YOUR ROMANTIC PORTRAITS
If we’re being honest, all of the wedding day images are important but the real favorites are almost always from my time with the Bride and Groom. These romantic portraits of just the two of you will be the images that you frame beside your bed, over your mantle and they will also be the images that will fill your album for generations to enjoy. These images are always my favorite not only because of their beauty but because this is such a sweet portion of the day. For this brief moment in time, you will be alone with your groom on your wedding day. You will have a chance to love on each other and really connect before the craziness begins. Romantic portraits are normally done before the ceremony (after the First Look). Then I LOVE shooting a few “just married” portraits after the ceremony as well. This is when the light is low and golden. It’s such a romantic time for bride and groom portraits! If you’re not interested in a first look, we will make sure to include a lot of time after the ceremony for these portraits.
WEDDING PARTY
Let’s chat about your wedding party. This is when the fun really begins! I know from experience that all brides want their closest friends to have an AMAZING time during their big day and I will make sure that happens. Wedding party portraits should be FUN! After you share your first look, depending on the location and timing of the day, your wedding party will join us for portraits. If there are flower girls and ring bearers involved, they can either join us for pre-ceremony portraits or we can take one final group photo after the ceremony, before family formals. Be sure your groomsmen arrive with boutonnieres and your bridesmaids arrive with bouquets.
WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS TIMING
If you choose not to have a first look, most likely I will photograph your bridal party two separate times. The first time will be before the ceremony with the guys and girls separate (just you and your girls, and then just your groom and his guys). The second time will be immediately following family portraits and will include you, your groom and the entire bridal party (including flower girls and ring bearers – so make sure their parents know they are needed for pictures before the wedding day!)
If you choose to have a first look, we can get all the wedding party portrait shots back to back – so you and your girls, your groom and his guys, and then all of you together. If all goes well, we will be able to accomplish ALL of your wedding party portraits BEFORE the ceremony. This means that your guys and gals will be free to mingle at cocktail hour if they wish.
I will also be taking individual photos – each bridesmaid with you, and then each groomsman with your groom. Usually, I will take one or two normal smiling photos and then ask for one silly one (which can either be extremely silly or could just be you and your girls hugging each other – it’s up to you!)
WHAT TO EXPECT
There will most likely be group photos where I ask you to look at each other and interact/laugh. You might not be physically looking at someone, but just look to the right or the left. I also recommend not talking during these types of photos – but instead start laughing! Often times when we talk the photos may not be super flattering, but a big fake laugh usually ends up in genuine laughter and adorable smiles. And that translates to great photos.
TIPS
• If you bring along any props (sunglasses, balloons, etc.) assign a point person to be in charge. There’s always one or two people who forget to bring their flowers or sunglasses for these photos.
• Loose the chewing gum. It always shows up in smiling and laughing photos.
• When it comes times to select bridal party attire, my biggest piece of advice would be to shop around. David’s Bridal and bridal boutiques will always have options but recently, I have seen bridesmaids wear amazing dresses from everyday stores such as Macy's, Anthropology, LOFT, J.Crew, Mod Cloth, Nordstorm and Banana Republic! Even try some online retailers like ASOS.com, KennedyBlue.com, Azazie.com. Also, if you come across a sale, it’s actually more economical for the guys to buy suits rather than spend $175 to rent for one day!
• Remember to have fun! Your wedding day is a huge celebration and often one of the few times where your family and friends from all over can be together at once. During group photos you have your very best friends standing next to you - have fun with it and enjoy yourself! Those moments will make for some of the best memories.