Storybook wedding photography is a popular choice with couples who want to record the story of their big day in stunning and meaningful pictures. The increased popularity of reportage photography can really bring a storybook album to life, but feature shots and group photos can also be used to complete the story.
Here are some of the reportage and feature shots to include in your storybook wedding album alongside the formal group photos:
Pre wedding photos
As the bride you will want some photos taken when you are getting ready before the wedding. You could have photos of your hair and makeup being done, your dress being done up, and your veil being placed on your head. You might also want photos of your dress hanging up and ready to go, your wedding shoes and your bouquet as well as a close up or back view of your finished hairstyle.
The hour before the wedding is an ideal time to have photographs taken with your maid of honour, your bridesmaids, and your parents. You can also have the bridesmaids’ photos taken individually, especially if you have young bridesmaids that may get restless by the end of the ceremony. Make sure you have some pictures of you and your father getting into the wedding car.
Ceremony photos
A wedding ceremony is full of poignant moments to capture on film. Before the ceremony starts you may want some pictures of the inside and outside of the wedding venue, and some reportage shots of the guests arriving. Make sure there are some photos of the groom and best man waiting for your arrival, and their reaction as you arrive at the ceremony.
You will want some photos of your procession down the aisle, your father passing you over to your groom, and the rest of the bridal party following you down the aisle. Essential ceremony photos include the reciting of the vows and the exchange of rings, the moment you are pronounced man and wife, and your first kiss as a married couple.
Finally you will want photos of signing the register, your recessional, the two of you outside the venue, your guests leaving the ceremony, guests throwing confetti or blowing wedding bubbles, and you and your new husband with the wedding car.
Reception photos
You will have spent plenty of time decorating your reception venue so make sure your photographer gets a shot of it looking its best before your guests start to make a mess. Feature shots to include in your storybook album include the table settings and centrepieces, the bomboniere, the top table, the seating plan, and the wedding cake.
Ask your photographer to take some pictures of your arrival at the venue, your guests mingling during the initial drinks reception, your receiving line if you are having one, and your guests as they are getting seated for dinner. You will want plenty of photos during the speeches, both of the person making the wedding speech and your reaction to their words.
Other parts of the reception that will produce fun storybook photos include the cutting of the cake, the first dance, the throwing of the bouquet or garter toss, and your big exit from the reception if you are choosing to make one.
