Your perfect day is approaching and you're preparing for it to be unforgettable, choosing a photographer and planning with them what is most important to you is vital to ensure your photos are just as perfect as your wedding day.
When I'm photographing a wedding I'm concentrating on capturing the story of the day; the joining of two families and their joy as they celebrate with all their closest friends. Here are my top 10 must have wedding photo moments that you should ask your wedding photographer to be prepared for so you can relax and enjoy your wedding day.
1. Family group photos
The one photo from my wedding that is still on my Mother in Law’s fridge, 7 years on!
(Original photo by Delia McDonaugh)
I’m often asked to take only informal, candid, reportage style photos of the full event which are wonderful to have but I believe the family formals are essential!
These are the photos that are going to be treasured by the whole family and likely seen for generations to come. I can tell you that the photo of myself with my bride and our families on our wedding day is the one photo that is still on my Mother in Law’s fridge after seven years! So its well worth taking the time to get all the VIPs in to position for these photos which usually turn out to be a lot of fun.
It’s essential to plan these ahead so that there’s enough time to get all the VIPs together for each of the shots before releasing them to enjoy the champagne!
2. Getting ready
Because sheltering from the rain under a giant cake box just isn’t what you do every day!
The few hours before the wedding are some of the most exciting, a select few of your favourite people will be helping you and each other get ready for the big day. The groom won't see any of what the bride and her bridesmaids are getting up to until he sees the photos!
This is a chance for your photographer to record some of the most emotional and fun moments of the wedding; people who truly care for each other in preparation of an amazing day!
3. The untouched reception venue
You've probably spent a lot of late nights deciding on the exact details of your reception for your guests to enjoy; the decorations, the flowers, the wine, the place names...
You deserve beautiful photos of all of this to remember how perfect it all looked thanks to all your hard work.
4. The bride’s arrival
The moment every one is waiting for is just around the corner, no doubt there'll be tears of happiness in this intimate family minute. The bride is moments from uniting with her husband who is waiting, as calmly as he can, with all their favourite people!
The emotion in this fleeting moment is gold, and is of course followed by the walk down the aisle.
5. Walking back down the aisle!
The joy and relief of your new lives starting together combined with the most heartfelt applause and whooping from your guests is just magic! This overwhelming happiness at the peak of the wedding has to be captured on camera.
6. Confetti
A classic moment that requires a photographer with a plan; positioning your guests so you'll be in the shot with them and having them throw the confetti up all at the same time is vital to capturing the fun.
7. The happy couple
You'll be looking your absolute best today. It's vital to get over the nerves that we all feel when being in front of the camera and make some time to be photographed together as close, as gorgeous and as happy as you can be.
Want to feel extra natural and at ease in your couple portraits? Get used to the camera before the wedding by asking your photographer for an engagement shoot. Find out why the engagement shoot is a great idea.
The couple portrait session also gives you your first moment alone together after all the intensity and excitement of the morning, so give yourself a breather to enjoy your surroundings and make some beautiful memories.
8. Wedding rings
Close up photos of the wedding rings capture their detail when they are polished and newly finding their homes on your fingers, either worn or composed neatly together (if you can bear taking them off).
9. Speeches
Guest reactions to the speeches make brilliant photos
The moment right after this father of the bride’s touching wedding speech
The words aren’t always easy to say but it makes the speech all the sweeter
By this time of the day everyone is feeling relaxed and there's always hilarious expressions to catch on the faces of the speaker and the receiver, along with touching moments where some of the most honest and beautiful things are said. The hugs and sometimes tears that follow make some priceless photos too.
10. Awesome partying
Things start to get silly, ties inevitably find their ways on to heads, dancing and partying with all your closest friends and family create some fantastic and crazy photos, plus the venue is likely to be looking spectacular filled with lights and frolicking! Make sure you have someone there who can capture all the fun.
If your photographer captures all of these moments then you're sure to have a fantastic wedding photo album to cherish and share with your family for the rest of your lives.
If you'd like to talk to me about how I can photograph your wedding and capture all of your must have photos then I'd love to hear from you, please get in touch.