No matter what your budget or venue, you can always make your wedding more photogenic by getting a little creative with the space you have to work with. Here are simple tips to help make the most out of what you have to work with…..
Tidy up. This is the most important tip I can give. Especially when it comes to the getting ready area, simply keeping the space organized and clean makes a huge difference. Designate a corner or specific area for bags to be stored and keep the rest of the space free of garments, empty cups, trash, etc. If something is particularly distracting or unsightly and can be removed and then put back, do it. Again, getting ready spaces are the worst for this. If there is a large poster on the wall that can come down, take it down and put it in the designated corner. Just be sure to put everything back where it came from. Start your day by going through and removing anything you don’t want to be seen in your photos. Look out for trashcans and if they can be moved to a corner or somewhere less prominent, move them.
Consider the space you have and work with it, not against it. You may love mustard and gray for your color scheme, but when the carpet at your venue is red, it isn’t going to do anything for creating a photogenic environment. Consider the colors that are already present in the space when choosing your color scheme. If you’re getting married outside, be sure to pick florals without an abundance of green - the green will just fade into the greens of the background and get lost. Sometimes letting the natural landscape be the main focus is best outside, while indoor spaces benefit from larger florals to create a more lush environment.
Choose your time wisely. Especially if you have a venue without any shade, this one is very important. Lighting makes or breaks a photo. The closer to noon you take photos outside, the more harsh the light will be (it softens as the day goes on). If you can set a schedule that allows you to take photos later in the afternoon or evening, your photographer will appreciate it (and you won’t sweat in the summer heat, either!) Work with your photographer to set a schedule that will allow for formal photos to be taken at the best time of day. When it comes to picking a ceremony site, or where to put the head table, lighting is also important. You never want a window directly behind a main photo op spot - harsh backlighting is extremely difficult to work with. Avoid putting the head table or cake cutting area in front of a window. If you get married outside, pick a spot where the sunlight will be behind the officiant to help soften shadows if you can’t find a shady spot (also avoid areas with spotty light cast from trees. Stand under the tree in full sun and see if you get sunspots hitting your skin).
Add string lights or candles. A great way to liven up a space and give it depth without breaking the bank is by adding lights. It softens the atmosphere and creates a more appealing space.
Be in the moment. Don’t spend your day worried about where the photographer is and smiling at them. Your natural reactions and emotions showing through will be your guaranteed favorite shots. During the ceremony, it is understandable to be nervous, but try to remember to stand closely together and not feet apart. Also, look at each other, not the officiant! If you’re looking at each other, that means the photographer can see your face and capture your expressions, and not just the back of your head.
Don’t skip on the fitting. If your straps are too long, your waist too big, bust too tight - it all shows. A properly fitted dress makes a huge difference in being happy with your own appearance. This is one thing to not skip out on to budget money elsewhere.
Its all in the details. An interesting space is always more photogenic than a basic one. Even on a budget, you can add simple touches to make a space more interesting, and therefore more photogenic. Add a table with your parents/grandparents wedding photos or photos of the two of you throughout your relationship - this is cheap to do and guests will love it. Buy tulle, lace, or other textured fabric and use it to create draping (it may even be a good way to cover up something you don’t particularly like or want in your backgrounds). Bring in things from your home and use them to decorate - sometimes adding little personal touches about who you are as a couple work just as well as decor purchased specifically to decorate for the wedding. Buy/sell sites can also be a great place to pick up decor at a big discount if you’re on a budget.
