The soft filtered light made the colors pop in a way that felt timeless and true-to-color. My goal is always to deliver film-inspired wedding photos that feel both editorial and authentic. The setting created by Madelyn Tenney Events was ideal for that.

Being trusted to document the designs and the passion behind them—team portraits, set-up, genuine laughter—reminds me why I love this work. These are the moments that couples don’t always see. These are the images that reveal the effort, energy, and heart poured into a couple’s day long before they say I do.

Want more from this amazing showcase? The full gallery is available for your viewing and inspiration!

If you’re planning a spring wedding in Georgia, take this as your sign: romantic color palettes, thoughtful texture layering, intentional florals, and a dream team of vendors are always a winning combination. And if you’re looking for a light and airy wedding photographer, I’d be honored to capture it all.

Let’s create something beautiful together. Contact me to inquire for more information about pricing and packages!

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