Are these things on the list of must haves for your your wedding photo album or gallery?

• Pictures of grandparents and children

• Details

• Private Vows/Bridal Portraits

These are three things I always prioritize when I photograph weddings. As a photographer, I feel very strongly about them and as someone who is planning her wedding, these are absolutely on my list for my photographer.

Pictures of Grandparents and Children:

Weddings are a time that those special people in your life come together to celebrate with you. One day, the photographs of your grandparents will be the ones you use to show your kids how special that person was. That photo will be the way you introduce them to the person they don’t quite remember… or tell the same joke they told you when you were that age.

I always prioritize getting images of the children at weddings because everyone’s childhood is truly a fleeting moment for everyone involved. If you didn’t opt to go for a kidless wedding, then it is probably safe to say you either have a connection with the children present, or you have a connection with someone who loves those children very much. The photo of you at your aunt’s wedding, just might end up in a photo collage at your wedding. The ages where there are missing teeth and goofy smiles are my favorite!

Details:

Your wedding day, however you choose to design it, is a representation and a culmination of you and your partner’s life together up to this point. Whether every detail was planned, or you’re kind of just winging it, that is the reality and beauty of the moment you designed. I find so much joy in finding the nuances and subtleties to paint the whole picture of YOUR wedding day.

It is so common too, that during the moment you don’t get to see all of the little things that created the day you enjoyed. When I return the gallery to my customers, they are always surprised by at least one thing I photographed that they didn’t even know happened or was there. They get to enjoy that moment forever through the photograph and sometimes those can be the sweetest little details.

Private Vows/Bridal Portraits:

I ABSOLUTELY believe that wedding photography should revolve around your day and that your day should NOT be designed around a photo list. For this reason, I am listing private vows and bridal portraits as the last “must have” and with the condition that you do it for the moments you get to spend together.

I am currently planning my own wedding, and am in love with including a private vow moment for me and my fiancé. I am excited to share our vows in front of our family and friends and have them witness our forever bond, but I want that intimate moment for just me and him too. You can execute private vows in lots of different ways.

Here are some ideas I have brainstormed with my customers:

• First Look with Private Vows

• First Touch with Private Vows

• Silent Vows:

  • I was talking to a bride that said her fiancé has never been one who was excited to be in front of people and is a man of few words. She expressed that this might be an uncomfortable and potentially stressing moment for him. I suggested that they could do private vows and this could be anything they wanted. Even if they sat there in each others company. Held each other in their arms and talked through the touches, breathing, and connection that they shared, it might be a beautiful moment they get to share together and create an intimate connection before they have to face the ceremony.

In most of the weddings I have photographed, we have done the bridal portraits after the ceremony. I will usually tell my couples to take a few minutes after the ceremony to themselves. I never like to rush straight into bridal portraits and would personally find it rude if I had just gotten married. I like to capture these moments as you guys celebrate your unity and feel the emotions. Here are some of my favorite images I have captured during this transitional time.

When we got to the venue, we picked a spot that they would exit their ceremony and have a moment to themselves. They took their time and had a chance to celebrate and enjoy each other as they privately walked to that spot. We did the bridal portraits at the spot discussed and then did a grand entrance afterward!

Once you have had a moment to enjoy the emotions surrounding finally getting married, we can jump into bridal portraits! These are so much fun and are one of my favorite parts about weddings. While your guests are going to the reception area, or just changing from ceremony brain to party brain, you get a chance to spend some one-on-one time with your new Husband or Wife. And, let’s be honest, no-one gets to spend nearly enough time with their partner on their wedding day. The bridal portraits can be as long or short as you would like them to be and then we generally will prep for the grand entrance as Husband and Wife!

Wedding planning can be a little intimidating, but don’t get discouraged! Remember what is important to you and get someone in your corner to help weed through all of the opinions and helpful tips that we are surrounded with these days.

I always help with the timeline of your day and can help you work though what you want to prioritize during your wedding day.

If you want to learn more about my wedding photography services, I have my packages and more about my wedding photography style here. You can always reach out to me by filling out this inquiry form here.