A wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Many couples depend upon the photos to remember the day since the wedding and reception go by quickly and they cannot pay attention to every detail. Rather than have the typical, posed wedding photos, there are many wonderful, unique photo ideas to make a wedding album pop and be a true memory and keepsake.
Have plenty of photos taken of inanimate objects. To show the changing of life, a picture of the wedding gown alone next to the everyday shoes makes a nice and unique shot. Another idea is to have pictures taken of the reception tables or ceremony being taken set up with the props half put-out. Wedding photos of the bridal party getting ready and full of anticipation will help the bride remember the joy in years to come.
Do not forget that the parents of the bride and groom are part of the bridal party. During the ceremony as the you exchange vows, have the photographer take pictures of the parents. This is an emotional and stirring time for them and it is great memory to see what they are experiencing as their children grow up to start a life of their own.
Have as many wedding photos as possible taken in different, unusual areas. Instead of taking pictures inside the church, try taking them outside or in the hallways. Take advantage of as many natural backdrops as possible. If there is a tree with low branches, get member of the wedding party (after the wedding) sitting in it. If the reception takes place on a boat, get the bridal party with the steering wheel. If there is a playground nearby, get a picture of the groom pushing the bride on a swing.
When taking the traditional wedding photos of the bridal party, do not line up. Sit down outside the church or close in on the steps in front of the alter in a small group. By having photos that are less posed, they will come out more natural and fun looking. Instead of having the bridal party facing forward, have the bridal party look at each other, or the bride and groom. Don’t forget to pictures of the back of the bridal party. There is usually a lot of detail and time spent on the back of dresses and the girls‘ hair; it would be a pity to not preserve it.
Purchase disposable cameras for your guests to use and place them on tables. Also arm each member of the bridal party with a camera. Since the photographer you hire will be busy with the more traditional shots and can only get limited candid shots, this will give you wonderful pictures of the guests enjoying themselves. For an interesting twist, be sure to put mix in some cameras with black and white film.
Set up a photo booth at your reception where groups can go in and pose. Most of the time you will get spontaneous poses that reveal your friends and families personalities. This is a great way to remember the groups that come to your wedding, such as coworkers or friends from college.
As the bridal party prepares to leave, have the photographer take some long distance shots from the back. This gives the idea that there is a long road ahead and of wonderful things to come.
Don’t end the wedding photos with the departure of the bride and groom. Have the wedding photographer take pictures of the empty reception hall once it is empty and of the clean up. This will remind you that the wedding was just an event, but it is the marriage that counts.
