What To Expect From Your Wedding Photographer: A Complete Bride And Groom’s Guide.
As a seasoned fashion photographer with over a decade of experience, I unexpectedly encountered uncertainty when it came to selecting a wedding photographer for my own special day. I now pour my heart into photographing weddings with that same creative eye, doing my best to capture all the moments described below. Here’s the 10-point guide I wish I had while shopping for my wedding photographer.
Details.
Wedding photographers document the items that hold sentimental value. Your wedding dress is likely the most significant garment you’ll ever wear, and your shoes and accessories complete your bridal look. Your wedding album tells a story and these images help narrate the events leading up to the ceremony.
My husband’s most cherished accessory was his grandfather’s handkerchief. One of our favorite shots captures the poignant moment when he gently blots away tears from his eyes using that very handkerchief as I walk down the aisle.
The Dress:
Your wedding dress hanging or laid out, ready to be slipped on. The ‘dress’ doesn’t have to be a dress, of course. One of my favorite wedding looks is Bianca Jagger’s suit by Yves Saint Laurent.
The Bouquet:
A close-up of your beautiful wedding bouquet. The flowers are an integral part of your bridal look.
The Accessories, Wedding Bands and Invitations:
We arrange your day-of accessories (jewelry, shoes, veil, cufflinks), wedding bands and wedding stationary for an aesthetically pleasing detail shot.
Getting Ready.
Getting-ready shots are an essential part of wedding photography, capturing the excitement, anticipation, and behind-the-scenes moments before the ceremony. One reason you may want to book a photographer for the full day is to capture getting-ready shots.
My high school friends Rachel and Clémence have always helped me with my makeup, even on my wedding day. The pictures I have capturing the moments when they touched up my look are especially meaningful.
Hair And Makeup:
Lounging in a cute and comfy outfit while getting your hair and makeup done.
Bridesmaids Getting Ready:
Your bridesmaids’ camaraderie makes for great candid shots.
Groomsmen Getting Ready:
It’s a great way to capture the bond between you and your boys, helping each other out with your bow ties and cufflinks.
Getting Dressed:
Your mother and grandmother assisting you as you put on your dress and accessories
Pro Tips:
When planning your wedding, consider your getting-ready locations. Booking a hotel suite with ample natural light, for instance, can enhance the quality of the photographs.
If both bride and groom wish to have getting-ready shots captured, your photographer will need to team up with a second shooter.
First Looks.
Tradition says couples aren’t supposed to see one another on their big day until they walk down the aisle. According to superstition, setting eyes on each other before the ceremony is considered bad luck. Over time, as nuptials have evolved, another modern wedding ritual has emerged that contradicts this longstanding custom: the first look.
During first looks, the bridal party, the father of the bride, and the groom see the bride for the first time in her wedding attire, before the ceremony, away from the eyes of the guests. It’s an intimate occasion to capture candid and heartfelt reactions as they admire each other.
Whether to have a first look is a personal decision, depending on individual preferences and traditions. My husband and I decided to keep the surprise for the aisle.
Bridal Party First Look:
The bridesmaids catch their first glimpse of the bride, resplendent in her wedding attire. Filled with admiration, they often gather for a warm group hug.
Father & Daughter First Look:
The father-daughter first look typically takes place in the bridal suite once the bride and her bridesmaids are fully ready. It’s a significant prelude as the bride prepares to leave her family and start a new life with her husband.
Bride & Groom First Look:
The bride & groom first look is when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. They might share a glass of champagne.
Couple’s Shoot.
If time allows, dedicate 15 minutes to 1 hour for a couple’s shoot before the ceremony begins. This session allows the photographer to capture stunning formal and candid-looking shots of the bride and groom in their wedding outfits, looking their very best.
Plus these images will serve as the ultimate centerpiece for your wedding album cover and for the thank you cards you’ll be sending your guests!
Group Shots.
Whether taken before or after the ceremony, these photos feature various combinations of family members, wedding party participants, and friends.
I summoned the courage to request a group shot of all 86 guests and ourselves on our wedding day. Our photographer, Zach, fearlessly positioned himself on the edge of Europe’s tallest sand dune so that he could capture everyone in the frame. It’s a testament to the dedication of great wedding photographers—they’ll go to any lengths to make it work!
