In your contract, there is a section (section #4) that states, “….beacuse a wedding is an uncontrolled/unpredictable event, Jennifer Bullock cannot guarantee delivery of any specifically requested image(s).” This statement is very true and it is in the contract to protect the photographer and hopefully give understanding to the wedding couple. However, this doesn’t necessarily prevent both parties (couple and photographer) from walking away with an uneasy feeling when some desired shots were missed. There is nothing more important to the photographer than to round up a good portion of great formal, or informal, shots. It is just as important to me as it is to you. TRUST ME. Or why else would I be here? 
Now, to round up that portion of great desired shots, there is a huuuuuge factor. TIMING. It is pretty critical to be sure that everything about your day is very well planned out and plays without a hitch. A photographer has to require at least one hour for formal shots. Whether that happens before the ceremony, after the ceremony, or both – it is sooo necessary. More than an hour would be so much better and far more beneficial to you. But one hour – no less. And the schedule needs to flow on time. Things commonly happen and easily throws the schedule off. We understand that. However, when it’s all said and done……the couple gets married, the reception happens, the DJ runs his schedule of events during the reception, coordinators do their thing, etc. But, what did you get for pictures? Did you not get your one hour or more in with the photographer specifically just for formals? Did the photographer or yourself feel rushed? If so, the one thing you’ll be losing out on…the one thing that lasts far beyond the ceremony, receptions, the DJ and his stuff…..are photographs. Lack of time and a feeling of being hurried, very well can result in a smaller number of photos and very little desired shots. Formals are so critical. You either get enough of them in, or you don’t. Candid shots can be easily taken throughout the day. To me, that’s the carefree part. Having more than enough time for formals is another story. You don’t want anything cutting into formal time.
To prevent anyone walking away unsatisfied due to lack of formal photos or anything desired that was missed, I greatly stress planning out formal time very, very wisely…and try very hard to not let anything cut into it (if you need photo plannig tips on this, let me know). Honestly, if things are running late….I personally say don’t worry too much about what’s waiting ahead, lol. Everything will still be there waiting for you and guests will be drinking. And you won’t be keeping them waiting too long. But it’s hard to get that formal photo hour back. ESPECIALLY when daylighting is key…which almost always is. A photographer cannot miss that light if photos are done outdoors, or if you’re having a ceremony in a church that doesn’t allow flash photography. In that case, try to plan your church ceremony early enough in the day to hopefully bring natural lighting in, and enough time still after for formal shots outside.
Remember, you and I are on the same team. We both want the same thing: Great candids and GREAT formals. When everything is over, photographs are all that are left. So please help me help you walk away with a great portion of great stuff. :-)
