Emotional Wedding Moments to Capture and Plan For

While it’s happening, the wedding day is bound to be hectic and stressful. So many traditions to observe, so many people to please, all while trying to savor the moment you and your partner start a new life together.

The day is filled with moments worth treasuring. You may not be able to enjoy them fully while they happen. Make sure that there are people there that can capture them for you, so you can enjoy your most special day for years to come.

Here are some of the most important moments, locations, and details to make sure your photographer captures during your big day.

The Preparation

Getting ready is a special ritual for a woman, most of all on her wedding day. The first donning of the dress is a moment that will have you and your loved ones tear up for the rest of your lives. Make sure there’s a photographer there to capture it.

The old adage states that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony. The bride is supposed to be so beautiful and radiant when she’s in full regalia that the groom will fall in love with her all over again when he sees her in front of the altar.

That doesn’t mean that he can’t enjoy the photos the following morning.

The Walk Down the Aisle

There’s no greater joy in a father’s life than escorting his daughter to a new life, set to create the same joy and love he gave to her. Even if the father is not physically present, the symbolism of handing a loved one over to be loved makes this a moment you will want to remember for the rest of your days.

The Reveal

The groom lifting the veil to uncover his beaming bride’s face is the cause for many wowed and guffawed expressions. The gorgeous, ravishing bride is shown in full light, and the groom revels in the fact that he gets to wake up next to her for the rest of his days. An obvious photo opp, this one will be the one to go on the mantle.

The Exchanging of the Vows

The weight of words is determined by the weight of the moment they are uttered in. We whisper sweet nothings and dole out flatteries on a daily basis. Words said in front of God, and our most beloved ones carry special meaning.

Whether the words are the traditional promises of cherishing and holding or special phrases coined by the bride and groom, the promises they make are ‘until death do us part.’ A recording of these words will give you strength when the inevitable trials and tribulations start haunting your lives together.

The Letter or Gift Exchange

A new tradition is starting to settle – the exchanging of letters between the bride and groom. The exchange happens in the morning of the wedding day, before the official preparations. The letters state the intentions of the newlyweds, reasons why they fell in love with their partners, their promises, hopes, and dreams. They express the joy of having another person in your life that’s just as important, maybe even more, than yourself. They should be heartfelt and honest, bare and unconcealing.

The exchange is a private moment, but you can easily record it to keep as a reminder of the most intimate and important promises you have made in your lives.

The Pronouncement and First Kiss

How often can you pinpoint a precise moment that changed your life forever? A priest or officiant proclaiming, ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife’ is one of those moments. It’s the moment when you and your partner become one person.

Many girls spend years in front of the mirror, practicing the ‘I Do.’ It’s an ecstatic moment when she gets to say it for real. A deep look into their lover’s eyes, uttering the words that bind them together. Is there a better photo than this?

There were probably many kisses before the First one, but when there’s a change in the one’s kissing, the kiss also takes on new meaning. Now, the kiss symbolizes their lives becoming one.

Having these three seconds on record is a priceless memory, and you will cherish it forever.

First Dance

Just like the first kiss, the dancers have changed, and the dance is now a new type of celebration of love. This wonderful tradition is carried out on almost every wedding around the world.

You don’t have to be Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. That’s not the point. Lord knows many of us are rhythmically challenged. A video of two fumbling buffoons can convey a much more honest and wholesome message than the two of you performing a practiced choreography. Not that there’s anything wrong with taking a few dance lessons beforehand to help take the edge off—also, a short drink or two.

Toasts

Again, the honesty of the words spoken is key, not so much their content or the quality of their execution. Whether it’s a drunk uncle making an uncomfortable joke, or a best man nailing the speech and tugging on everyone’s heartstrings just right, the toasts will cause you laughter and joy whenever you rewatch them.

Pictures of the Venue

We tend to go all out for a wedding, and the perfect venue is a key factor for an unforgettable reception. A tropical atmosphere of a Hawaii wedding or snow laden event venues in Minneapolis – wherever you land, special care is taken that the decor and atmosphere brings forth joy and gets each and every guest in a celebratory mood. Seeing as though so much care is put into it, make sure you take snaps of the venue before the guests arrive.

The Laughter and the Tears

Only the truly heartless and callus never once swell up during a beautiful ceremony. The occasion is so special that the line between laughter and tears is swept away, and raw emotion is bound to permeate the entire room. Make sure you instruct the photographer to go around the venue, hunting for tears, smirks, red eyes, and belly laughs.

If you are planning to have a wedding guest book, you may check out our Wedding Guest Book Ideas for the best recommendations.

The Private Last Dance

Here’s an excellent idea to create a memorable moment. Have your photographer/videographer stick around when the guests leave the venue. In a cleared room, perform a last, private dance of the day. That way, you’ll end the day the way you spent it and the way you’ll be spending the rest of your lives – in each other’s arms. This will make for the most striking photos and the most intimate videos.

Conclusion

Nowadays, everyone’s got their phones out most of the time. Harness the power of your social media addicted friends and have them send over each and every photo and video they took on your wedding.

Other than that, hire a professional you can trust to be at the right place at the right time. You don’t want to be thinking about whether the moment is being captured while it’s happening.

That way, you can enjoy your most special day to the fullest and focus on recording memories, not recording videos of those memories.

Also, if you want to make your wedding party more fun and entertaining, it is also a good idea to play some games. You may check out our Guide to Picking Fun Games for Wedding Parties for some tips and recommendations.