A wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, laughter, and moments that will never come again.
While the ceremony is the heart of the celebration, it’s often the smaller moments — before, during, and after — that truly tell the full story of the day. As a wedding photographer, it’s essential for me to capture everything that leads up to the altar and then the moments that follow in order magically illustrate a well-rounded visual narrative.
Here’s how we tell an entire wedding story.
1. The Getting Ready: Setting the Stage
The hours leading up to the ceremony are full of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. Capturing the getting-ready process gives us the opportunity to document the subtle beauty and emotion of these early moments.
We start with photographing the small things that set the tone: the wedding dress hanging by the window, the shoes waiting to be worn along with the rings and invitation suite placed on a beautiful countertop. These quiet, intricate details help build our narrative of the day.
Whether it's a bride slipping into her gown with her mother’s assistance or a groom adjusting his bowtie while sharing a quiet laugh with his best man, these moments of connection provide the perfect emotional foundation. We love capturing candid shots of the bride and groom preparing separately — with friends, family, or alone — to help illustrate the anticipation and emotion leading up to the big event.
2. Capturing the First Look: A Moment for just YOU TWO
While some couples choose to save their first glance for the aisle, I will always strongly suggest to include time for an intimate moment of a
"First Look" before the ceremony.
This intimate exchange is a photographer’s dream, a perfect mix of raw emotion and anticipation.
Capturing the groom waiting for his bride’s approach, eyes filled with excitement, is a moment of pure emotion. When the bride taps him on the shoulder or steps into view, the look on his face is priceless. This can be a quiet moment of connection before the public vows, making it a memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.
From capturing the emotions, to documenting the surrounding moments — the hands reaching for each other, the soft laughter, or the tears.
The environment — whether it's a sunlit garden or a cozy indoor setting — plays a big role in setting the mood for these shots.
3. The Ceremony: The Heart of the Day
Yes, the ceremony is the central moment of the wedding day, and it’s essential for me to capture the vows, the ring exchange, and the first kiss.
But I make sure not to just focus on the obvious. We look for candid reactions from the guests.
These details give depth to the moment and tell a fuller story.
We make sure to photograph the expressions of your family members as they witness your union. Capture the way the bride’s father watches his daughter as she walks down the aisle, or the way the groom’s face lights up when he sees his bride walking towards him.
These small but meaningful interactions are just as important as the vows themselves.
4. preserving the excitement from your "I Do's"
The moments immediately after you say "I Do" are some of the most emotionally charged of your entire wedding day. The joy, relief, and pure excitement of becoming newlyweds make for truly unforgettable memories. Preserving these fleeting minutes through photos—whether it's the intimate glance between the bride and groom or the raw emotion shared between you both—captures the essence of the day in its most authentic form. These images become cherished keepsakes, reflecting the excitement and love that will carry you through the years to come. It's the perfect way to relive that initial rush of happiness every time you look back at your wedding photos.
5. preserving moments with your wedding party
Before heading to the reception, we leverage the excitement of your 'I Do's' to kick off the celebration, surrounded by your closest friends and family - your wedding party. Capturing your wedding party in these moments adds a personal touch that makes your day even more memorable. With the busyness of the day, it's easy to miss moments shared among your entourage. From candid photos to poised poses, the time between the ceremony and reception is the perfect opportunity to get the group shots.
The reception is where your personalities really shine. The table settings, floral arrangements, and creative touches
(like a custom wedding cake) set the atmosphere for your celebration.
Capturing these details are important, as they reflect the your style and help tell the story of your wedding day.
The first dance is an iconic moment, but it’s the candid shots of guests on the dance floor that can truly bring the story to life. From the laughter of children twirling to the proud smiles of grandparents, these photos reveal the joy and togetherness of the day.
7. Candid Shots & Family Bonds
A wedding is not just about the couple — it's also about the people who surround them. Your guests play an important role in the story of the day.
Throughout the day, we aim to capture natural and unposed interactions. Guests laughing, children playing, or a heartfelt conversation between old friends — these candid moments weave a rich narrative that goes beyond just the bride and groom.
It's the photographs of family members and friends sharing a moment together that add depth to the wedding album and reflect the love and support that surrounds you. So we ensure to capture as many of these candid moments as possible.
Conclusion
A wedding day is filled with so many moments — big and small — and it's important for us to capture a little bit of everything. By focusing on the full spectrum of the wedding experience, not just the ceremony, we craft a deeper, more meaningful narrative that beautifully encapsulates
the love, joy, and emotion of your love and love from everyone around you.
As the photographer, I'm not just a witness — I'm the storyteller, capturing every chapter of your wedding day.
