So how does a savvy wedding photographer proceed?

You've signed a contract,  the date is set, so how does a savvy wedding photographer proceed? Photographing a wedding involves more than simply showing up on the big day with a camera, lens, flash and a set of charged batteries. Ask any seasoned pro and they’ll tell you the job starts well before the date on the contract. While cameras and gear are important details, the consummate wedding photographer makes a point of visiting the chapel, wedding hall or catering hall to become familiar with all the locations.

If you will be photographing at more than one location, allow time for setting up and breaking down before and after you shoot at each location, making sure you will have enough back-up manpower to get from one location to the next with ample time to repeat the set-up and breakdown process. If time is short, build the cost of a second crew or additional lighting and camera gear into your invoice and by all means, inform your client about these costs if you’ve already discussed a set fee. 

Wedding facilities come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re lucky, the hall where you’ll be working will feature decor that’s aesthetically pleasing and conducive to capturing the day's events. By taking the time to scope out unfamiliar turf, you can anticipate potential problems and create a game plan that addresses potential bumps in the road. If the wedding is taking place at a modern catering hall, chances are the layout is photographer friendly, meaning there are open spaces with visually pleasing surroundings. Many catering facilities also feature balconies or stairways that enable dramatic bird’s-eye views of the event. These bird’s-eye roosts are also good places to set up slaved, remotely triggered overhead fill flash. Remember that, for most of the day, you'll undoubtedly be working surrounded by commotion. Plan accordingly.

When planning your day, keep in mind that there may or may not be restrictions on using flash in the chapel during the wedding ceremony. If this is the case you should plan on using fast prime lenses and higher ISO ratings during the ceremony. To pump up the ambient light levels you can also line the perimeters of the chapel with tungsten lamps such as Lowel Tota-Lights. In any case, check with whoever is in charge of the facilities before spinning your wheels for naught. Always check with the director of the facilities regarding what the electrical system can handle. In most cases you’ll get a green light, but more importantly, whoever is in charge will respect the fact that you asked first, which can pave the way when you need to ask for weightier favors later.

Aside from aesthetically challenged backgrounds, one should also check out the ease of access to AC outlets, if they will be necessary. Are they readily accessible in areas in which you plan on shooting? Are there enough of them? If not, how much extension cord will you need to power your gear? And if AC power isn’t an option, how are you fixed for a battery-powered  lighting system beefy enough to light the entire wedding party and the bride's and groom’s families? Lastly, if the wedding is taking place in an older landmark facility, can the building’s electrical system handle the demands of multiple power packs firing simultaneously over the course of several hours?

If you do find yourself shooting in an older or historic facility, inquire about the condition of the electrical system, as many historic buildings contain equally historic electrical systems. If the facility in question is used regularly for weddings and similar gatherings, he electrical system is most likely up to par and you’re good to go. If however, the facility in question is not subjected regularly to the power loads needed to fire multiple power packs simultaneously, ask before you risk blowing any fuses.

With that in mind, do you have insurance? Many catering facilities require you to have a policy that covers any number of instances of damage and liability, that without proper coverage, could be potentially devastating to you—financially and otherwise.

If you plan on shooting in a park, do you need permits? What about power? Are there AC outlets within a reasonable distance to where you plan on taking pictures or will you need battery-powered lights? Bring long, heavy-duty extension cords and multiple-outlet gang boxes into which you can plug your power packs. When checking out locations, try to make a point of walking the site at the same time of day you plan on shooting, in order to see what the sun will be lighting up as well as where shadows fall. Don't forget to note where the sun will be setting if the wedding reception is scheduled to take place at that time of day. The warm tones of the sunset make dramatic wedding-portrait lighting.

Note: Many city, state, and federal parks define a "professional photographer" as somebody who uses a tripod when taking pictures. Don’t use a tripod and you are most likely good to go, but by all means make a call or two to clarify the rules pertaining to permits. Generally, if you show up in a park with a wedding party and pro photo equipment, you will be considered a professional. Make sure you have the permit if your local park laws require one.

One last detail to consider at this point has to do with manpower, i.e. how many assistants and second or third shooters will you need to capture the events of the day, all of which depend on how many locations are involved, the number of concurrent events that have to be captured, as well as the number of guests attending. If the entire event, which includes the pre-ceremony prepping such as hair, makeup, final gown fitting, and any rehearsals is taking place at a single location, you’ll still need to plan your day as meticulously as you would for a wedding occurring simultaneously at different locales, because there will be just as much going on. So, think the logistics through and plan accordingly. This way, you will show up on the day of the wedding with the right gear and totally prepared for making sure the bride's day goes along smoothly, as planned, ensuring a happy event.

What sorts of experiences have you had preparing for and photographing weddings? What methods do you employ for making sure that you've got everything covered for the days' events? We'd be happy to read about some of your ideas and respond to your inquiries in the Comments section below.