Post # 1

Member
10 posts
Newbee
We’d like to have a whole group shot right after our ceremony before people head to cocktail hour by our officiant. My question is, when should it be announced? Before the officiant announces "Mr and Mrs"? After? After bridal party walks out?
I’ve seen it done nicely before but I can’t remember how they did it where people still paid attention, knew what to do without interrupting the flow of the ceremony. Thoughts?
Post # 3

Member
98 posts
Worker bee
- Wedding: July 2018 - Rainforest wedding, beachfront restaurant reception
We put it in our program, but I’m curious about the announcement part too so I am glad that you asked.
Post # 4

Member
2324 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m planning on putting it in the program. We’re having a very small ceremony, so I figure that the photographer will just round everybody up after the ceremony while we’re up freshening up and I’m reapplying lipstick!
Post # 5

Member
508 posts
Busy bee
Aside from putting it in the program, can you have your ushers (or coordinator or other designated ‘herder’) catch people as they start to file away and direct them to the group shot. It may be helpful to station a few people.
Either that or, after you’re announced and before you walk down the aisle, or after you’ve just walked down, you could alway make an announcement yourselves – thank people and ask them to follow you (or someone else) to gather for a group shot.
Post # 6

Member
44 posts
Newbee
The best way to have that announcement is after the entire Bridal Party has walked out. Typically the officiant is the first person to walk behind the Bridal Party, so he can announce this before he "exits".
Post # 7

Member
2695 posts
Sugar bee
we needed to have an announcment too – we mentioned this to our officiant and he knew exactly when to do it – I can’t remember when it was, but it seemed pretty seamless, so you might just want to see if your officiant knows – I am sure this is not his first time being asked to make an announcement!!
Post # 8

Member
217 posts
Helper bee
I like the idea of you two kissing, walking down the aisle, and then the officiant announcing something. That is a great idea to get a group shot.
Post # 9

Member
296 posts
Helper bee
I agree with the officiant making the announcement after the bridal party exits but before he exits. That’s usually the cue for people to exit (unless there are ushers) so they will still be paying attention. We had our officiant make an annoucement about everyone helping themselves to the food since the ceremony and the reception were in the same room. I never thought to have him announce the group shot there. We had such a small ceremony (about 30-40 people) that we just rounded everyone up as they came out of the facility to greet us and told them to head to the photo spot. I must admit having that shot taken was one of the best things that I did. I absolutely love it and it may be the only picture we end up displaying in our house for a long time.