As a wedding photographer, I feel extremely privileged. I get to see the bride from when she puts on her makeup and beautiful dress, to when she and her groom dance for the first time as husband and wife (and when their friends and family join in, too!). After capturing a variety of weddings, I have noticed quite a few details that make each wedding stand out its own and really bring depth to the imagery – and that, in my opinion, is quite important!
1. Ceremony Backdrop
If you are getting married and you want an outdoor location (or an indoor venue that is not a church), consider the backdrop that will be in your photos. I have shot weddings recently with lots of awesome details that really stuck out in the images. For example, one bride and groom said “I Do” in front of a beautiful drapery that framed them. Another couple got married in front of a forest with a whimsical feel. A third couple got married in front of a dock and had a beautiful lake as the background. Here’s an example from the dock wedding:
2. Head Table
Receptions tend to be dark. One piece of advice I have for brides is to ensure that you have a well-lit head table, and one that will photograph well. A great way to have good lighting is to put the head table near the lightest portion of the room, or to have an external light source. One example I’ve seen is to hang a unique chandelier; it adds light and looks beautiful!
3. Dance Floor
Decorated dance floors are an important part of the day, as you will be sharing your first dance and more on it. One of my favorite things ever are Christmas-esque lights; they make every dance floor look magical! Here is an example of a wedding I shot with an awesomely planned dance floor:
The left image is a shot I took in the morning when I was capturing detail shots, and the right image was taken during the first dance that shows the effect of the lights. Little details like these make the wonderful moments look even more beautiful.
4. Details
As I just mentioned in the last section, little details add depth. I am a HUGE fan of pinterest for wedding decor, as most brides are. There are so many things you can get, and even make, to compliment your wedding theme. Quick example: at a wine themed wedding I shot this winter, the bride made a sign for the bar out of corks. I had never seen it before, and I loved it! Here’s a shot I took of it:
Well, there you have it – a few pieces of advice from a photographer on what will make your wedding look even better on camera. Happy planning!
Blessings,
V