5 tips for Better Fine Art Wedding Ceremony Photos

We all know that photographing at sunset provides beautiful lighting, but your whole wedding won’t happen during golden hour. But there are still ways to make sure that your ceremony photos are aesthetically beautiful and photogenic. Here are some simple tips I have found to create a beautiful ceremony site that’s both intimate and intentional.

Outdoor VS Indoor Wedding Ceremony

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, I thank you in advance! All joking aside, as a natural light-preferred photographer, I always encourage my couples to embrace the beauty of natural light if it makes sense to do so. This is California after all. We have some of the best weather in the world!

If your ceremony is to take place indoors, consult with your photographer on how to make the best use of your light sources, especially if there is little to no natural light. 

I have my own lighting that I will bring to your wedding day to ensure proper lighting at all times including indoors and specifically during your wedding ceremony, but some churches, for example, are strict about what is allowed in terms of flash photography during your ceremony limiting your photographer’s ability to create ideal lighting during that time. It’s always best to address it ahead of time so you and your creative team are prepared with a plan.

Ceremony Floral Design

I love it when couples make their ceremonies an intentional time through both the content as well as the setting. Beautiful floral designs can create that intimate and romantic atmosphere for you to share your commitments to each other. Talk with your florist about how you can create something that makes a statement for your ceremony.

Good florists often have several ideas in mind that they are just waiting to try, so they will love collaborating with you to create a statement with your ceremony floral display. They can help you plan to enjoy that floral design with a transition into your reception space as well! Just make sure they are able to set it up in the reception space in time for a few detail photos!

Ceremony Time of Day

The time of day is one of the key pieces affecting the quality of light. My favorite ceremonies to photograph are often planned for later in the day so the couples could take advantage of the softening sunlight. If you like the way your photographer has photographed weddings in similar conditions or locations, share with them what you liked and ask how you can achieve that for your own wedding ceremony photos. If you ask for help, I’m always so eager to help and collaborate to make sure your vision comes to life through the images!

Ceremony Light Direction

The direction of your outdoor ceremony is another key factor. Special thought should be made for situations like full sun, midday light, and dappled shade. While I’m going to do my best to capture things as beautifully as possible, I don’t have as much control over the lighting during the ceremony as I do in the more directed photography parts of the day. This is why venues like Beaulieu Garden and others with ample shade are so ideal for a midday outdoor ceremony.

I’m not going to interrupt your ceremony to ask you to take a step to the right where the lighting is better, so it’s helpful to consider what the lighting conditions will be like in your ceremony location at the time of day you’ll be having your ceremony. As always, I’m available to help and make any recommendations and will always be doing my best to capture the setting beautifully, regardless of the lighting conditions.

Guest experience

Your guests are making some sacrifices to be with you on your wedding day. When the ceremony time comes, It takes patience and dedication for a guest to sit quietly amid a group of people they probably haven’t seen in a while! Show your guests your gratitude during your ceremony time with a few thoughtful touches.

Maybe that’s choosing some pretty chairs for them to sit in. Pass them a champagne flute or cocktail as they enter the ceremony site to thank them for their commitment to you during that span of time. If the ceremony location has to be in direct sun, consider offering parasols for some shade. Or if chilly weather might be expected, consider blankets to keep them warm.

The little thoughtful details can make a big difference in the guest experience, and the ceremony is just one small place where you can continue to show your gratitude for their continued support and love.