Immediate Family:
Grandparents, parents, siblings, and significant others.
Extended Family:
If aunts, uncles, and cousins are important to you, consider a big group photo with each side of the family.
Bride With Bridesmaids And Groom With Groomsmen:
Individual shots with the bridal party.
Full Wedding Party:
Everyone together, including flower girls, ring bearers, and ushers.
The Venue & Decor.
I love to photograph the reception space before guests enter. This allows me to document the details in their pristine state. I focus on the overall decor and ambiance, and you may want to know that I have a sweet spot for florals. These photographs make for good pairings with pictures of guests in your wedding album.
The Venue:
Interior photographs, similar to those featured in architecture and interior design magazines, and whenever feasible, a wide-angle shot of the wedding venue from an outdoor perspective.
The Decor:
Floral arrangements, table settings, light fixtures, candles, menus, place cards, and any other bespoke details.
The Ceremony.
Each wedding ceremony is unique but these are the key moments you might want to have documented.
Pro Tips:
Having a second photographer for the ceremony can significantly enhance your photographs. With an additional shooter, you can seamlessly capture precious moments: the bride and groom exchanging vows, sweeping wide-angle shots of the venue, and intimate close-ups—all simultaneously.
If your ceremony is held outdoors, consider the time of day to make the most of natural light.
The Processional:
The bride’s entrance, the groom’s reaction, and the bridal party walking down the aisle.
Guests’ Reactions:
Teary eyes, smiles, and applause.
The Vows & Ring Exchange:
The couple’s expressions, hands, and meaningful glances.
The Kiss:
Don’t rush it!
The Recessional, aka The Confetti Shot:
The married couple leaves the ceremony area with flower petals or rice thrown at them. This is the iconic confetti shot.
The Cocktail & Dinner.
The wedding reception is where the newlyweds and their guests come together to enjoy food and drinks. Joy, love, and a feast are on the table!
Speeches:
Family members, friends, and other guests share sentiments and wishes.
Guests:
Chatting and laughing, sipping cocktails, and raising their glasses. Now’s the time to capture as many of your guests as possible so that no one is missing from the wedding album!
Formal Table Shots:
You may want formal shots of selected tables.
Food & Drinks:
Perhaps you spent extra research and effort finding a special farm-to-table caterer or a local distillery. Get some of the plates and drinks photographed.
First Dance & Cutting of the Cake.
The first dance is a moment to be cherished. It marks the newlyweds' first dance together as husband and wife. After the first dance, the dance floor officially opens to guests, kicking off the celebration.
Later in the evening, the cake-cutting offers an opportunity for stylish and memorable photographs. The bride and groom stand together behind the cake and cut the first slice, representing the couple's commitment to sharing their lives together.
The Party.
The wedding after-party is when you finally let your hair down. The music is thriving, and the dance floor is packed with guests celebrating the newlyweds.
The bar is busy with people enjoying signature cocktails and toasting to the happy couple. There are plenty of delicious snacks and treats to nibble on, including a decadent cake that was cut earlier in the evening. Everyone is in good spirits and having a great time, sharing stories and laughing together.
The atmosphere is electric, and the party continues well into the night, creating unforgettable memories for all who attend.
Because of my background in fashion photography, I can’t help but photograph some of the guests’ outfits, and I catch as many good dancing shots as I can.
About Me.
Born in Sydney, raised in Paris, based in New York, I studied photography at Parsons School of Design and have worked in the fashion industry since 2011, representing celebrity fashion photographers at Art Partner and Walter Schupfer Management, scouting and casting fashion campaigns and films for Damian Bao Casting and contributing photography to renowned fashion magazines like Vogue Mexico & Latin America, Glamour and Document Journal.
More recently, while planning my own wedding, I discovered a passion for wedding photography. I’ve had the privilege of learning from esteemed mentors, including London-based Zach&Grace, New York’s Fred Marcus Studio, and California’s Kristin Piteo. My lens has graced iconic venues such as the Four Seasons Wailea in Maui, The Bowery Hotel & Cipriani’s 42nd Street in New York and the historic Eglise Saint-Sulpice in Paris. Creating beautiful memories fills me with joy and I’m committed to capturing life’s most cherished moments through my lens.
Portrait ©Zach&Grace