When do you call it a day and leave?

[ToddziLLa]

I did a search for this and came up with nothing, so I apologize if this has been covered already.

My question: when do you feel comfortable enough to pack up your gear and leave the reception?

On one hand, at the very end of the reception where it is usually just the party and a few family members anyway, there is not much more to capture. On the other hand, should the photographer be there until the very end in case something happens so they can capture it? Once the garter/bouquet throw and all the important dances are done, how much longer do you stay?

[cosworth]

I prefer to leve after the first dance (assuming the bouquet and garter have been dealt with). After that everyone is quite sauced and the point and shoots come out.

[Toogy]

When my watch tells me too! I have time limits on my services

[picturecrazy]

I usually leave between 11 and midnight.

[GertS]

As I don't shoot many weddings and they are on Saturdays, I stay till end. There are always some really great shots possible.

Attached an image, I would call it the last dance, was 2:30 am, they had switched lights of and all light was from candles the guests held for the couple. Was quite dark. 5D, 50 / 1.4 , f1.8, 1/30 sec handheld

[Gujustud]

Most of the weddings I've done thus far, I've know the B&G or someone at the wedding, so I've usually stayed right till the end. Only one wedding where I assisted a friend did I leave once the reception started as it was extremely small, and he stayed for the cake cutting/first dance.

[danpass]

When the Bride and Groom leave.


.

[LeesaB]

We used to stay till the B&G leave, but by them, most are so drunk they can't even walk right, and to get the leaving shot, is almost silly.

now we tell them up front, we stay for a while, get dancing shots, all the important things, and we fake a leaving...for the safety of the Bride and groom we tell them...and most are very happy with that...

So, we leave around 9 or 10.

[Jon Rouston]

My packages are done by the hour e.g. 4 hours photography, 8 hours, 12 hours.

B&G decide when they want me to arrive and leave. I'd make it clear in your meeting beforehand when you are going to arrive and leave, otherwise you could be in for tricky client relationships

[Atl-Fotos]

Generally when the B&G leave....

[italianfemmy]

My packages are done by the hour e.g. 4 hours photography, 8 hours, 12 hours.

B&G decide when they want me to arrive and leave. I'd make it clear in your meeting beforehand when you are going to arrive and leave, otherwise you could be in for tricky client relationships


And as long as you do this with time limits which is the way I think I want to go - then the bride knows she needs to get the important things scheduled in by a specific time.

The last wedding I attended.. they didn't toss the garter or boquet until 5 hours into the reception! Oy! But, the photographer was there until the end. I'd make it a point to let them know if they purchased say a 4 hour package that they should set those important events up early into the reception.

[Kathy H]

I have time limits too, usually 5 hours. My clients know this when they book me, so no missing anything they want. Usually once the B&G make their entrance to the reception they do their special dances, then cake cutting, then bouquet & garter toss after that, I'm outta there!:)

Kathy

[Kathy H]

And as long as you do this with time limits which is the way I think I want to go - then the bride knows she needs to get the important things scheduled in by a specific time.

The last wedding I attended.. they didn't toss the garter or boquet until 5 hours into the reception! Oy! But, the photographer was there until the end. I'd make it a point to let them know if they purchased say a 4 hour package that they should set those important events up early into the reception.

This is exactly why mine are set hours. In the past, I've been stuck there for needless hours waiting for the toss.

I always make sure that the DJ is on the same schedule as far as times that key features are to take place because they can be a big help in keeping things moving. They can also drag things on to suit them if you don't communicate with them.

Kathy

[Holdyn wolf]

I don't set a time limit on my all day packages but I usually explain to the bride and groom that I leave about 30-45 minutes after bouqet and garter (given these are the last things that you really need photos of) I check in with them before leaving to make sure I haven't missed anything.

I always find both bride and groom, congratulate them, give hugs and handshakes and remind them that the proofs will be online in about 2 weeks.

So far no one has had issues with this.

[Rick Rosen]

My service includes unlimited coverage so I leave when the couple leaves or if that is earlier I'll stay a bit longer then leave. Always graciously say "goodnight" to the parents after asking them if they want me to stick around longer.

Rick

[jessiper]

When my watch tells me too! I have time limits on my services

Ditto! It's hopefully after the toasts/cake/1st dances, but not always.

[cwphoto]

My service includes unlimited coverage so I leave when the couple leaves or if that is earlier I'll stay a bit longer then leave. Always graciously say "goodnight" to the parents after asking them if they want me to stick around longer.

Rick

We all did that once upon a time. I'll bet you that if you're still doing this in significant numbers in a year, you will be packaging by the hour in some form - it's inevitable.

[mckc]

I just feel it out...When all the "important" stuff is done I get some fun shots and than make like a chip and dip.

[Scott_Quier]

I do it two ways, either by the hour or all day. If all day, I stay until the B&G leave. If by the hour, I coordinate with the DJ to make sure that all the "important" stuff gets done before the end of my contract. If that's not possible, I talk with the client (last time it was the FOB) and let them know that I will be leaving before the end of the event, giving them the option of tacking on an additional hour or two to get the coverage required to get it all done, payment to be received before the photos are released. The last event, the FOB said "Yes, please stay for an additional hour." This made for a happy client 'cause it was all covered and a happy photographer 'cause it was all covered.

[song4themoon]

I leave when the time that the couple booked me for is up. If that is before the last dance then I ask the couple if they wanted me around longer (they can buy extra hours) or if they are ready for me to leave.

Most of the time I end up packing up after the last dance

[photosbyjuan]

well definitely like someone previously mentioned... set your rules so your clients see you mean business. Just this past weekend I had a wedding and they booked me for 4 hour event coverage I usually arrive 1 hour earlier so it's about 5 hours of work. It was 5 mins over my scheduled time and I emphasized my time was already up they still had not cut the cake. Very politely I let them know that we needed the cake shots, they listened.

[spphoto]

Most of the weddings I've shot have been afternoon receptions that end 3-4 pm, so I stick it out until then usually. With evening receptions (especially if it's been a long day) I'll ask whoever signed the contract if there's anything else they would like me to shoot, usually they say "oh this and this will be happening and then you can leave" or simply "no it's ok you can leave".