Every couple has a lot of aspects to think about to make sure they organize the perfect wedding, one of the loveliest days of their lives, and photos are for sure one of them. Everyone wants a cute, memorable wedding album with a lot of memories to look at in the years to come, and it can get a bit daunting to think about how you can get perfect pictures. T o ensure you have a breathtaking wedding album, here are the top 10 poses you absolutely can’t miss!
The classic kiss
The kiss is perhaps the most iconic and romantic pose of all wedding photos. This intimate moment captures the very essence of the celebration: the love between two people joining in marriage. But, to make this timeless pose truly special, you can consider different variations: you could opt for a sweet and tender kiss, with hands gently touching, or a more passionate kiss, with a tight embrace. The photographer might also capture the moment immediately before or after the kiss, when your eyes meet and your smiles reveal all the happiness of the moment. The setting can do a lot to personalize the photo and make it unique: the sunset, the trees, a beautiful historical architecture can give the picture the vibe you’re looking for.
The forehead touch
For an intimate and sweet pose that communicates a deep emotional connection between the newlyweds, you can consider the forehead touch: this pose conveys a sense of calm, intimacy, complicity that goes beyond words. T o execute it, the couple positions themselves face to face, closing their eyes and gently resting their foreheads together. For an additional touch, hands can be intertwined, placed on the partner’s hips, or on the face. The effect is even more powerful if captured in a moment of tranquility during the hectic wedding day, maybe in a secluded corner of the venue. This pose works particularly well in black and white, because it emphasize the intimacy of the moment and it create a timeless image. The photographer might also choose to do a tight close-up, capturing every detail of the emotion on your faces.
The backwards glance
The backwards glance is a playful pose that adds a touch of mystery to your album. In this pose, the couple walks away from the camera, but the bride or the groom – or both – turn to look back towards the lens. This creates an image that suggests movement and dynamic. It’s particularly effective if captured in a scenic context: a tree-lined avenue, a beach at sunset, an elegant corridor. The backwards glance can be also emphasized by a complicit smile or a loving look. This pose also offers the opportunity to show off the back details of the wedding dress, for example an elaborate train or an open back. For an extra touch, you could include elements like the veil fluttering in the wind or flower petals falling around you.
The dip
The dip is another classic pose that adds a touch of “drama” to your wedding photos. In this pose, one of the newlyweds (traditionally the groom) supports the other in a backward-leaning pose, as in a dance. This pose requires some practice and mutual trust, but the result is simply spectacular! The dip can be executed in various ways: it can be deep and dramatic, or lighter and more playful; it can be accompanied by a kiss or a smile. The setting plays an important role in this pose: the perfect setting for this kind of photo might be a grand ballroom, an elegant staircase, or a flowering garden. The moment might also be capture with backlighting, creating a halo effect around the couple.
The vows exchange close-up
The exchange of vows is one of the most emotional and significant moments of the wedding ceremony, and a close-up of this moment should be a must in every wedding album. This pose focuses on the faces of the groom and the bride as they pronounce their vows, capturing the emotion in their eyes and expressions. Both faces should be captured, maybe with a slightly blurred background to emphasize the intimacy of the moment. Details such as a tear rolling down a cheek or a shy smile add that original touch to make the picture only yours. T o make this pose even more special you could consider writing your vows on decorative cards or in a special booklet, which could become part of the frame. The natural light coming from the windows might be perfect for this type of candid shots.
The walking hand in hand
Walking hand in hand is a simple yet powerful pose, because it symbolizes the union and the journey the bride and the groom are about to embark on together. This pose can be executed in various contexts and can range from formal to casual, depending on the atmosphere you want to create and the vibe you’re looking for your overall album. For example, you could walk along a path in a garden, on a beach, on a city street… whatever reflects your personality! The key aspect of this pose is naturalness and the spontaneity of the moment. You can look ahead, at each other, or even laugh together. Details such as the movement of the bride’s dress or the swaying bouquet should be visible and in the front. For this kind of photo you can play with perspective, like shooting from behind or from an unusual angle. This pose is also a great opportunity to show the context of your wedding, the location you choose to have the ceremony in.
