The months of planning, preparation, and anticipation can feel endless, but before you know it, you’ll be taking your first step down the aisle to say, “I do!” You’ve been dreaming of your wedding ceremony for your entire life, so it’s no surprise you want to make sure the photos that document it all are absolutely perfect. But did you know there are things you can do even now to ensure your wedding ceremony gallery takes your breath away?
As an experienced wedding photographer, I’ve collected some of my favorite tips and tricks for couples like you who want to make sure the images in their wedding ceremony gallery are flawless! Now, I want to share that advice with you! Here are my top eight tips for breathtaking wedding ceremony photos:
- PRACTICE YOUR FIRST KISS
Nearly every couple places the first kiss as a married couple at the top of their “must-have photos” list, but so many of them stumble through the kiss when the time comes! To avoid feeling rushed, awkward, or unsure when the time for the kiss arrives, practice precisely when and how you’re going to kiss. I know this sounds a little strange, but I promise it will pay off in your wedding gallery!
- PLAN FOR AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY
In the age of social media, many of your guests want to be the first to post photos from your wedding day on social media. And it’s sweet that they want to share so publicly in your special day! But so many fantastic wedding ceremony photos have been marred by raised cell phones. There have even been horror stories of photographers missing important moments like first kisses, vows, or the exchange of rings because Uncle Todd, who wanted to take a cell phone photo, accidentally blocked their view. Invite your guests to be fully present with you on your special day by keeping their phones tucked away until the reception. Your photographer will make sure all the special moments are documented.
- SPACE OUT YOUR WEDDING PARTY
To ensure every single member of your wedding party makes it into your wedding gallery, ask them to leave plenty of space between them as they walk down the aisle. If you have a ceremony coordinator, they will likely be on top of it, but it’s always a good idea to double-check. However, if you don’t have a ceremony coordinator, make sure you remind each member of your bridal party before the ceremony to leave space on their way down the aisle.
- SAVOR YOUR WALK DOWN THE AISLE
This is it! Your big moment! After months of planning, you are finally going to take the walk you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl. So, why rush it? As you prepare to walk down the aisle, take a deep breath, and remind yourself to walk slowly. From the look on your groom’s face to your dad’s beaming smile from your guest’s teary eyes to your own radiant beauty, these photos are all going to be captured during your trip down the aisle. Those are a lot of can’t-miss photos, and by walking slowly, you’ll make sure they can all be documented!
- ENSURE YOU’RE STANDING IN THE CENTER
You’ll probably arrive at the end of the aisle overwhelmed with emotion and maybe even a little bit nervous. As you juggle the train on your dress, your veil, and your feelings, the last thing you’ll be thinking about is centering yourself against your backdrop. But if you have an arch, altar, or installation of any kind, it may bother you when your gallery arrives to notice that you were horribly off-center for the entire ceremony! Save yourself the headache and worry by practicing exactly where you’re going to stand for the ceremony, and even consider putting little tape markers on the floor to remind you where to go.
- PREPARE WITH YOUR OFFICIANT
If your officiant has done many weddings, they will likely know how to help you ensure your ceremony photos come out perfect. But it’s always great to double-check that he or she knows where to stand during those iconic moments, specifically the first kiss. It’s a good idea to ask your officiant during the rehearsal to step just to the side during your first kiss as a married couple so that the photo will be of just the two of you.
- CONSIDER THE LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE
To avoid beads of sweat in your ceremony photos or images filled with shivering guests, keep the lighting and temperature in mind when planning your ceremony. If it’s going to be outdoors on a hot summer day, you may want to position yourself and your guests under trees or some other form of shade. If it’s going to be very chilly, make sure you and your wedding party will be dressed for the cold. And it’s always a good idea to let your photographer know well in advance what the lighting at your ceremony venue will be like to ensure they come prepared!
- MAKE YOUR EXIT A MEMORABLE ONE!
You’ve said “I do,” and now it’s time to party! Make the photos of your exit look as jubilant as you feel by inviting your guests to stand and celebrate with you. And remember, there’s no rush to leave! Instead of racing down the aisle, stop to hug, kiss, and celebrate with your loved ones as you pass them. I promise these will be some of your favorite images from the entire day, so let’s make them count!
