Need advice! Special photo op or private look of ballroom?

Hey brides! We have a dilemma and our wedding is in 9 days. Our cocktail hour is an hour and a half long, 6:30 to 8. and we are not doing a first look (absolutely not and we are both not being convinced otherwise lol.) During that cocktail time, we need to do family formals (not many photos, photographer said 20 mins max), a few bridal party photos ride outside the venue, and a special photo in the city at a location which is a ten min drive away. The best man is driving us so we don’t have to worry about parking. But the venue gave us the timeline this week, and they want us back at 7:35 (reception is at 8) to have a private look of the ballroom all decorated before people start entering. If we do this, there’s almost no chance we can do the special photo 10 mins away, but we really want this photo. Are we going to miss out on an important moment if we don’t do this private look of the ballroom??? I didn’t even know for sure this was a thing, but now I’m worrying I’ll miss out on something if we don’t do it? But getting this other photo is really important to me. Help! Lol. Thanks ladies!