When my sister first got engaged and the planning process started one of the first things I asked her was who her photographer was going to be. It wasn’t my first thought that I could pull double duty and be both the MOH and the photographer. I was ready to let someone else take care of that! However as planning started and they were operating on a tight budget there weren’t that many options. So when I read an article on a photography blog I follow about how they were both in the wedding and shooting it – I pitched the idea to her. At the time it seemed like a win-win. They could keep the costs low and I could make sure they had amazing wedding pictures (when you’re type A it’s hard to let things like this go). But I also knew I’d need a lot of help – I’m not that crazy :) So I called my trusted second shooter Jessica of JLE Photography. We’ve been shooting together for two seasons now and she is my right hand. She knows how I think and where I’m going to go and what my nonsense words actually mean when I’m in the middle of family formals. And since Scott started to shoot with me toward the end of this season I recruited him too and the plan was set. At the time I didn’t know he was also going to be a groomsman…but we still made it work!

For those of you who are wondering, it can be done and you can still enjoy the wedding day – you just need to be strategic, have a team you trust, and be willing to put the camera down at times and enjoy yourself. Here’s how we pulled it off (all of these behind the scenes images were shot by Jessica or Scott).

I woke up the morning of the wedding earlier than I normally would and got my makeup on and started my hair – the plan was to be completely ready but that didn’t quite happen. Then I drove the girls to Charmarie for hair and makeup. I dropped them off and picked up the Starbucks per my MOH duties and then headed back to do all the prep shooting – and got a little work done too :)

Then we headed back to my parents house to meet up with Jessica and all the other girls. In the mean time Scott was taking care of all the guys getting ready photos. Julie and the girls sat down to lunch while I shot all the details with Jes. Then I finished my hair (or more accurately one of the bridesmaids curled it for me!) then got dressed. I then stepped back into MOH duty and helped get Julie in her wedding dress. Once we had it zipped up I couldn’t help but grab a few more pics of the girls helping her with her shoes!

 

Then we paused for a time of prayer – to start the day of right and thank God for this marriage. It was the first time we slowed down all morning and I took the time to really stop and be in the moment.

Then while the girls were finishing up I snuck Julie off for a bridal portrait and then Jessica drove us to the First Look. She hid her away while I waited for the groom to arrive. We shot the first look together and some portraits. Then I helped set up the bridal party portraits and jumped in while Jes shot. Then I shot the groomsmen and she took over again for the full bridal party – all while Scott was capturing candids. It was truly a team effort.

Standing on a bench cause my brother in law is 6’3 and short people problems :)

Then we headed to the church for family formals. Normally I shoot and pose and Jes helps by getting the groups “on deck” and organized. For Saturday we switched so she could shoot and I could wrangle my family. I set up all the groups as needed and jumped in where necessary.

After family formals were done we went and took all the detail shots of the ceremony space. I then set all the gear down and went downstairs to be a bridesmaid again :) I hung out with the other girls up until the ceremony and let Jes take over and shoot. She covered the whole thing by herself (since both Scott and I were up front) and did an amazing job! She also handed the recessional and I grabbed my camera bag that was at the back of the church and just followed Julie and Aric outside for more portraits. While her and I shot the rest of the wedding party flipped the room for the reception.

Above you’ll notice some Justin & Mary “robotics” posing :)

After portraits we grabbed the reception details and then I went to sit at the head table for the grand entrance. I ate and danced and didn’t pick up my camera again until it was time to cut the cake. We all got shots of that, and the first dance. Then I put down my camera for the toasts. And I even snuck in a dance with my husband. The rest of the night I got to talk with my family and friends at the reception and Jes got some great dancing pictures!

We grabbed a few more large family groups we’d skipped earlier in the same way – I directed (below me trying to wrangle all the Wrigleys/Behals), Jes shot and she even grabbed a few of Scott and I!

Then it was inside to help Julie change and out for the sparkler exit! I shot that and got to give my baby sister a kiss as they headed out for their honeymoon!

After that I sent my second home and transitioned back to MOH to help clean up the church and have dinner with the family. Overall the day went great and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. I got to shoot some fun portraits and enjoy the reception. I was able to be present in the ceremony and wrangle my family for pictures :) And I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! If you are considering doing both, know it can be done but also know it’s ok to trust your team, put down the camera, and have a great time at the wedding!