10 Must-Have Fun Photos For Your Wedding Party

 

Fun Bridal Party Photos

Wedding planning comes with many questions. What kind of food should you provide your guests? What band or DJ will you hire? What color and flavor of cake will you decide on? On and on the questions keep coming. One of the most important questions you'll want to ask yourself is, “what kind of photos do I want of my bridal party.” The bridal party photos can be some of the most fun and memorable photos that you will take at your wedding.

You have just spent the past handful of hours running through the wedding. The big day has arrived. Everyone stood still and quiet during the whole ceremony. Now, it's time to loosen up a bit. Sure, you'll probably want a few traditional photos with your bridal party (standing staggered on the stage, for example). However, get creative and fun as well. One really fun and interesting pose you and your bridesmaids can use is this: everyone stands in a line behind the bride, and then each person sticks their head out to the side, alternating between right and left. It produces a super-cool looking shot, and is quite fun to do as well.

Now, it's time for a shot for the guys. Go for a far-shot of all the groomsmen. Instead of having them stand side-by-side, have them spread out a bit. Get a good two to three foot gap between each groomsman. This gives the photo a wide-open feeling. It is a really unique and great looking picture. Another playful shot you can take (this applies to both bridesmaids and groomsmen), is to get their reactions to the bride/groom's wedding rings. Have them put their hands on their cheeks or excitedly in the air in response to looking at your ring.

Be sure to have fun with the photos. If you and your party are having fun then, in turn, that playful and amusing attitude will carry through to the pictures. Once the ceremony is over, it is time to celebrate! So, be sure to relax and enjoy the rest of your wedding and picture-taking escapades. 

Emotional and Beautiful Groom and Groomsmen Photographs

Weddings are magical. To be part of a couple's special day is an honor for a photographer. We often blush about the bride, the flowers, the cake and the ambiance of the reception.

As a photographer, my joy comes from capturing the people and the moments they share. One of the most important people that we like to capture is the groom.

It is common to encounter an emotional, blissful bride who can't wait to say her I-Do's. But what is equally as special is the emotion emanating from the groom, both tears and cheers!

The anticipation and excitement on a groom's face as his brides makes her way down the aisle is priceless. Here's a compiled list of ten favorite shots to capture a soon-to-be husband's emotion on the biggest day of his life. 

The Groom with groomsmen

 

 

 

The Guys Getting Ready

The Groom's expression as he watches his bride walk down the aisle

The "You may kiss your bride!" Kiss

 Groom dancing with his mother 
 

All of the guys together

The moment when the bride and groom enter their reception

First dance with the bride and groom

 

 

The happy couple as they leave their reception

 

 

 

As you start or finish your wedding day planning, we'd like to wish you good luck and best wishes! To learn more about must-have wedding photographs and our services, please feel free to contact us.

Professional Wedding Photography Etiquette

This is a time when all your dreams come true and of course, you want your wedding to be perfect. Wedding ideas are ever changing, but one of the most important, consistent, decisions to make is selecting your photographer.

As a couple, there are a few photography etiquette ideas you should know upfront and some ideas to think of ahead of time.

Creating the most well rounded wedding album is to include candid and posed shots. Photographers with photojournalism experience have established a repertoire of techniques for both.

Formal pictures are essential for wedding day photographer.  Formals are best left for the time before the ceremony, between ceremony and reception, during and after reception.

Planning a wedding on a tight budget is very possible. Just remember, if you choose a family friend or relative with no prior photography experience, the results could turn out to be less than what you intended.

It's your day, your pictures, your memories. By creating a detailed list of must-have pictures and what kinds of shots are your least favorite helps the photographer from intruding when you're having a good time.

Black and white photos are becoming very popular in today's wedding photography trends. However, the colorful shots capture so much beauty of the day. 

A few etiquette rules you can expect from a professional photographer.

A professional photographer is one who respects the couple's wishes. This also means arriving on time, equipped, treating bridal party and family with respect and being flexible.

Intruding on the couple by asking unnecessary questions is unacceptable. The majority of the details and specific shots will be planned ahead of time.

Weddings are formal where everyone in attendance is to dress accordingly including photographers and their assistant.

It's common for brides to get photographed while they are putting on their dress and this is one of those times when the photographer acts professionally and with decency.

Above all, a good photographer is one that acts with good judgment and upholds their character, which is what you can expect from Rick Dean Photography. 

The Benefits of Photo Wedding Favors

Current technology allows today's brides a wide array of options for fun photo favors. While traditional wedding favors are less costly, like small mints, personalized favors are a strong and sentimental way to say thank you to all of your guests. When your guests RSVP and you have a total of how many favors you have, that is a good time to decide.
Customizing each wedding favor to fit your relationship with that person could talk too much time, and it is sometimes expensive. Though the perfect way to show you care, if you have many guests it can be far too stressful.

Edible Favors

Some couples will give mints, candy, and even personalized cookies as a favor. While you can get these from a local bakery or candy shop, it might be better to use that part of your budget on tangible wedding favors. Your guests will be full of food, spirits, and cake, all the while dancing; chances are they wouldn't even eat the favors for a few days.

