As a luxury wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless wedding days, but there’s one thing that sets apart truly unforgettable weddings from the rest: the memories that happen before and after the big day. In this blog, I’ll share with you why I believe it’s essential to capture the welcome event, recovery day, and honeymoon session – and why they’re crucial to telling your wedding story.
The Welcome Event: A Time to Set the Tone
The day before your wedding is a special time, filled with anticipation and excitement. Gathering your closest family and friends for an intimate welcome event is an excellent way to kick off your wedding weekend. But, all too often, these precious moments are left uncaptured. Think about it: this is a time when your loved ones are dressed to impress, mingling, and enjoying each other’s company. It’s a wonderful opportunity to capture special portraits of your parents and grandparents, looking radiant in their finery. Trust me, these images will become treasured family heirlooms for generations to come. Whether you choose to have a private celebration or a rehearsal dinner, you can make it as intimate and special or extravagant as you want!
Recovery Day: The Perfect Opportunity for Candid Fun
The day after your wedding is often referred to as the “recovery day.” But what better way to recover than with a fun-filled day of relaxation and celebration with your loved ones? This is an ideal time to capture candid moments of you and your guests having the time of their lives, reliving the highlights of your wedding day. With no formal events or timelines to worry about, we can focus on capturing genuine, unscripted moments that will leave you with a beautiful reminder of the joy and love that surrounds you. A common favourite amongst couples is to have brunch and lounge by the pool.
The Honeymoon Session: Capturing Your Love Bubble
After all the wedding celebrations are over, it’s essential to take a moment to reflect on your newfound marriage. The honeymoon session is an excellent way to do just that. With no distractions or pressures, we can focus on capturing the love and intimacy between you two. This is a special opportunity to remember this magical time together, free from the chaos of wedding planning and partying. These images will become cherished reminders of your love bubble – the perfect way to start your new life together. This session is also the perfect opportunity to capture memories in a new setting on your honeymoon or in locations we didn’t have time to do offsite on your wedding day. After all you want to spend as much of your wedding day with your loved ones as you can, this is your chance to slow down and get some extra portraits of you two. You can get dressed up in your wedding attire again or a second outfit or something beautiful and formal – the choice is yours!
Why Capture Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Memories Matter
In addition to being a beautiful way to tell your wedding story, capturing pre-wedding and post-wedding memories is especially important when family members are traveling from out of town or when planning a destination wedding – whether big or small. For those traveling from afar, these moments provide an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones before and after the big day. For destination weddings, capturing these moments ensures that you have a complete visual record of your entire wedding weekend – from arrival to departure – without worrying about missing out on precious moments.
In conclusion, as a luxury wedding photographer, I believe it’s crucial to capture the pre-wedding and post-wedding memories. These moments are an integral part of your wedding story, offering a glimpse into the excitement, love, and joy that surrounds you on this special weekend. By including these events in your wedding package or booking them separately, you’ll have a comprehensive visual record of your entire wedding journey – from anticipation to celebration to newlywed bliss. This also allows me as your wedding photographer to fully immerse myself in your story and have the opportunity to really get to know your loved ones and create bonds that will reflect in your photos to cherish.
So don’t miss out on these precious opportunities! Let me help you capture every moment of your special day – from welcome event to honeymoon session – and create a truly unforgettable wedding story. Reach out today to see I’m available to capture your whole wedding weekend!