Our Favorite Wedding Day Moments to Photograph

Over the past few weeks, we’ve met with a lot of new couples. Our weekends have been packed with consultations, and during one of these meetings, we were asked “what’s your favorite part of a wedding to photograph?” We loved this question. It proved to be too difficult to choose just one part of the day, but after coming home and giving it some thought, we have decided on our own, personal top 3 favorite moments of a wedding day. There are so many to choose from, but these stand out to us as our favorite moments to photograph. Pretty flowers, table settings, engagement rings on calligraphy, stationary suites, perfectly placed shoes, and so on… those are very pretty but they don’t give us much joy. It’s the energy in the room, the emotion, the anticipation, the pauses in the quiet… those are the things we love to photograph the most.

 

Maggie’s Favorites

The Transformation – It happens every time. The image of a Bride on her wedding day, filled with anticipation, excitement, and sometimes a quiet stillness, is one moment Maggie looks for each and every wedding day. After the dress is on, the buttons are just right, the shoes fit, the veil is fastened and then it hits her. Today is her wedding day, and right now, right in this moment she has become the Bride. This moment looks different on everyone. Laughter surrounded by Bridesmaids, a quiet smile to herself during bridal portraits… and you just know it’s hit her. Oh what a moment this is to find! We just love it.

The Big Reveal – Whether it’s during a private and romantic first look, or as the doors to the church swing open… the big moment when our couples see each other for the first time on their wedding day is always such an important one to photograph. It’s probably the most iconic moment of a wedding day, and for sure it’s one of the most romantic. Behind our cameras we wait, holding our breath just like everyone else, to see how this moment will play out. It never disappoints.

The Realization – After the ceremony, in between everything that’s going on around them, there is a very big moment that can easily go unnoticed… if you aren’t watching for it. Sometimes this happens right after the first kiss, sometimes when they make their exit down the aisle of smiling faces, sometimes standing in the pouring rain, sometimes during the first dance, and sometimes (usually) it happens when the couple finally has a moment to themselves much later in the day. They’ll look at each other and it hits them. They’re married! More often than not someone will actually say out loud “we’re married!” and the two look at each other laughing, smiling, embracing with joy. We always sneak our couples away for a sunset session, whenever we can. This time for golden light portraits is a huge part of what we do, but it is also our little way of giving them the time to enjoy some privacy and quietness together. It’s during these portraits that we’ll look for that moment. It’s incredible.

Betty’s Favorites

The Anticipation – As Brides are transforming, their patient Grooms are waiting for the day to begin. Grooms get to roll out of bed, shower, and put on a suite. This takes maybe an hour. While for the ladies, hair and makeup and sewing ourselves into dresses can take up an entire morning. The guys tend to run out of things to do, and this somewhat nervous energy can creep up on them. Just before it’s time for Betty to take the Groom to the first look, or to the church, she likes to steal the Groom away for a little moment to himself. Give him a minute. Let him breathe, straighten his tie, and emotionally prepare himself for the amazing moments ahead. It’s here that we get to really see him.

The Letting Go – The parent dances? That’s when one of us is crying. Every. Time. Just like that moment when a couple realizes they’re married, there’s a point in the day when a parent realizes it’s time to truly let go, even if only enough to make room in their child’s lives for their spouse. It’s a tough one, but it’s a good one, and it’s always full of love. There are happy tears, yes, but there is always so much joy.

The Celebration – When it’s all said and done, and when the details don’t matter much anymore because everyone is just so darn happy… that’s when the party starts! That’s when couples get to celebrate and enjoy their reception with their favorite people. The biggest moment of all, is when that happy couple comes through the doors to the sound of joyful cheers, hoots & hollers, clapping and the occasional whistle. We can’t help but get a frog in our throat at this moment, because goodness! This is what it’s all about! These people may never all be in the same room together again, and here they are, right now, all feeling the same thing for these two people. This is what joy looks like.