Your fairytale wedding is but days away. The occasion has been planned down to the very last detail and everyone has a list of exactly what they need to do on the day – breathing optional. You are so organised that you have even supplied your chosen Wedding Photojournalist with a list of photographs you would like taken. But why did he look less thrilled after he had read the list? Surely you covered everything? Surely he should be pleased that you’ve taken the time to let him know exactly what pictures you want captured – right down to the very last table shot featuring your Great-Aunty Mildred. You may have just, unknowingly, hit the nail on the head right there. Nothing personal against old Aunty Mildred, but Wedding Photojournalists are often less than thrilled at the prospect of taking endless table shots.

While you might think that a photograph of all the guests seated at a particular table is the perfect way to honour those guests that have travelled from far and wide to share this day with you, this might not always be the best way to show your appreciation. There may very well be ramifications that you have not yet thought of should you decide to go this route.

Let’s take a closer look at Aunty Mildred... On average, she’s known to have a Gin and Tonic every half hour at a social gathering, which means she’ll be away from her seat for at least ten minutes of every hour to wet her whistle. Having a weak bladder as she does, Aunty Mildred will also go to the ladies’ room after every beverage – we’re guessing that will take another twenty minutes out of the hour. And don’t forget her need for a cigarette now and again. Now if you consider your poor Wedding Photojournalist trying to take all of your prescribed table shots, you might suddenly realise why his face fell upon seeing your list of photographs to take. Wedding guests are more interested in being a part of the festivities than in remaining in their seats waiting for their chance to be photographed. A photojournalist may spend more than an hour simply getting members of various tables in place for one of these photographs.

Aesthetically, table shots might not be the most attractive of pictures to add to your wedding album. The tables are generally cluttered with empty beer bottles and half-eaten meals and half of the guests obscured by your table’s centrepiece. The Photographer will need to reposition the guests in order to capture everyone for posterity without the unwanted items spoiling the photo.

The other obstacle standing in the way of a good table shot is the fact that many couples are choosing a more casual approach to seating arrangements. Guests are encouraged to sit where they feel most comfortable and with the members of the party whose company they enjoy most. Your Wedding Photographer would inevitably miss a few members of the party if there wasn’t a set seating plan, and in the same token, duplicate others.

So what can you and your Wedding Photographer do to overcome the dreaded table shots? Your first option would be to leave disposable cameras on each table with a note addressed to your guests asking that they take photographs of each other at their tables and the festivities in general. In this way, your photographer will have more time to focus on taking the artistic photographs that he was hired to take and you will still get the photos of your guests that you wanted.

Your second alternative to having your photojournalist take table shots is to have a large group shot taken. This would include all your invited guests taken at the same time that the family photographs are captured. Have everyone sit on the steps outside the church or reception venue – they might want to sit close together so your photographer can squeeze everyone in. Your wedding album will then feature one large photograph of everyone in attendance in a more candid pose rather than 20 small traditionally posed shots. Another idea for this type of photograph is to have your photographer stand at an elevated point above the group and have everyone look up at the camera.

Wedding table shots are certainly a personal preference and your chosen photographer will take the shots if your heart is set on them. It is handy to know, however, that there are modern alternatives to the traditional photograph options. And you can still capture Aunty Mildred for posterity in the process!