Photography in New York City

Getting Ready

• Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
• Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
• Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
• Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
• Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
• Detail of clothing, shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue
• Touching shot of bride with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
• Touching shot of bride with sibling(s)
• Bride hugging honor attendant
• Bride with bridesmaids
• Bride with all the women
• Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
• Touching shot of groom with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
• Touching shot of groom with sibling(s)
• Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
• Groom with all the groomsmen
• Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bowties
• Intimate shots of bride and groom with parents and siblings pre-ceremony
• Dad whispering last-minute advice to groom
• Groom ready to go
• Bride ready to go
• Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony

The Ceremony

• Guests streaming into the site
• Ushers escorting guests to their seats
• Ushers escorting moms to their seats (Christian wedding)
• Close-up of groom's adorably nervous mug waiting for his other half
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
• Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
• Honor attendant walking down the aisle
• Grandparents walking down the aisle (Jewish wedding)
• Wedding party waiting at the altar
• Groom walking down the aisle
• Bride and Dad/escort/parents (Jewish wedding) walking down the aisle
• Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
• Bride and groom at the altar
• Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
• Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from bride and groom's point of view
• Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows
• Close-up of bride's and groom's hands as they exchange rings
• The kiss
• Bride and groom proceeding up the aisle, guests' smiling faces at their sides
• Bride and groom outside ceremony site
• Congrats shots: bride and groom hugging, laughing, and crying with good friends and family
• Bride and groom leaving ceremony site
• Bride and groom in limo backseat

Before the Reception
(Note: You can also take these before the ceremony)

• Bride and groom together
• Bride with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
• Bride with her entire immediate family
• Groom with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
• Groom with his entire immediate family
• Bride and groom with all parents
• Bride and groom with immediate family members from both sides
• Bride and groom with groomsmen
• Bride and groom with bridesmaids
• Bride and groom with whole wedding party

• Shot from outside reception site (to set the tone)
• Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, etc.
• Bride and groom arriving
• Receiving-line moments
• Bride and groom at head table
• Parents' table
• Guests' tables
• Close-up of friends and family making toasts
• Bride and groom sipping champagne
• Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each other during dinner
• Bride and groom chatting up the guests
• Bride and groom's first dance
• Parents dancing
• Bride and Dad dancing
• Groom and Mom dancing
• Wedding party dancing
• Grandparents dancing
• Kids playing or dancing
• Musicians or DJ doing their thing
• Guests going nuts on the dance floor (again, slow-shutter speed could be effective)
• Bride laughing with bridesmaids
• Cake table
• Bride and groom cutting the cake
• Bride and groom feeding each other cake
• Dessert table
• Bouquet toss (perhaps a vertical shot from in front of the bride)
• Tossing and catching of the garter
• Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's backseat
• Rear of car departing

Don't forget that there is virtually no way for the photographer to remember to take all of these pictures and/or have the perfect opportunity to take them, so don't have a tantrum when you get the proofs and a couple shots are missing. Just be realistic about it and hope for the best.

For those of you who are new to the wedding mumbo-jumbo, a bridal portrait session is done with only the bride- all dressed up. Usually these pictures are taken at least a month before the wedding, so that they can be displayed at the wedding. However, some New York City brides choose to do theirs after the wedding, or even on the wedding day.

One of the best things about the bridal portrait is that it is a great way to make sure what you want will really look good. Since you are completely made-up for your picture including dress, veil, jewelry, bouquet, etc., you will be able to see exactly what you love and what you don't. If you decide the necklace doesn't look that great in the pictures, you can find a different one for the wedding day. No one will know the difference if you change anything (unless it's the dress, of course!).

Many brides cherish their bridal portraits because it is a true picture of their wedding day beauty, without the stress of the actual wedding day. It is so good to know that you can just work with the photographer to get the best pictures, without worrying about getting to the reception on time or making sure you talk to everyone. Bridal portraits are often considered much better than their wedding day counterparts, simply because the bride is relaxed and happy.

Usually the bridal portraits are taken at a different location from your reception. Some brides choose to have the portraits taken at the same location as their engagement pictures. Others decide to take them at their reception location. Sometimes you have to pay a fee to get your pictures taken somewhere. If so, make sure you plan this into your budget so that you don't go over. Make sure you pick a location that will show off your personal style as well as the wedding style.

Often the cost of bridal portraits will be included in the photography package that you have chosen for the reception. If bridal portraits aren't included, ask your photographer if they have a discounted price to add it to the package. If you can't get a good price from your photographer, don't hesitate to find a different photographer to just take care of your bridal portraits. Just make sure you do just as much research finding a bridal portrait photographer as you did for your wedding day photographer.