cityweddingguide.com

We’ve all seen a traditional wedding photo blown up, framed and hung above the fireplace. Typically it’s a shot of the entire wedding party, groomsmen next to the groom and bridesmaids next to the bride with the flower girl and ring bearer tucked somewhere under a firm grasp.

Or maybe you’ve seen a mantle adorned with the photo of two glowing faces, posing perfectly
under a tree, near a pond, or precariously close to a fountain.

The traditional wedding photo can be quite beautiful, but what does it say about the newly espoused couple? They’re traditional? They like trees, ponds and fountains?

You must certainly have more to share than that.

Before your big day rolls around, talk to your photographer about what you want to express through your wedding pics.
Encourage him or her to take tons of candid shots. Photos are most emotional when the subjects aren’t posing or really even aware they’re being photographed. If you’re a planner, (OK, obviously
you’re a planner); consider some of these fun and creative photo ideas:

Props
• Bride and Groom wearing their coolest, funkiest pair of shades
• Wear fake mustaches, pass them around to your guests to enjoy
• Don fun hats like fedoras, sombreros, Western, baseball caps or crowns
• Share a chocolate milkshake or heaping pile of French fries (substitute with your faves)

Activities
• Skip (carefully, or barefoot) through a grassy yard
• Sing karaoke
• Ride bicycles
• Climb over fences or up a tree
• Take a tequila shot together
• Hike up your dress and play a game of Texas Hold ’em

Places you love
• Your local farmer’s market
• Your garden
• The tennis court, golf course or diving board
• Your local haunts: a café or greasy spoon diner

Non-traditional poses
• Recline on a blanket spread out in the grass
• Lift your dress to expose your gorgeous shoes
• Have the groom lift his pant legs to expose his quirky argyle socks
• Stand on something: a rock wall, a roof or chairs
• Stand in something: a fountain, a wheelbarrow or a classic convertible
• Walk down a busy sidewalk, surrounded by regular people in regular clothes
• Hold a large, empty frame around your faces and laugh
• Bride or Groom (or both) look directly into the camera while the wedding party mingles, talks and primps in the background

Whatever you decide, make sure it expresses you and your Groom as individuals and as a
couple. But don’t forget your guests. Some of the best shots are of friends and family genuinely
enjoying your day -- dancing, laughing, singing, eating, drinking and celebrating.