Is it ok to ask to leave??

<p>Hello! My question is, is it OK to ask the bride if you can leave the reception before your time is up?<br />Here's what happend... It was almost 11p.m. and almost all the guests had left already. I was contracted to stay until midnight. So only a handful of people were left and absolutely nothing was going on, they were just sitting and talking while others were picking up. So my assistant and I were just sitting there feeling useless, doing nothing! Neither the bride or groom were telling us anything nore did they say we can just leave. So we waited until 11:30 and I finally got up to ask the bride if there was anything else she needed, she said no, so I asked if we could call it a night and I explained why. She was fine with it and thanked us for everything.<br />But should I do this if it happens again or just sit there till time is up?</p>

<p>Once there is nothing going on, people are leaving, bride and groom and wiped, I make my pleasant goodbyes to the key family and bridal party members, last to bride and groom.<br>

Instead of asking if I can leave, I just tell that we have so much great stuff, when it will be on-line and what they need to do next. Take the hug and out of there.<br>

One of the reasons I don't give a specific time for ending but instead go from aspect of the day to aspect of the day, is to avoid the clock watch thing. In your case I probably would have waited till about 11:30 also, an hour ahead seems a bit risky, what if something great did go on.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I typically do a number of hours shoot, not a shoot until deal... but once I've got the key shots (dances, garter, bouqet, cake) - there's only so many of uncle Bob dancing with a chair or Aunt Claire putting a lightshade on... that one can handle...</p>

<p>If I've got all of the key shots and it's clear that all that's left is dancing or clean-up - I'll say my goodbyes to key members and bride and groom and go.</p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

<p>I don't usually "ask" to leave, I tend to just sense when my time is up and announce my exit to the bride/groom. However, I typically check in with the bride/groom as I sense that I'm getting to the end of my time or the end of what is useful to shoot. I try to make sure that they don't have any surprise guests that they really wanted a photo with or any last minute family shots that we forgot about or some such thing.</p>

<p>If I am contracted to stay until midnight, then I will stay until midnight. But then it is very rare that I am contracted until midnight. 11pm is a very late night for me. 10 is our usual stopping point. However, if I am contracted until midnight, then I am staying until midnight. I might get everything packed and ready to go if it's really slow, but I am sticking around. I don't want the Bride & Groom thinking that the contract is still negotiable! </p>

<p >Oh, Hello again! </p>

<p ><strong><em> </em></strong></p>

<p ><strong><em>"I was contracted to stay until midnight."</em></strong></p>

<p > </p>

<p >I do not work Wedding Coverages on an "ending time basis" (and your question is one of the reasons why I don't) – but if I did, and if the contract stipulated I was contracted to stay until midnight I would stay until about 0015hrs. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >At about 2330 I would ask if there were any specific tasks the Clients required and then begin to pack my gear, leaving one camera slung, just in case. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >My reasoning is exactly as JD wrote: if one has stipulations in the contract then stipulations apply both ways . . . just consider the inverse of the situation you describe is something like this:</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Bride says at 2100Hrs: "Oh yeah I know you were contracted to stay until midnight - that's why we bought your eight hour coverage package – but really we’re just going to dance and party on now and all the Photos seem to be done, so you can go, but hey we only want the 5 hour package now, so please give us a refund for the difference.” </p>

<p > </p>

<p >I have found that in business, it is best to sell the product and then deliver just that little bit more, not that little bit less. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >WW</p>

<p > </p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Instead of asking if I can leave, I just tell that we have so much great stuff, when it will be on-line and what they need to do next. Take the hug and out of there.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree with Brooke's approach to the situation. I also second the idea of not working with a specific "ending time."<br>

At the booking meeting, I make a point to explain what the "8-hour" package includes... It includes UP TO 8 hours of coverage so that if things are happening, great we're right there! But when the reception winds down, and nothing is happening, that is when we leave. I imagine you are more worried about clients wanting a refund on one hour that they "paid for" or something like that, and most couples are happy to have a time cushion once you explain why it's there. And, time flies by SO QUICKLY on a wedding day, and its pretty safe to go home once you can visibly tell that the bride and groom are getting ready to leave (or however the end works out at the particular wedding). As I write this I realize how hard it is to make generalizations about wedding schedules because every wedding is so different. I suppose the best way to work on this situation is to play it by ear, and go with the flow. Sometimes you might leave early, and sometimes you might stay later, and other times everything will be perfectly on schedule (rarely...lol). I feel like I know the Bride and Groom well enough by the end of the night to gauge when it's time to leave. I really hope that made some kind of sense!<br>

