Trying to improve efficiency/Process flow

One of the areas in my photography that definitely needs improving is my efficiency in doing formals.

I'm looking for any recommendations or best practices or shortcuts to help. Recently, I ran in to a situation where I definitely wish I could improve things:

We were doing formals immediately after the ceremony at an offsite location.. in the dark (not my choice)..

Bridal party gets in limo, and wants me to get pictures of them pulling away. Done. Run to my car which was about 200 yards away. Throw things in, and drive like a bat out of hell to the location. Of course limo drops them off at the location, but I have to park.. Again, 1/4 mile away. Carry all of my gear and get to the site. Bridal party has already been there for 5-10 minutes.

I proceed to set up my setup.. Which consists of two speedlights, each on a lightstand, with FlexTT5, and AC7 bracket, with a shoot through umbrella.. Between inconsistencies with pocketwizards and speedlights, test shots and everything.... it takes me about 10 minutes to get that set up..

And, of course, similar situation occurs when the limo pulls right up to get them. And I have to breakdown gear, run back to car with gear...

Anyone have any tips and techniques to get the gear set up faster or is it just easier to pay the limo drivers a couple bucks to take the long way?

This doesn't solve your limo race problem, but it's a good thread if you haven't read it.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=839875

An assistant would be a good idea. Either drop them off and have them set up/test shots so you can just do small tweaks, or have them drop you off and park, then get your car and pick you up when you are packing up.

Snake - Yes, it's great advice by Bobby, and I've followed it. I can nail out the formals once I start. It's more of the setting up / breakdown and avoiding cops between point A and B.

Bryan - That's a really good idea.

Probably my biggest area of improvement is to better set the expectations of the couple. It's going to take xx minutes at a minimum for formals because of set up, and that doesn't include travel time.

yeah, it does help to talk to the limo driver to get him to drive slow! but its only worked a couple times for me, because they always can get better parking, etc..
BUT, i've never understood getting pictures of the limo driving away. everyone says they want it, but its always a crappy picture (at least mine are)
i'd rather leave while they are still parked so i can get a HEAD START.
i did get to do this at one wedding i shot and it helped big time.

the last wedding i shot, they wanted to "drive around" in the limo for like an hour and wanted to meet me at the next location. which was nice because we got there and could set up ahead of their arrival. of course they were late though, and the wedding party was trashed. ugh, oh well.

but sending an assistant/second shooter with the limo is the best way to go i think. then they can get some shots in there, and are already with them when they arrive..

Assistants help. Manage expectations around travelling and your overhead. Help couples plan their day. Don't give them the option of having stupid, time consuming photos, like a limo driving away or people walking into a room.

why did you park so far away?

gravy graffix wrote in post #11295228
why did you park so far away?

Closest parking. A limo can drop off and then circle around the block.

Is 10 minutes of setup to get a two light setup slow? Can I improve in this area as well?

Depends when you're doing it, and if people are waiting for you. In general yes 10 minutes is way too slow. Get an assistant to do that.

wdwpsu wrote in post #11299629
Is 10 minutes of setup to get a two light setup slow? Can I improve in this area as well?

Try using my two light system : Natural light (main or fill) and Artifical light (main or fill too). It'll cut down your setup time. Also, buy a flash meter. I use mine to get my reading and have a baseline setting in an instant.

I always have an assistant/2nd shooter on a wedding. Always.