14th Nov 2024

10 Essential Tips for Capturing Beautiful Wedding Ceremony Photos

Your wedding ceremony is one of the most important parts of your special day. Capturing these moments in photographs will allow you to relive them for years to come. To make sure you get the perfect shots, here are ten tips that will help you and your photographer work together for stunning wedding ceremony photos.

1. Walk slowly down the aisle

The walk down the aisle is a key moment of your ceremony, and it’s important to take it slow. Walking too quickly might prevent your photographer from capturing enough good shots. A slow pace allows your photographer to take multiple pictures, ensuring a variety of angles and expressions.

While you walk, focus on your partner waiting for you and smile. This will create genuine and memorable photos. You can also wave to your guests along the way, adding more personal and candid moments to capture. If your ceremony is in a dark venue, like a dimly lit church, walking slowly also helps prevent blurry photos due to low light.

2. Ask your maid of honor to help with your dress

Your dress is one of the highlights of the day, and it’s important that it looks perfect in every shot. While your photographer may adjust your dress at the start of the ceremony, they might not always be able to help during the event, especially in churches where they need to keep a distance.

This is where your maid of honor comes in. Ask her to make sure your dress is properly arranged throughout the ceremony, especially if there’s a lot of movement involved, like standing, kneeling, or sitting during the service. This will keep your dress looking elegant in every shot.

3. Make the first kiss last

The first kiss is a big moment, and to make sure your photographer captures it perfectly, it’s a good idea to hold the kiss for at least three seconds. This gives your photographer enough time to capture the kiss from different angles and create a series of photos you’ll love.

4. Take your time when signing the marriage documents

Signing the marriage documents is a key part of your ceremony, and it’s easy to rush through it without realizing it. Instead, take a moment to soak it all in. Look at your partner, enjoy the moment, and take your time. Your photographer will capture the emotion and significance of this moment if you slow down and are present.

5. Consider an unplugged ceremony

Many couples choose to have an unplugged wedding ceremony, where guests are asked not to take photos or videos. This allows your guests to focus on the ceremony and helps your photographer capture their reactions and emotions instead of having everyone holding up their phones.

If you don’t want to ask guests to put their phones away for the entire ceremony, consider having an unplugged processional, which is the part where you and your bridal party walk down the aisle. This will ensure that your photographer can take clear shots of your guests’ expressions without phones blocking their faces.

6. Show the rings during the exchange

During the ring exchange, it’s common for the groom to accidentally cover the bride’s hand while placing the ring. This can make it difficult for your photographer to capture the rings in the moment.

A simple tip is to be mindful of the photographer and try to position your hands in a way that shows off the rings clearly. If you forget during the ceremony, don’t worry. Your photographer can quickly reenact the ring exchange after the ceremony for the perfect shot.

7. Allow time for guest photos and congratulations

After the ceremony, your guests will likely want to congratulate you and take some quick photos with you. It’s a good idea to budget at least 20 minutes for this time. While it might seem like a long time, it’s essential to give everyone a chance to greet you and take pictures before you head off to other parts of your celebration.

8. Interact with guests during the recessional

The recessional is the moment when you and your spouse walk back down the aisle after the ceremony. It’s a joyful time, and everyone will be excited to celebrate with you. Take your time, smile, wave to your guests, and interact with your new spouse. These small interactions, whether it’s a kiss or a raised bouquet, will provide your photographer with plenty of opportunities to capture candid, joyful moments.

9. Choose your position carefully

Traditionally, the bride stands to the left of the groom during the ceremony. However, this might not always be the best position for photos, especially if it hides part of your face or your hairstyle. If you’ve planned a destination wedding or an outdoor ceremony, lighting and background play an important role in where you stand.

To get the best photos, take your photographer to your venue before the big day. They can give you advice on where to stand to make sure both you and your partner look your best, especially when it comes to lighting.

10. Check for photography restrictions

Many churches and religious venues have specific rules about wedding photography during ceremonies. Some places don’t allow photographers to move around or use flash, and others may require the photographer to stay in a certain spot, like the back of the church.

It’s important to ask about these rules well in advance of your wedding day. Make sure your photographer knows about any restrictions so they can prepare. They may need special equipment or might have to adjust their plan to ensure they don’t miss any key moments.