Ceremony

This one is all you, hunni. As soon as your first bridesmaid starts her walk, there’s absolutely no direction or adjustments coming from me! But… that doesn’t mean I can’t provide my expertise as to how to have super cute, purely candid ceremony shots! Take consideration of where and when your ceremony will be taking place! Ideally, you’ll have the sun behind or to the side, so it’s not beaming directly on your faces for photos!

If you live in the 21st century or have attended a wedding before, you’ve heard of an unplugged wedding! I still suggest this. Nothing ruins a perfectly placed ceremony first-kiss photo then Karen and her fucking 19th century iPad popping up in the corner.

When you and your bridal party are walking UP the aisle -- please walk slow and remember to SMILE. This may be a no brainer but literally no one smiles while walking up the aisle! I find they’re looking down or focusing on their walking! It’s important to hold your bouquets at your belly button, rather your chest. You’ll totally look topless in your aisle photos if your big bouquet is covering the top half of your dress - especially if it’s strapless!!

OMG. THIS ONE. During your rehearsal, PLEASE, PLEASE ensure that you’re standing in the MIDDLE of your arch/alter!! If you’re not centre with your alter, it’ll be very obvious and distracting. If it’s absolutely necessary, mark that shit with a taped X.

Ask your maid of honour to nicely lay out your train once you’re standing in position! This will the best time to show it off! After she does this, she can take your bouquet :)

This one may be something you can’t avoid, but it’s always worth suggesting! Ask your officiant if they’d mind standing off to the site {shout out to Keith from Exceptional Ceremonies!}, so they are not a distraction behind you. I understand they may not want to do this for the entire reading but they may be willing to step to side for at least your kiss. Make sure they announce your kiss AFTER they have adjusted themselves, or you’ll be kissing as they’re scrambling to get out of the way! When you do kiss, GO FOR IT. Just wrap your arms around each other, have your partner give you a dip or put your hands around the back of their head! Practice in front of the mirror beforehand! A millisecond-did they even kiss- kiss will be a boring photograph ;)

When you walk down the aisle, take your time, or do that holy shit we’re married run! I don’t care! Just have fun, SMILE, and cozy up to each other! Bonus points if you stop halfway down the aisle for another kiss!

Consider giving your guests a job! My absolute FAVOURITE ceremony shot is when the guests are throwing white pedals as the newlyweds are walking down the aisle! Some couples do bubbles but typically the bubbles haven’t gotten to the centre of the aisle by the time you’re walking past. If you do confetti, it’ll be all over your hair, which is not convenient for the family photos that are about to follow! Putting a tin pail of white petals at the end of each row and having your officiant announce to be prepared to throw, will give you a romantic exit shot!