Even though there are many customs to be expected at weddings, the day can be organic. The day is filled with excitement, anticipation as well as expectations. After the wedding is said and done, it’s wonderful to look back and see your favorite people together for those most special moments like getting into your wedding attire or simply dancing together during the reception. With a little bit of thought and planning, you will have photos that include friends and loved ones without sacrificing spontaneous moments in between.
FIRST LOOK & TIME TOGETHER
Whetheror not to you decide to see each other before the ceremony, be sure to make time for yourselves. Maybe you sneak away from cocktail hour to see your reception room before guests come in and squeeze in a quick run through of your first dance. Or maybe you allow some downtime after your first look to talk. The day goes by too quickly to not revel in the moment.
FORMAL PHOTOS
Consider those must have family photos before the wedding. If you both have small families, this might be an easy task. However, if you have a big modern family, you have more dynamics to consider and it’s best to have these photo arrangements considered before the wedding day so no one feels isolated or uncomfortable while you are figuring out who wants to be photographed with who. Speak with both sides of the family and see how you can maximize portrait time without letting the photo sessions get too extended.
STICK TOGETHER
It may be easy to get separated during the rehearsal dinner and is perfectly acceptable to “divide and conquer” that day. However, on wedding day, try your best to stick together especially during the cocktail hour and reception. You can keep each other focused and ensure that you spend time with everyone and have as many photo ops together as possible.
TIME TO CONNECT
Make time to connect with people who have travelled to celebrate your nuptials. Whether it is before the wedding, during or after, you’ll want to make a point of connecting with them at some point during the festivities. Depending the amount of time and quite frankly, your budget, it might be a good idea to consider a pre-wedding dinner such as a rehearsal dinner and/or post-wedding brunch to allow for more quality time with people, more meaningful conversation and opportunities for photos. We recommend attending the cocktail hour so you can say hello to most if not all of your guests (within reason). With that said, should any conversation get too lengthy, it is ok to pull away with a polite, “Excuse me. I would really love to continue chatting but we have a few more people to say hello to…” Most anyone will understand and the fact that you took time to speak to them will be most appreciated.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO CURATE THE MOMENT
Sometimes the parents or close friends are spread about on wedding day. Perhaps Mom and Dad are entertaining different people throughout the reception space or your sister is your matron-of-honor and has a newborn baby and is getting ready in a separate room from the bridal party. You don’t want to look back and feel badly because these people are missing from special photos. So maybe set up a specific time when you hand out a small thank you gift to your wedding attendants or perhaps ask Mom to be photo ready at the time when you are getting into your wedding attire. Do you have extended families that are important but won’t arrive until later? Maybe invite them out for a quick informal photo on the dance floor during the reception. Have a shy family member? Pull them onto them onto the dance floor while people are circling. It will make them feel special and included without taking up too much time during “formal” photo sessions. Many moments will simply unfold on wedding day, but others do require some curating to ensure that you document the people that are meaningful to you. The end result is a collection of photographs that will be cherished for years to come.