The silhouette
Capturing the silhouette of the newlyweds is a more original kind of photo in comparison with the one we just acknowledge; it is very artistic and evocative pose that creates a dramatic effect. This photographic technique requires a strong light source behind the couple, that can be natural like a sunset or a large window, but it can also be created with the use of artificial lights. The result is an image where the contours of the newlyweds are sharply delineated against a bright background, creating a visual effect where you can see the couple in black and the background very vividly. There are many possible variations for this pose: you could stand close together, embrace, dance together, jump. Whatever you choose, the key is to create an interesting shape with your bodies. The bride’s veil can be an extra element of movement, especially if captured while fluttering in the wind. Since the background is pretty fundamental on this kind of picture, take in careful consideration the time of the day you decide to shoot it: the “golden hour” , just before sunset offers a warm, offers a golden light perfect for silhouettes, but it’s also possible to play with different exposures to capture both the details of the couple and the background.
The group hug
For a joyful and inclusive pose that captures not only the love between the newlyweds, but also the affection and support of their loved ones, you need to have a couple of group hug photos. This kind of pose can include the group of closest friends, the witnesses, the entire family, the important thing is to create a warm and welcoming image that reflects the sense of community and support surrounding the couple on their big day. Bride and groom should position themselves in the center, surrounded by the others in a tight embrace. T o make it more original, the photographer might opt for an overhead view to capture all the smiling faces, or for a wider frame that shows the entire group. The key expression here is joy: encourage everyone to laugh and show their happiness. T o add a funny element, you could ask the group to all jump together or make a funny pose. This photo works particularly well in an outdoor setting, where there’s space for a large group, and natural light can illuminate all faces!
The first dance
A really lovely and romantic moment during a wedding is the first dance of the couple, surrounded by the smiling faces of their loved ones around them. This pose is not so much a static pose, it’s an opportunity to capture the movement, the emotion, the intimacy of the first dance. In this moment, the photographer will be ready to capture various moment and angles to make sure to take a few nice shots focused on the couple, but that also capture the happiness in the friends and the relatives’ faces. The key is naturalness: you should focus on each other and on the moment, forgetting about the presence of the camera. The soft lights of the dance floor can create an intimate and romantic atmosphere, and for a touch of magic you can consider the addition of special effects like soap bubbles, confetti, sparkling lights. Remember that these photos don’t have to be perfect: it’s the authentic emotion that will make them unforgettable.
Fun and spontaneity
While many wedding poses focus on romance and elegance, it’s important to also capture the fun and spontaneous side of your personality, that will show up various time during this big day. There is not a single pose to focus on, the only advice here is to focus on being yourselves and having fun together. It could be a joyful jump, a hearty laugh, a silly dance, or anything that reflects your uniqueness as a couple, the vibe that you two give off, because the goal is to capture a moment of pure joy and carefreeness amidst the formal atmosphere of the wedding. T o get the most out of this pose, let go and don’t be afraid to be a little silly: the photographer will be ready to shoot in rapid succession to capture the evolution of the moment, you don’t have to worry about a thing! These photos are often the ones that will make you smile the most when you look back at your album in years to come!
Final tips for executing wedding poses perfectly
T o execute these poses in the best possible way and take the stress off your shoulders, there are a few steps you can follow
- Communication with the photographer: choosing a photographer that reflect your style is already a big step, but the next one is even more important: you need to communicate a lot with him before the wedding, so he understands your vision. This way, the chances of getting the perfect are on your side.
- Practice before the big day: maybe an engagement photo session can be useful to get used to posing in front of the camera, and also to get to know your photographer better.
- Be natural: you have to trust this universal rule: the best photos are those where you appear relaxed and authentic. Never force expressions or poses!
- Pay attention to details: make sure dresses, accessories and hairstyles are in place before each shot, so you don’t have to take them again later.
- Take advantage of natural light: when possible, always opt for locations with beautiful natural light to get brighter and more flattering photos that artificial light can recreate only partially.
- Take your time: Don’t rush during photo sessions: breathe deeply, enjoy the moment and take the time to take as many shots as you need until you feel comfortable.
- Incorporate your environment: use elements of your venue and your background as a part of your photos in a way that complement your poses.
- Be flexible: even if you have a vision for yourself and how you want your pictures to look, be open to spontaneous suggestions from the photographer, or also last-minute changes due to weather conditions or other factors.
- Remember why you’re there: in moments of stress, remember that you’re celebrating your love, and that is the focus of the day, not taking the perfect shots! Actually, the perfect shots will come the moment you relax and don’t think too much into it…
- Have fun: remember that the more fun you have, the more your photos will reflect the joy of your big day!
Follow these tips and work closely with your photographer: this way, you’ll create a photo album you will cherish for a long time!
