The Complete Studio KH Wedding Guide

We’ve made it to the main event! Since this is the part of the day where I won’t be giving any real time suggestions, I have more tips and more to say about the ceremony. It’s also one of my very favorite parts of a wedding day.

Here’s a look at my go-to position for the processional: close to the altar, swiveling back and forth to be able to get both of your reactions. If you opt for a second shooter add-on, Eric stays at the back of the aisle or is up in a church balcony.

A few pointers for the big event—

• If your aisle is short, a pause at the furthest distance is highly encouraged for the bride. I know you’re excited to make your way down that aisle, but stop to soak it in! Stretch out those steps! I want to ensure you have proper documentation of that very fleeting moment as I’m alternating shots between you two lovebirds.
  

• Let your eyes rest anywhere that feels comfortable, but please avoid looking straight down at the ground for extended lengths of time—especially during the aisle walks. When in doubt, keep your eyes focused on your partner. 
  

• Wondering when the best time is to hand off your bouquet to your attendants? Depends on your ceremony! If you are going to be standing for awhile at the beginning for a formal introduction, feel free to hold on to your blooms. When your hands are needed—either to hold hands with your partner, or to read from your vows—you can turn then and hand them off naturally. I think it’s nice to have them to hold on to, rather than passing them off immediately.
  

• Consider facing out towards your guests at least once during your ceremony, especially if your ceremony space doesn’t afford much in the way of angles and movement on my part. Ways to naturally incorporate this: If you have a singer or musician, face them as they perform their piece. Readers can get the same polite treatment. Include a symbolic unity demonstration, like a candle lighting. Or my favorite: it makes for a powerful moment when an officiant includes a prompt for you to pause and look out at your assembled guests together. Savor it!
  

• If you’re preparing your own vows, chances are you won’t be reciting from memory. Try to avoid  reading from cell phones and computer printouts in favor of something handwritten. It makes for a sweet souvenir and even lovelier ceremony shots. There are all kinds of beautiful vow books on Etsy if that appeals to you.
  

• Try to make your first kiss as newlyweds last a few seconds, whether it’s one long one or several shorties. My position will most often be middle-of-the-aisle for this, but let me know if you want the opposite view. If that’s the case, better make it an extra long smooch to allow me time to hop back to the aisle for the recessional.

Greg and Rachel’s personal vow exchange. It’s becoming increasingly popular to stick to traditional vows during the ceremony, sharing personal vows privately before or after.

After the Kiss

You did it! Let the recessional commence! Out of every moment of a wedding day, this single minute is one of the most precious. More often than not, it winds up as one of your first previews.

A few tips to make the most of your recessional—

• When choosing songs to walk out to, an upbeat tune will likely match the WE DID IT mood better than a slow song.
  

• Make sure your officiant has all of their reception announcements out of the way (if any) before you kiss. Once you seal the deal with that smooch, you’ll want to carry that high with you.
  

• Want to really up the festive mood? Let’s start tossin’ things! I’ve seen birdseed, bubbles, biodegradable confetti, and more. I’ve seen streamers waved and petals thrown. Have an indoor venue that won’t allow for it? I’ve also seen tosses happen on smaller scales (just your wedding party?) at amended locations (outside the front door of the venue?) and at different times (15 minutes after the ceremony, giving guests time to line up.)
  

No matter how you plan to exit your ceremony, budget at least 5-10 minutes of time with your crew when you make it to the end. Even if you’re skipping a receiving line or hopping right into vehicles, it’s natural that you’ll receive many hugs + congratulations from your wedding party and immediate family as they follow you back down the aisle. Emotions are incredibly genuine at this moment and some of my favorite shots. Try not to rush it if you don’t have to.

More ceremony tips:

• When walking down the aisle, don’t ever link arms with your partner do-si-do style. Typically, one party extends an elbow, while the other loops a hand through to gently rest on their partner’s bicep. This goes for your wedding party too.
  

• It’s been a trend in the last few years to ask your officiant to step out of the way for your kiss at the altar, and to throw another kiss in as you recess down the aisle. I’m not too opinionated about either option. I think they can make for great photos but only as long as it’s something you feel comfortable with! If you think you’re going to be too in your head about the timing of it all, I’d tell you to skip it. Being present is more important than anything when it comes to your ceremony. Do what feels right.
  

• On the fence about having an unplugged wedding? (Unplugged = asking guests to turn off their cell phones.) A new way to have the best of both worlds, is to early on in the ceremony ask everyone to take out their phones, allow them to snap a quick photo of you at the altar, and then collectively put them away. I’ve also seen couples ask everyone to instead take a selfie, text it to the couple, then power down together before the ceremony goes on. Both work, especially for less formal ceremonies! Don’t want to do an unplugged ceremony at all? No problem. In recent years, it seems like guests have been more respectful with cell phone shots and it’s been less of an issue.

< Back | Next >

HOME