Erin</p>

<p>I usually escape through a trap door built into the floor. or ask the bride for the last dance in which case the groom will say "you may go now"<br>

Usually when it gets to the bon voyage time I ask the bride if there are any additional shots she would like with the remaining guests, she'll look around briefly, not her head no, then I nod, then I pack up and get on out of there. <br>

also pay attention to the bar tender, when they get close to running out of drinks, the party is near the end!</p>

"or ask the bride for the last dance in which case the groom will say "you may go now" - Felix

<p>LOL! :D

<p>Same approach as Felix - "<em>Usually when it gets to the bon voyage time I ask the bride if there are any additional shots she would like with the remaining guests, she'll look around briefly, not her head no, then I nod, then I pack up and get on out of there."</em><br>

Sometimes, when im all packed up and ready to go...i will hear <em>"Oh Anton, can you pleaseeeee pleaseee take one picture of me and aunt Susie...I know you have to leave, but can you please.It will mean a world to me"</em><br>

Although i asked for that exact picture myself 3hrs ago, I will then put on my happy face again, unpack and take the most gorgeous shot i can. This is what we do. This is who we are.</p>

 

<p>Now that i think about it, i dont think i ever left on time. i tend to always stay a bit longer then "discussed". It’s hard to say goodbye to the couple, especially at the end. They are dancing with people, having heart to heart conversations with other guests, it’s a bit awkward to come up sometimes and tell them the "time" is up. It could be anywhere from 5-10min to get bride/groom alone for you to ask them something...</p>

<p>I contract to tell the story of the day ... when the story is over I know it. </p>

<p>At this point I go to the <strong>groom</strong> and ask if the couple would like any final shots (um, I mean photographs!) before I pack up my gear and head home. </p>

<p>Asking the groom seems to just be respectful since I've been working full tilt with the bride (in most cases) since planning started. The grooms take it as a sign of respect towards the new relationship formed by he ceremony.</p>

<p>I don't ask permission ... I ask if they'd like a final photograph before I pack up to head home.</p>

<p>We do not do a strict finsh time either. We have oin our contrat that we do the hig pints of the reception. Intros, cake cutting 1st dance, father/daughter, garte adn bouquet toss. We get some of the dancing ( especially yhe groom fdoing the electric slide) and then we get together witht eht B&G, go over what awas shot, and ask for any requests before we leave. Tehy ma give one or to request for specail friends or family, but usually it's handshakes, hugs and farewell.<br>

Steve</p>

<p>Only when we are starting overtime --- we never leave earlier than contracted --- Most coverages are 4 hours /....</p>

<p>We don't have a specific ending time. We usually tell the bride and groom we'll stay till all the main events are over (bouquet toss etc), and about an hour into the reception. We used to stay until the reception was over, but expensive equipment + very very drunk people made us change that quickly. <br mce_bogus="1"></p>

<p><em><strong>"We used to stay until the reception was over, but expensive equipment + very very drunk people made us change that quickly."</strong></em></p>

<p>Interesting comment.</p>

<p>WW </p>

<p>I agree with most of you, i usually end up staying past the contracted time...but there are a few weddings when people just leave early, thats when i wish i could leave :) I think what I'll do is just start letting future clients know that the end time is an estimate (meaning I'll leave when all the important shots have been taken at the end of the reception) or maybe I'll just have them use an hour for prep shots instead of at the reception.<br>

Thanks Everyone!!!!!</p>

<p>JA:</p>

<p>Then perhaps you might re-word your pacakages "<em><strong>Up</strong></em> to 8 hours coverage"</p>

<p> . . . I have just forgotten what exactly is stated</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>WW<br>

Its funny, my package list in my studio does say "up to..." but I need to add that on my website. Thanks!</p>

<p>:)</p>