5 Tips for Wedding Photos You’ll Cherish Forever

It’s your special day: glinting tableware lined up in a row, the faces of your nearest and dearest all around, and your beloved’s eyes brimming with emotion you exchange I Do’s. This day that you planned for months—maybe even a year or more—will flit by with exceptional warmth and joy. The photos you keep afterward, however, will give those feelings the staying power they deserve.

To make sure your cheerful memories live on through pictures, keep these wedding photo pointers in mind as you plan your big day.

1. Do your homework

A favorite photo starts not just with a great photographer but also with exceptional rapport—which means researching your options thoroughly. While cost is an important consideration, someone who truly puts you at ease in front of the camera and beautifully captures the love between you and your partner is worth every penny.

2. Watch what goes on your skin

A spray tan may seem like an ideal way to fake a healthy glow, for both brides and grooms, but not so fast. That sun-kissed look usually appears overly orange through the camera lens, and pumpkin-toned is probably not the look you’re hoping for. Same goes for shimmering powders and lotions, which tend to look more sweat-like than glamorous.

3. Draw inspiration from celebrity shots

You know that red carpet pose because you’ve seen it a million times—now, recreate it for yourself:

•    Angle your hips away from the camera for a slimming effect.
•    Drop your shoulders and pull them slightly back, and elongate your neck.
•    Shift your weight to your back foot.
•    Hold your arms slightly away from your body.
•    Optionally place your hand on your hip, but lightly—don’t clutch your torso.

It also helps to practice out any awkwardness in front of the mirror before actual photos get snapped. That way, the pose will appear more natural later.

4. Smile big and laugh freely

Often, photos of you laughing with your partner and loved ones become the most treasured. If your face becomes sore from holding a smile in place for too long, a laugh will loosen you up and magically never appear forced on camera.

With confidence behind your smile, those moments will be even more memorable—and if you’re self-conscious about your teeth, opt for a one-of-a-kind Invisalign boutique experience with Smilebar. Straighten your teeth in six to nine months. That way, you’ll have no qualms about smiling big for the camera—and your smile will effortlessly highlight the joy of the day.

5. Live in the moment

Lastly, take a deep breath and relax! All of the hard prep work is behind you, and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Embrace the moment. When you’re relaxed and fully immersed in the experience, your photographer will capture the most stunning photos. You’ll also be 100% you—and your most authentic self is the most attractive.

Even though you’ll want to see all the photos right away, keep in mind that it may take a while for your photographer to get them to you. It could take weeks, possibly months, to tinker the photos into perfection, so prepare to develop patience in your life as a newlywed.

But just imagine the payoff: finally getting your photos, and relishing looking over each moment—both the shots that were planned and ones your photographer captured as a surprise. The memories are always worth the wait.