Do I have time?

[Stina3246]

I'm shooting a wedding Dec. 18th. The ceremony is starting at 4:00pm and the sun sets at 5:30. The couple want formals done in several locations at the venue. All are walking distance but one is a little bit of a hike (I'm going to the location on Dec 6th just to scope things out) The question: Is an hour (or maybe 45 min.) enough time to shoot the couple AND the wedding party, in several different locations? The couple has offered to meet me before the wedding (On the wedding day) fully dressed and ready for the shots. I HATE to do that because well, you know...the groom shouldn't see the bride in her dress before the wedding. ALSO, the sun won't be as pretty at around 3pm. What would you guys do?
I have a second photographer but that won't help in this situation.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by Stina3246

I'm shooting a wedding Dec. 18th. The ceremony is starting at 4:00pm and the sun sets at 5:30. The couple want formals done in several locations at the venue. All are walking distance but one is a little bit of a hike (I'm going to the location on Dec 6th just to scope things out) The question: Is an hour (or maybe 45 min.) enough time to shoot the couple AND the wedding party, in several different locations? The couple has offered to meet me before the wedding (On the wedding day) fully dressed and ready for the shots. I HATE to do that because well, you know...the groom shouldn't see the bride in her dress before the wedding. ALSO, the sun won't be as pretty at around 3pm. What would you guys do?
I have a second photographer but that won't help in this situation.

Meh.. I'd say on the face of it, maybe.

Of course there are a bunch of different variables that come into play you haven't given, such as size of the party, and exactly how close these locations are to each other. Walking distance is too vague. Even moving a group of ten people 50 yards can take 5 minutes from the last shot of 1 segment to the first shot of the next... depends how into it they are, depends on how quickly you set up and pose etc...

Gtting rid of the wedding party after the first location or two and just being with the BnG is something I do all the time.. they're invariably not keen on being there anyways, better to let them go and get their drink on.

Depending on how comfortable you are with working with lighting will maybe extend your capabilities with the setting sun, but still you have a reception to get to... it also depends on how many images theyre expecting you to deliver...

I've worked with as little as 20 minutes in one location that had three distinct looks before.. it wasnt optimal, but they were happy and i'm sure that anyone who looked through all of my weddings couldn't pick out which one it was.

Its all part of the challenge I guess.