Wedding party celebrates with confetti toss outside brick venue building with arched windows.

 

Cocktail Hour & Reception

 

After your ceremony, most couples take this time to do a couple of things. First, have a brief moment to yourselves. Allow a sigh of relief to happen and  celebrate your first moments as a married couple.


Second is the option to greet your guests in. a "receiving line". Your guests will filter out of the ceremony location and you can greet each guest as a pair. Though this may be take a little while, I recommend this as a way to allow your guests to congratulate you and to allow a little face time with them. This means your guests will not be interrupting your precious meal time to say congratulations because they didn't get the chance before hand.

An emotional embrace between a bride in white and a guest wearing a blue dress at an elegant indoor wedding ceremony.
A touching moment shows a bride in white embracing someone wearing blue floral attire at a wedding celebration.
Wedding couple sharing joyful moment under palm fronds by seaside gate.
Young children in matching blue and white dresses stand together at a formal event with guests in the background.
A warm embrace between two people at an outdoor wedding with bridesmaids in coral dresses looking on in the background.
Four sequential photos capture a tender embrace between a bride in white lace and someone in a dark suit.
Two people in white dresses share a joyful moment together at an elegant indoor wedding ceremony.

If you’ve booked any entertainment, music, or similar elements, these will also be captured during your drinks reception. However, if your cocktail hour is shorter, it’s worth considering a second photographer as part of your package to ensure everything is fully covered.

Vintage rotary telephone displayed on black surface against scenic hillside backdrop with 'Leave a Message' text overlay.
A wedding party gathers in a lush garden path surrounded by greenery and blooming flowers on a sunny day.
A series of black and white photos showing people gathered around tables enjoying wine and conversation at a social event.
A series of caricature drawings being sketched in sequence showing the artistic process from start to finish.
Two people in white and pink floral clothing share a joyful moment together outdoors on a sunny day.
Small appetizers served on wooden boards with elegant name cards and toothpicks at an upscale catering event.
White paper tabi socks with split toe design cast dramatic shadows against a light background.
Elegant dessert display featuring tiered stands with chocolate cakes and strawberry trifles on gold pedestals.
Small white cosmetic jars with yellow labels arranged on a dark surface in soft lighting.
Coffee station setup with white cups and a grinder against a yellow wall with green plants.
Wedding party members pose together outside a stone building during a celebration.
Stacked champagne coupe glasses filled with golden bubbly create elegant shadows on a white surface.
Wedding guests line up under a rustic wooden arch made of twisted branches in an outdoor garden ceremony.
Another option, of course, is to have a confetti tunnel right after your ceremony to celebrate saying "I do".

This also gives me the opportunity to get a candid photo of each of your guests, particularly if they may not be joining you at the reception.

Before you get too excited, though, it’s important to check with your ceremony location to see if this is allowed. Most venues will request that confetti be biodegradable, so be sure to confirm that. If your venue doesn’t permit confetti, no worries - there are still great alternatives!

In my opinion, white paper confetti tends to show up the best in photos.

And don’t worry - confetti can’t hurt you! So, when the moment arrives, try to resist the urge to close your eyes or duck away. Those action shots make for amazing memories!
Newlyweds walking through shower of bubbles during seaside celebration.
A romantic wedding kiss sequence showing multiple angles of the couple sharing their first kiss as newlyweds.
A wedding couple shares a romantic kiss as guests shower them with white confetti on a sunny outdoor path.

During your drinks reception, I will take the opportunity to also get some guests portraits. A fab wedding favour idea for your guests from your day is a portrait of them. Couples photos, individuals and family shots are a beautiful memento for anyone to take home from a wedding.


If there are any guests you’d like specific photos of, aside from your family and wedding party, please let me know through the 'Pre-Wedding Rundown' form I’ll send you.

Person in black swimwear poses against bright blue sky with dramatic clouds and sunlight.
Two people pose in stylish outfits - one in a red jumpsuit and one in blue casual wear - against an elegant interior.
Two people in white and pink floral clothing share a joyful moment together outdoors on a sunny day.
Woman in olive green dress smiling and posing at formal event with stone column in background.
Person in yellow dress poses in garden with blooming orange lantana flowers and stone wall backdrop.
A person in a white dress sits elegantly while holding a cup in a warmly lit room with classic decor.
A couple sits on a white stone bench surrounded by vibrant red roses in an outdoor garden setting.
A couple in formal attire shares a drink together during an outdoor photoshoot.
Bridesmaids in olive green dresses pose playfully in a garden with blooming pink flowers.
A musician in a white shirt plays acoustic guitar at an intimate venue setting.
A group in formal attire poses together at an outdoor garden wedding with greenery and stone stairs in the background.
An emotional embrace between a bride in white and a guest wearing a blue dress at an elegant indoor wedding ceremony.
Couple in elegant attire sharing an intimate moment near floor-length curtains with a decorative harp in the background.
Two people in a grand room with tall windows and olive green curtains pose near a plush blue velvet chaise lounge.
Young children in matching blue and white dresses stand together at a formal event with guests in the background.
Wedding party members in formal attire share champagne toasts during an outdoor celebration.
Three friends in colorful summer dresses pose playfully on a tiled patio near garden foliage.
A joyful group sharing laughter at an outdoor celebration wearing elegant spring attire.
A person wearing a sleek grey suit with a black shirt smiles brightly in front of cream colored curtains.
A couple shares a joyful moment together at an outdoor event, holding wine glasses and dressed in formal attire.

did someone say the "f" word? (no, not that one)

Family & group Photos