A Shower of Rice

You can find many great wedding photo opportunities, but one of the best is the newlyweds being celebrated as they exit the ceremony.

Groom and new bride happily exit the church after being married as they are showered with rice and confetti (© Michael Maher).

The Photo:
There are many traditional photographs to take at weddings, but you should create your own original ones, too. From early in the day as the bride and groom get ready, to the actual ceremony, through the reception, there are limitless photo possibilities, but aim for a mix of expected and unexpected pictures. If possible, during the ceremony, you want pictures of the bride and groom exchanging vows and rings, the first kiss after being pronounced man and wife, and any spontaneous reaction or facial expression that occurs. You can also photograph them exiting wherever the ceremony is held, being congratulated by well-wishers, climbing into the limo and waving as they head away. Then there are all the options at the reception. At this wedding in Cape Cod, I took many photos, but one of my favorites was the newlyweds leaving the church, smiling as they are showered with rice and confetti by joyous well-wishers. The situation was ideal – a bright overcast day without harsh sunlight shadows, a perfect alignment of people waiting on both sides of the church entrance, and an unobstructed view of the couple and well-wishers so I could get a clear photo.

3 Tips:
1) At weddings, take a mix of expected/traditional photographs and unexpected ones.
2) Photo opportunities abound -- as the couple gets ready before the service, during the ceremony itself, at the reception festivities, and practically every step in between.
3) To fully capture the happiness of the day, be certain to include the both wedding guests and the newlyweds in your photographs.