The emotions are already heightened on a wedding day. The anticipation, the excitement, the NERVES. And not just from the bride and groom or members of the wedding party, but the vendor team too! They all work so hard for months helping plan the most beautiful day for the bride and groom. Being a wedding photographer for over 6 years now, I’ve been in the presence of many situations that triggered tears (like real streaming down my face, hiding behind my camera kind of tears). So I’ve decided to compile a “How to make your photographer cry on your wedding day” list..
#1 Having personal details
I talk to all my brides about having a bridal bag ready for me when I arrive on their wedding day. This bag consists of their rings, invitation suite, jewelry, shoes, ribbons, wax stamps, perfume, hair accessories, heirlooms, you name it! The more personal the better. Definitely a tear jerker when the bride hands me a handkerchief or vintage purse that belonged to a grandmother, or an extra boutonniere in honor of their father that passed away.
#2 Bride and Groom exchanging letters
When letters are exchanged and read during the wedding day morning, make sure you bring tissues! We usually have our couples read their letters right before they get dressed. It’s a moment that slows everything down and reminds us, among all the chaos of hair and makeup and champagne, why we are here.
#3 Bride getting ready with mom
How special it is to start your day off by getting your dress on with just your mom. 99% of the time tears are involved.
#4 Bride reveals her wedding dress to her bridesmaids
Love this! And those bridesmaids really know how to make a bride feel beautiful!
#5 First Look with Dad
When Daddy’s little girl grows up too fast :)
#6 Groom sees Bride for the first time
Whether it’s in an intimate setting before the ceremony, or down the aisle in front of hundreds of loved ones, nothing beats that reaction of seeing your soon-to-be wife for the first time in her wedding dress.
#7 Bride and Groom write their own vows
Some couples choose to repeat vows from the officiant, but others choose to pour their own hearts out on paper and share those vows. Vows from the heart always bring tears to my eyes!
#8 Sunset Portraits
After being bombarded with hugs from family, one of my favorite things to do is take the newly married couple out for some sunset portraits and a quiet moment together. Those sweet nuzzles after getting married are just the thing we all need to soak in the moment before the party starts.
#9 First Dance
Need I say more? The first dance as husband and wife is so precious!
#10 Reception Toasts
It’s one thing hearing brides and grooms pour their hearts out to each other, but a whole other to hear close friends and family testifying of the their kind demeanors, first impressions of meeting the fiance, and how overjoyed they are to be welcoming a new face into their circles.
#11 Giving a Thank You
This last one is something that definitely triggers an emotional reaction from me EVERY TIME. I never expect it because in my mind I’m just happy to be there for the couple and do my job. But it sure is a nice surprise to get a thank you letter, a tip, a plate of cookies (one of my brides baked me my favorite confetti cookies once!), or even a super sweet review of how much they enjoyed working with me. I do my best to provide each couple with an amazing photography experience, and they pay me well for it too! But it also brings tears to my eyes to see couples going the extra mile to show that they noticed everything I’d done and that they appreciate it.
