Element Design x Gabriella Marie Photography
We love our vendor partners, and it has been a pleasure to work with them and build a community of women in the wedding industry. For this week’s post, we wanted to give photographer Gabriella Marie an opportunity to share some of her best tips and tricks to get the perfect wedding photos possible. Gabriella has created a helpful guide, from the perspective of a professional photographer, for our clients to peruse as you plan out your big day.
Be sure to follow Gabriella Maria on Instagram to see her gorgeous work, and if you’re local to PA, be sure to check her out!
7 Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You to Know
It’s almost your big day, you’re getting ready to have one of the most special, most emotional, most remarkable days of your life. There are so many beautiful moments that will happen, and your wedding photographer wants as many of those moments in your photo gallery as possible (just like you)!
Here are just a few things your photographer wants you to know. 👇🏼
Include Private Vows or Letters into your First Look
A first look isn’t just about seeing each other—it can also be a beautiful, private opportunity to exchange vows or letters. This setting allows you to fully absorb each other’s words without the pressure of standing in front of your guests. If speaking personal vows in front of a crowd makes you nervous, private vows might be the perfect solution. There are several ways to incorporate them into your day:
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Read your vows during a first look, then repeat them during the ceremony.
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Exchange personal vows privately, while saying traditional vows at the ceremony.
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Split your vows into two parts, with an intimate version shared privately and a simpler version read in front of guests.
Don’t forget to look up!
As you take that unforgettable walk down the aisle, resist the urge to look down at the ground. It can feel a little (or a lot!) overwhelming when so many eyes are on you, but if you look down for too long all of your photos will be of you staring at the ground. Instead, lock eyes with your partner and let the world (and all of your guests) fade away. It might sound simple, but this ensures your photos capture the love and connection you share in that magical moment.
Savor the Smooch!
Your first kiss as a married couple is a monumental life moment. Don’t rush past it! Yes, a long smooch in front of all your loved ones may feel awkward for more introverted couples – but take the time to soak it in! You’re married!! You did it!!! That’s what this kiss means. It not only adds a lovely connection between you and your partner, but also gives your photographer the opportunity to capture one of the most special moments of the day, the one that marks the beginning of your journey as a married couple.
Back Down the Aisle, Seal it with a Kiss!
As you joyfully recess down the aisle as a married couple, why not take a moment to bask in the limelight as all your loved ones cheer you on and seal the deal with another kiss? Your guests will love it, and your photographer will have the opportunity to capture the pure joy and love radiating through you and all of your best people. It’s a fun and spontaneous moment that will make for unforgettable photos!
Practice your first dance, even if it’s not choreographed!
Make sure you practice your first dance in the shoes and clothes you’ll be wearing!! If you’re hiding your wedding day outfit, you can wear something similar. But make sure you are able to do everything you want to do – spins, dips, lifts, etc. – in the shoes you want to do them in and the clothes you want to do them in. Because formal attire like suit coats and dresses are usually more restrictive than everyday clothes! One bride I talked to had a really poofy dress, so she wore a comforter tied around her waist with a belt to practice spinning around. Come wedding day, she was a pro!!
Planning a formal exit? Do this too!
The sparklers, the champagne toasts, the getaway car – formal exits can be such a glamorous end to an amazing wedding day. If you’re considering a spectacular send-off then you might want to consider adding a private last dance! A private last dance gives you a chance to be fully present with each other after a very busy & emotion-filled day, and is extra special if you’re not doing a first look. It pairs well with a formal exit for logistical reasons, too! While you two are swaying to one of your favorite songs, your coordinator is lining your guests up for your grand exit so they are ready to go when you are. It’s a win-win all around!
Frame Your Bouquet!!!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen floral bouquets prettier than the ones brides have on wedding days. Bridal bouquets are so special because you get to trust a florist with your design vision, your favorite flowers or colors, and be surprised with a gorgeous bouquet that you get to have … for one day. Why not preserve that bouquet made specifically for you by having it pressed and framed so you can hang it up in your house for years and years to come?! There are very few tangible things that last past your wedding day (besides your marriage): your wedding photos/videos, your wedding dress and - only if it’s preserved - your bouquet. Plus, it pairs perfectly in a gallery wall filled with framed photos from your wedding day 🙂
Keep these tips in mind, and you’re sure to have photos that truly reflect the beauty and love of your big day! I hope you found this helpful, and if you’d like more information, check out my blog posts about 8 ways to include loved ones in your wedding day and 9 tips to have the best engagement photoshoot ever.
Hi hi!! I'm Gabriella, your newest hype gal and ~fun~ Philadelphia wedding photographer! I started photographing weddings in 2020 after graduating from UGA (Go Dawgs!!) with a degree in photojournalism and INSTANTLY fell in love with documenting the joy couples experience on their wedding day. My favorite moments to photograph are when couples look at each other unprompted and you can just FEEL the love between them. And these couples are never models - I'm an expert at helping couples feel like themselves in front of the camera. 🙌🏼 Outside of photographing weddings, I love being outside, running with friends, spoiling my dog, crying at rom coms and cooking dinner with my boyfriend. I may or may not be a coffee snob 🫣 and my favorite pastime is chasing sunsets. If you ever want to talk about running, triathlons or Goldendoodles, hit a girl UP for a fun coffee chat 🥰
TikTok: @gabriellamarieaudi
Website: www.gabriellamariephotography.com
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