The newly wed couple, hand in hand, surrounded by their family and friends welcoming them in to their new life. The air is full of petals and the celebration begins.
Kings Weston House, Bristol
A lot of wedding photos frame the couple or their guests in their location, this is one where the guests make the location! It's a really fun tradition with everyone taking part together, but how to frame all of it in a photo and get the timing just right?
The key is making sure everyone knows what they need to do, and it's actually quite simple.
The guests form two rows of about 6 metres to make the tunnel, or pathway (I've even heard it referred to as the gauntlet!). Depending on the location, the pathway starts at either the exit of the church or the entrance to a garden and leads into the scene; either down the church steps or or along a walkway to the wedding reception. Getting the guests into position and giving the following instructions is a great job for your best men, ushers or bridesmaids.
Once in place the guests are passed the confetti, either taking a cone or a handful. The photographer positions themselves at the end of the tunnel and the couple can be called forward.
You're guests will find two temptations to overcome:
Firstly, they will want to throw the confetti at the couple the moment they enter the tunnel. It's best to wait for the photographer's count to three, when the couple are almost halfway through so that a large amount of confetti in the shot is airborne behind the bride and groom, plus more people will be framed at the perfect moment.
Secondly, many people naturally want to throw overarm which tends to give the bride and groom a face full! An under arm throw, up high is best for giving us what we want; confetti filling the shot, raining down from above.
Explaining these simple instructions to your guests will set things up for a fantastic confetti photo.
Beese’s Riverside Bar, Bristol
If you'd like to talk to me about how I can photograph your wedding and capture your confetti photos then I'd love to hear from you, please get in touch.