Photo Frames

Luckily, there are a few ways to show your guests that you appreciate their support without having to personalize each individual favor. Consider placing frames on the tables; your guests will love frames that contain photographs of the newlyweds. You can employ various frame styles and poses to create a variety from which your guests can select.

Charitable Favors

Instead of favors, if you and your new spouse feel strongly about a cause, you could make a donation. However, if you do this, tactfully explain about your gift to an organization by placing a decorative card on each table. Though this is a common practice, just remember, you're not giving your guests a keepsake from your special day.

Other Unique Ideas for Wedding Favors

The Benefits of Visiting Bridal Shows

Bridal shows are key in saving money at your wedding, obviously, because of your chances to win various packages from vendors. Inevitably, there are always a few huge prizes. Some of these prizes include honeymoon packages, wedding entertainment, and other services that would cut a very large bill out of the equation. I've seen brides win the wedding dress of their dreams, others have won a free venue, and the list goes on!

In addition to all of the prizes, a bridal show is your chance to meet with various vendors and interview the staff. Building rapport with the people you need for you wedding will help you make a clear decision on who is the best for you. This minimizes the risk of hiring someone subpar, especially since bridal shows only invite quality vendors most of the time.

Vendors will pamper you as well, free food, make overs, free drinks, and fun photo-booth sessions fill the halls of many bridal shows. The coordinators often hold these events in hotels, casinos, and other places with ubiquitous excitement and fun.

For Upcoming Local Bridal Shows, Visit The Links Below!

 

• A Wonderful Wedding
• South Carolina Wedding Planning - WedAlert.com
• Elite Events

Three Ways a Photographer Can Ruin a Wedding

When you begin looking at vendors for the various parts of your wedding, you start looking for services that you've never needed before. You will most likely have to hire companies and professionals that you know little about. This situation can put a couple at a severe disadvantage, unless they do thorough research.

For example, the entertainment at your wedding and the photography are two huge components, and they could ruin everything if executed poorly. I have been photographing weddings for a long time, and with many happy couples, I will share a few tips. Asking vendors the right questions, will help you pick a photographer that you’re confident will NOT ruin your wedding.

When it comes to wedding photos you must be confident that the photographer you hired will work in synergy with you, if not it could ruin the wedding and even worse, the photos.

Etiquette Manner and Behavior

Obviously, your wedding photographer must be polite to your guests, it goes without saying. Some photographers prefer that your guests refrain from taking their own photos, and others do not. Simply ask the photographer for his or her opinion on the matter, and make your decision accordingly. In any event, your wedding photographer should never yell at your guests, but it has happened in the past.

Waiting Over a Year for Photo Albums

Couples should expect a decent waiting period for their wedding album; however, some have waited up to eighteen months for their photos, which is unacceptable. Ask you photographer the usual turnaround time, and make an agreement upon the terms of a due-date.

Photographers, Cameras, and Guests

Of course you want spectacular photos with tear inducing scenes, and photographers like myself know how to execute these perfectly. Sometimes, we have an extra set of eyes with us to try to catch perfect moments as they happen. Inexperienced photographers often disrupt the guests when attempting this elusive move. Overly aggressive photographers can aggravate your guests by being in their face too much, especially those in the wedding party. 

When you ask potential photographers how they like to work, a good answer would explain that he or she likes to stay out of the way for majority of the time, but will interact with guests throughout the night for close-up and entertaining reception shots. This shows that your photographer knows to use each tactic in moderation, to blend in with the surroundings of the wedding.

If your photographer answers, saying that he likes to stay out of the way and hide, that may not be great either. Lurking in the shadows could creep out your guests, while the couple will want to see some confidence and humor.

If you ask the right questions, and you know what to expect, you can develop a close and friendly relationship with your photographer. Feeling confident and comfortable will make it easier to explain if you want your photographer to do something different from the norm.

Multi-color Wedding Photos & Themes

Most weddings consist of a two to three color pallet. I've seen more than a few weddings, and one of my favorite color schemes is one that includes more than the average. The peacock-wedding theme is vibrant, unique, and surprisingly easy! The pictures turn out phenomenal, and bridesmaids love the sense of individuality they get to have. 

The Peacock Color Theme

Photo Courtesy of http://4.bp.blogspot.com

 This pallet consists of three main wedding colors: emerald, purple, and royal blue. Think of all colors in a peacock tail though; include the turquoise and the yellowy golds.

So, how can you execute this theme to look exotic and vibrant, not confusing and busy? The trick is having consistency throughout the wedding. For example, if your napkins vary in color, then refrain from doing the same with tablecloths.
 

Guest Tables

A great idea is to keep the tablecloths uniform, consider gold or emerald tablecloths with contrasting napkins and stemware. Consider peacock feathers in vases for the centerpieces

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bridesmaids set the theme, with varying dresses. Ideally, this is where you mix things up, because your bridesmaids will kill it in whatever you ask them to wear! Traditionally bridesmaids have the same color, with sometimes a different cut. To put a unique spin on your theme, keep your bridesmaids in the same style dress, but assign them each a “peacock” color. That will be her theme for the night. Their jewelry and bouquets should match their dress color as well.

Head Table

When most people think peacock, they think purple, green, and blue. You may include various peacock décor through the night, but your head table should consist of these three colors.