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Taking photographs on your wedding day is one of the best ways to ensure the memories will last you a lifetime. While some of the most stunning wedding photos feature candid and celebratory moments between the couple, the ceremony wouldn’t be complete without the bridesmaids and groomsmen. More than siblings and friends, they’re lifelong companions who also deserve to look their best as they share joy and love on your special day. That said, here are some helpful tips for taking the perfect bridal party photos and ensuring a picture-perfect wedding.
Plan the shots in advance
Don’t just wing it; have poses and angles in mind before your big day! This means going beyond the standard group shot where the couple is at the center, and everybody’s facing the camera. Besides the usual staged scenes, try to take creative photos by shooting from a bird’s eye view or capturing natural moments from your bridal party. In terms of the arrangement, you can also diversify the shots by alternating bridesmaids and groomsmen or mixing up the sitting and standing positions as though you were taking photos for a magazine editorial.
Coordinate your looks
Since you’ll be taking several group shots, it's important that the bridal party has a cohesive look. When choosing bridesmaids' dresses, you can opt for matching styles or different gowns but with the same color palette. The color spectrum of groomsmen's suits should also coordinate well with the dresses. But aiming for harmony must include accessories, too. You may want to incorporate sunglasses as eyewear for an outdoor wedding or to simply add fun and personality to your photos. So, it helps to choose the right frame style and design that aligns with your theme, like Disclosure metal sunglasses in earthy tones to match a rustic wedding or clear Safari frames in bold colors like yellow and blue for something a little more fun. Other accessories to mix and match include watches, cufflinks, and pieces of jewelry.
Experiment with locations
Aside from playing around with poses and positions, feel free to experiment with locations and backgrounds. A clean and minimalistic backdrop may be your go-to, but maximize your chosen wedding venue to create visual depth and narratives with your shots. If you want your photos to give off a fancy, upscale feel, make the most of hotel staircases and lounges. Those who want a more carefree, youthful atmosphere can benefit from walking around outdoor settings like gardens and pathways.
Document interactions
It also helps to think of your wedding as a story, where each small moment with members of the bridal party culminates into the climax of the ceremony. These moments can be the bridesmaids fixing the bride's dress as she gets ready or the groomsmen helping each other with their bowties. For this photojournalistic approach, many renowned wedding photographers like Jose Villa shoot exclusively on film cameras like Contax 645 for more organic and authentic results. However, even if your chosen photographer uses the digital format, candid photos can still be edited to recreate the artistic look of film photography.
Don’t forget portraits
Lastly, dedicating time to creating portraits can help break the monotony of full-frame group shots. Capturing faces up close can help portray the range of emotions the members of the bridal party feel, from love and tenderness to excitement and joy. Since portrait photography requires a distinct set of skills from other styles like landscapes and group shots, make sure to choose a wedding photographer with a versatile and quality portfolio.
Overall, there are no hard and fast rules for wedding photography. Despite all the planning and preparation, remember to savor every moment with your partner and the rest of the bridal party. To make sure every loved one looks and feels their best on your wedding day, Michelle's Bridal and Tuxedo curates collections of dresses, tuxedos, and accessories for couples and bridal parties. Explore the website and contact us if you wish to learn more about our wedding services.