Can you hear it? Wedding bells are ringing in the distance. Their sweet sound fills the entire venue—the first song to a lifelong soundtrack. Everyone watches with wide eyes and smiles as the bride—dressed in a gorgeous white dress—gracefully approaches her groom. They exchange vows, locking love-filled eyes before lips. The wedding is over quickly, but a top-quality photo could capture the memory of that magical ceremony for a lifetime. Below are seven tips for stunning wedding photos. Follow them, and you will surely snap photos worth saving for years to come!
Have Fun with Family and Friends
Your wedding is one of the happiest events of your life, and you picked those bridesmaids and groomsmen because you and your spouse enjoy their company—so enjoy their company! Even if someone rubs you the wrong way, remember that they’re here to help make your special day. Snap a few funny face photos to lighten the mood of your “just married” memories. Show the bride and groom’s sense of humor by having the bride jump and hide her legs as the groom stands behind her (she will appear to have his legs!). Or turn the groom into Spiderman.
Choose the Right Photographer
These photos should last a lifetime and more. For this to happen, having the right photographer is essential. Meet him or her before the wedding day to size up the person’s skill level and character. Does he seem trustworthy and dependable? Committed (“I do” applies here too)? Does he have a second shooter as a backup to ensure you receive quality photos if something technical doesn’t go as planned? The bottom line: You should feel comfortable with the photographer’s personality and professionalism.
Put the Facial Appearance Puzzle Together
You are beautiful. For your wedding especially, every part of your face should shine. If your teeth could use a little whitening, consider investing in teeth-whitening products. Your smile is worth the investment. Choose makeup that will take your look a level up from the everyday. Consult a professional makeup artist or knowledgeable friend for advice. You have enough to do, so don’t be afraid to ask for help in this area.
Make sure you get enough beauty sleep too. Your body—including the face—repairs itself as you sleep. A tired look might be okay for one funny photo, but not for every photo.
Find the Right Hairstyle
The possibilities are endless, and there is likely more than one charming style for your special day. With that in mind, finding the perfect style isn’t the key—simply find one that complements your style and overall look. Curls are fun because of their bounce, but they are also great because of their elegance. Try a half-up, half-down style with a lovely headband. You might also consider leaving your hair down. The ever-popular waterfall braid works well with loose curls or straight hair.
Stay Organized
Smiling is tough when worries swarm in your mind. To avoid worrying about attire at the last minute, plan ahead. The bridesmaid dresses and, of course, the wedding dress, should be chosen far enough in advance to allow time for any necessary tweaks before photo shoots. Create a list of people who you would like photographed. This way, neither you nor the groom will regret missing the opportunity to take pictures with particular guests.
Stage Shots Well
While it’s great to gather ideas from successful weddings, this is your special day! Make staged photos magnificent and unique by choosing unusual settings like the beach or a forest. Try expressing different themes to highlight the lives of the bride and groom-to-be. Perhaps you had your first date at a movie theatre. You could join your entourage and strike a pose from a movie scene. Consider props too—have everyone release balloons at the same time a photo that will be fun to look at both now and in the future. There are lots of creative wedding photo ideas, spend some time to think about your style and poses.
Capture Natural Shots Too
Sometimes the best pictures are unplanned ones—the ones where no one reminds you to smile because you are only caught in a happy moment. You don’t want to miss moments of laughter or the bride and groom gliding across the dance floor. You want to capture them taking their vows. Such shots can also showcase the bride and groom’s character. As a wedding photographer, Josie Liming said on Photoshelter Blog, “An image I always want to get is one that showcases personality. I’m not there to just capture what the couple looks like; I’m there to capture who they are.” When you capture a part of the bride or groom’s personality, you capture a reminder of why they fell in love in the first place.
To put everything into perspective, there are several aspects to consider when it comes to taking the best wedding photos. However, fear not: you will surely succeed by keeping looks, practicality, and personality in mind, as well as choosing a friendly photographer who is willing to go above and beyond to provide great wedding photos.
Featured photo credit: photographer taking pictures of weddings via alloccasionsglos.co.uk
