Do You Need a Rehearsal Dinner Photographer? What to Consider Before Booking One
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
You’ve spent months (maybe years!) planning the perfect wedding, but what about the night before? If you’re hosting a full-scale wedding rehearsal dinner or welcome party, chances are it’s more than just a quick meal with the wedding party.
That’s where a rehearsal dinner photographer comes in. While it may seem like a “nice-to-have” at first glance, having a professional capture those pre-wedding moments can allow you to stay present with your favorite people. So, should you book a photographer for your rehearsal dinner? Here’s what to consider!
Photo credit: Manda Weaver Photography
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Chat With Your Photographer First
Before you start signing contracts or adding extra hours to your photography package, have a quick heart-to-heart with your photographer. It’s a different vibe from the wedding day, so you’ll want someone who understands the more relaxed, candid nature of the evening.
Manda Weaver, Owner/Photographer at Manda Weaver Photography, notes, “First, check with your wedding photographer. Not only will this ensure your rehearsal gallery images are consistent with your wedding day, but it also allows your photographer to build rapport with your wedding party and close family before the wedding. The result is often more open, honest, and fun images of your wedding.”
Getting aligned early on helps ensure your photographer captures the night in a way that reflects the mood you’ve worked hard to create.
Plan Your Shot List
Though you don’t need a hyper-detailed shot list for a casual event, jotting down a few “must-haves” can go a long way. Think: a photo with your grandparents, a group picture of your college crew, or a shot of you and your partner under that string-lit patio.
“If you’re adding rehearsal dinner coverage, make sure your photographer understands what you’re going for,” emphasizes Craig Peterman, Photographer & Videographer at Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Do you want full documentation, or just key moments like speeches and table shots?”
Share those ideas with your photographer so they’re not guessing who or what’s important to you. This small step can make a big difference when you’re flipping through your photos later and realize someone special is missing.
Book Well In Advance
Like everything else in the wedding world, timing matters. Photographers book up quickly (especially during peak wedding season), so waiting until the last minute might leave you scrambling or paying more money.
Loni Peterson, Owner of LP Creative Events, shares, “Something to be aware of when adding a photographer to your rehearsal dinner outside of already contracted terms is that these add-on hours could be listed at a higher rate than if you were to just book the extra hours from the beginning. Asking a vendor to add hours at the last minute can affect their personal lives, family obligations, or anything they had planned around your agreed-upon contracted hours, and you will be charged accordingly.”
Even if you're still finalizing your dinner plans, penciling in that extra date early gives you flexibility and time to update your budget. Plus, it allows your photographer time to prep and scout the location.
Photo credit: Amy Kolo
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Confirm Who’s Taking The Photos
If your main wedding photographer isn’t available, or you’d rather save their time for the wedding day, that’s okay! Just make sure you clearly confirm who will be snapping the shots at your rehearsal dinner.
“You should also talk with your wedding photographer or re-read your contract to make sure that if hired for the rehearsal dinner, they will be the ones to photograph it,” confirms Meghan Lynch, Wedding Photographer at Meghan Lynch Photography. “Some photographers may have it written in their contract that they can take a wedding the day before and send in an associate photographer to cover their client’s rehearsal dinner in place of them.”
Whoever it is, ensure they have the details they need. Clear communication avoids confusion and ensures the night gets the attention it deserves.
Don’t Go Overboard
Remember: the rehearsal dinner is more relaxed, and it’s okay if not every minute is documented. A few hours of coverage is often more than enough to catch the highlights and preserve the vibe.
Kevin Heslin, Owner & Photographer at Kevin Heslin Photography, says, “Some things to keep in mind when hiring a photographer for the rehearsal dinner are that most of the time, you don't need coverage of the whole event. When guests first arrive, there is a lot of hugging and smiling, and it is great to have coverage of this part of the evening. Also, coverage for speeches or other activities is a must. Usually, the photography coverage can end at some point during the dinner, as most people are saving all their energy for the next day.”
