Being an Oregon Wedding Photographer for the last 6 years, I have seen my fair share of wedding ceremonies. Many of my couples come to me a few weeks before the big day with questions about their ceremony, so I decided to create this blog post to help answer a few of those questions!
So, here are my top 5 tips to having a beautiful wedding ceremony that you, your guests, and your photographer will adore!
1. Fill The Front Rows
Your guests know that the front row is reserved for immediate family, so they naturally stay towards the back. This is great, but the issue arises that there are more available seats in the front rows than immediate family to fill them.
To avoid a ceremony that looks half full, put a “reserved” sign on the seats that will be taken so that guests know that any other seat is free to use. This will remove some of the confusion and create a ceremony with more full seats up front!
2. Use Microphones and Loud Speakers
The last thing you want your guests to experience during your wedding is an almost silent ceremony! Skip the awkwardness by asking your DJ for a microphone and loud speakers to be set up at your ceremony location. Then, all you have to do is give your officiant the microphone and they will hold it up for you when you speak.
That way, your guests can laugh with you, cry with you, and be prepared to cheer nice and loud when you’re pronounced married!
3. Get Your Flower Girls Excited!
Oh, sweet little flower girls. I’ve seen everything from a toddler in a wagon to one of the groomsmen throwing petals. One thing is for sure, they need to know what their task is and to be excited about it! Don’t put too much pressure on them to where they get nervous and end up with stage fright. Get them super excited to throw those petals all over the place! Your guests will LOVE a happy flower girl and she’ll set the mood of the ceremony!
4. Position Your Ceremony with the Sun Behind You
If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, you’ll need to take the light into consideration. Not only is it important for great photos, but for you, too. You’ll want to make sure that the sun is not directly in your face so you’re able to see your fiancé!
If possible, have your ceremony later in the day when the sun is low. In the summer, that’s probably around 5pm. This will give you the perfect backlighting situation and your photos will turn out beautifully!
5. Have Fun!
This is a celebration! You’re marrying the love of your life with your family and friends surrounding you, so there’s no need to be nervous! Get to know your officiant well before the wedding day, so you’re comfortable around them before they marry you. Also, if your officiant knows details of your love story, they will be able to incorporate that into your ceremony and make it that much more special.
Anything else that I should add? Let me know! I would love to hear your ceremony tips and tricks!
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