When you think about the photos you want captured for your wedding day, what comes to mind? This is a question I frequently ask my brides during their consultation call. As a Documentary Wedding Photographer, it’s important for me to understand how they want their wedding photographed. I’m won’t just show up and start taking photos that don’t incorporate your story. This is your wedding day, not just any day. So I’ve complied the 5 must have wedding day moments you’ll regret not capturing into this blog. I also encourage you to share in the comments below what your must have moment(s) could be.

Let’s get to it!

1. Getting Ready with your mom

This is by far the most profound photography moment you will have with your mom. Having your mom with you during the pre-wedding getting ready time creates intimate and emotional filled imagery you will look back on for years to come. Don’t just settle for family formal photos, instead take a few moments to have your mom help you into your dress, hug you, kiss your cheek and just emoting over you.

Things to keep in mind when your photographer captures these:

1. If your getting ready with your bridesmaid’s, consider having them step out of the bridal room so you and your mom can have a private moment.
2. If your bridal room has a full length mirror consider stepping in front of it to have your photogarpher capture a glimpse of your face(s).
3. You don’t have to fake anything here, capturing raw emotion during this time with your mom is all part of the story.

2. First Look with your dad

If you and your fiancé opted out of a first look, consider keeping the first look with your dad. Like getting ready with your mom, a first look with your dad can be incredibly impactful. The photos captured at this time are truly more emotional then the ceremony. This is also a great opportunity to spend some extra time with your dad as you may not get much throughout the day other then your father and daughter dance.

Things to keep in mind when your photographer captures these:

1. Consider doing these photos in a secluded spot at the venue away from prying eyes and distractions.
2. bring some tissues for your dad, he will cry!
3. keep these photos candid and make sure your photographer keeps snaping away as you both just soak in this special moment.

3. Guest Photos during the ceremony

Don’t let your photographer skip your guests reactions during the ceremony. If your love the heartfelt, emotive and documentary style wedding photography, this is a significant moment during your day to capture your guests who have come near and far to celebrate with you both. Your ceremony is a time to not only photograph angles and straight on images of you both at the alter, but your mom and dad tearing up, holding hands, and just taking in this beautiful moment.

Things to keep in mind when your photographer captures these:

1. Make sure you talk with your photographer about where he/she will be throughout the ceremony so they can capture the raw emotion of your family.
2. Make sure that your photographer focuses most on both your families in the front row and just an overview of all other guests.
3. If you plan on having a ring blessing, make sure your photographer knows to document this as well.

4. Alone time with your partner

What do I mean by alone time with your partner? This isn’t time spent during the first look or even those gold hour bride and groom photos. I’m talking about time right after the ceremony where you both just sneak off to be alone and I simply capture candid, fly on the wall moments of you two soaking in the minutes after just saying I do and walking down the aisle together as newlyweds.

Things to keep in mind when your photographer captures these:

1. Choose a location at the venue that your can be alone and sit together.
2. Have your meal together first before your guests bombard you.
3. Take 15-20 minutes for this, you won’t regret this time as you may spend the rest of the day dividing and conquering chatting with guests.

5. Candid moments with your guests

Ok, If you made it this far, thank you for sticking around. I truly hope so far you found the first 4 must have’s impactful and you consider them for your wedding day!

Your wedding reception is my favorite time as a Documentary Wedding Photographer to capture all the candid moments with your guests because there is rarely any posed moments. Your guests are just as important to remember.

Things to keep in mind when your photographer captures these:

1. Don’t worry to much about posing or even looking perfect, this is about capturing the raw unposed moments.
2. If there are certain guests you want photos with that you didn’t get during your family formal photos, make sure you get them during the reception.

Spokane Washington Documentary Wedding Photographer

Looking for a Documentary Wedding Photographer is Spokane or beyond? I am here to know you and create wedding photographer for your wedding that tells a story. Let’s take a brief moment to chat over a video call so we can not only meet each other but also get to know what you are most looking to document for your wedding! Inquire here for more details I look forward to meeting you!