The food gets eaten, the flowers fade, the friends go home, but there’s one thing you’ll have with you long after the wedding day has come and gone – your pictures. Bridal portraits to hang on the wall, special albums to set out on the coffee table and digital images to share on social media are so important for bridal couples because it’s a way to look back and remember all the special moments of the day. Especially when it can feel like everything goes by in a blur thanks to all the adrenaline and excitement you’re experiencing the day of the event.
At Legacy Stables and Events, we know how important it is to get great photographs of your wedding day, from the bridal party arriving at the Legacy House for preparations to the candid shots of guests enjoying dessert and a conversation after the bride and groom have been sent off with all the fanfare. Here are a few tips to ensure you get photographs you’re in love with, that will help you look back on and remember the special times of the day for years to come.
- Find the Right Photographer. The first step is choosing a photographer. You’ll want to spend some time doing research into what styles of photography are available and what photographers do the type of work you like. Check out this blog for more information on the different styles of wedding photography.
- Communicate with your Photographer. It’s important to meet with the photographer early on to go over your wishes and get to know their packages and what they offer. We have a list of area photographers who are familiar with Legacy Stables and Events, which helps in understanding the lighting and setting to get great pictures of the bridal party on the day of the event. It’s also important to feel comfortable communicating with the photographer leading up to and during the event. If you have good rapport, you’ll be more likely to get the pictures you want, and also you’ll feel more comfortable in the poses.
- Make a List Before the Big Day. Wedding preparation is full of lists, and the shot list is one of the more important ones. You don’t want to come back from your honeymoon and realize you never got a picture of yourself with all your sorority sisters or you missed the opportunity to get all the cousins in one photo at an event besides a family reunion. Think about the family and group photos that will be must-haves the day of the wedding. Also, write down the types of candid shots you’re looking for, and important “moments” you want captured. Most photographers will know the big moments of the wedding, and will go over with you ahead of time the photo ops that rise to the top:
- First look
- First dance
- Cutting the cake
- Tossing the bouquet
- Assign a Photo Assistant. It will help things run more smoothly the day of the event if you have someone picked ahead of time to work with the photographer to get people together when it’s time for group photos. Make sure it’s someone familiar with friends and family of both the bride and groom, if possible.
- Trust the Photographer’s Expertise. While you might have very specific ideas of what you want in your wedding photography, there are certain things that should be left to the experts. One of those is the time of day and light availability. For example, if you’ve chosen a winter wedding when the sun sets early, your photographer might suggest taking outdoor pictures before the ceremony to take advantage of the natural light. Also, be open to the photographer’s suggestions as far as poses. Things might not seem natural in the moment, but the photographer has much more experience in knowing how the final result turns out. You might even ask for some of the poses ahead of time, to practice so you feel more at ease on the big day.
At Legacy Stables and Events, we’re here to help make sure your wedding is everything you ever dreamed of. We can share a recommended list of local photographers who are familiar with the estate to help get you started on the search for the right photographer for your event.
Photo Credit: @karensalinasphotography