Instead of trying to turn it into a second wedding shoot, focus on what really matters. Your photographer will appreciate the freedom to capture genuine moments without an overly structured plan.
Set Expectations Ahead Of Time
A little heads-up goes a long way when it comes to having a photographer at your rehearsal dinner. It doesn’t have to be formal; a quick note in your weekend itinerary or a mention during the welcome toast is all it takes to make everyone feel in the loop.
“Our advice is to set expectations on coverage time, dress code, and specific moments you want captured, like welcome speeches or special interactions,” recommends Jaclyn Watson, Owner of Jaclyn Watson Events. “If extending your main photographer’s contract, check availability and confirm any added fees or logistics so everything flows smoothly.”
Setting expectations also applies to your vendor team. Whether you’re extending your photographer’s hours or bringing in someone new, make sure everyone is on the same page about the schedule, location, and priorities.
Photo credit: Mandee Johnson Photography
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Help Your Loved Ones Get Comfortable In Front Of The Camera
Most people aren’t used to being professionally photographed, and the idea of a camera hovering nearby can feel a little intimidating. Encourage your guests to treat the photographer like part of the celebration, not a paparazzo lurking in the corner.
Tracy Autem, Owner of Tracy Autem Photography, adds, “Ideally, you've already built a relationship with your photographer at this point, so you know they understand the people that are important to you, and will be that much more primed to capture candid moments with them as they unfold. This will also allow both your families to get more comfortable in front of the camera and with your photographer, so that the wedding day can go that much more smoothly.”
One easy tip? Introduce the photographer to a few key family members and friends early in the evening. Once guests realize they’re friendly, they’ll start to relax and act naturally.
Capture The More Intimate Moments
The rehearsal dinner is often filled with some of the most emotional, heartfelt moments of the whole wedding weekend. This is when your mom gives that teary-eyed toast, or your best friend from college recalls a hilarious (and slightly embarrassing) memory from your early days.
“Unlike the wedding day, where timeline and formalities take center stage, the rehearsal dinner is much more relaxed, low-pressure, and personal,” reminds Zhaun Frias, Owner & Lead Photographer at Zhaun Frias Photography, LLC. “Guests let their guards down, and wedding parties feel less pressure to always have their ‘act together.’ Often, loved ones give heartfelt speeches, and old friends reconnect. These are moments you won't want to forget and often incredible opportunities for your photographer to capture.”
These quiet, meaningful exchanges are the moments that don’t always happen on the big day. Having a photographer there to catch them on camera gives you a chance to relive those feels long after the last plate is cleared and the wedding bells have rung.
Hiring a photographer for your rehearsal dinner isn’t a must, but if you’re planning a meaningful evening, it can be well worth it. With a little planning and the right vendor by your side, you’ll walk away with photos that beautifully capture the spirit of the night before "I do!”
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
Welcome to stress-free and easy wedding rehearsal dinner planning and ideas! Let’s Get Rehearsed is the best, most helpful planning and inspiration resource for all things wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding welcome parties, and the night before the wedding celebrations. If you’re in rehearsal dinner planning mode or looking for unique ideas, check out our real rehearsal dinner and welcome party photos, rehearsal dinner ideas and inspiration, advice for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, and a rehearsal dinner printable and download shop.
Don’t forget to visit the Let’s Get Rehearsed Shop where you can find fun and affordable wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, wedding welcome party signs, printables, digital downloads and more.
Let’s Get Rehearsed is all about getting you rehearsed before the wedding, so you can get to the celebration!
Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog. Click here for our site Terms & Conditions as well as our Privacy Policy.
Meghan Ely is the founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency specializing in publicity, speaking engagements, and thought leadership for wedding and event professionals. Through her work, Meghan Ely has helped clients earn placements in top-tier media outlets including The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and People, and she also leads the OFD Collective, a PR membership community for industry pros.