Molly’s Wedding Photo Tips:
1. Get one nice photograph with each bridesmaid.
Molly points out that it’s a lot to ask from your friends to be a bridesmaid. So taking a moment out of your wedding day to individually thank your girlfriends and tell them how much it means to you is really thoughtful. Then you can give each bridesmaid a print as a thank you gift after the wedding. As Molly’s photographer, I would like to note that this was such a great photo op, particularly for happy, emotion-filled candid photos. See one of these photos here.
2. Even if you don’t love posed shots (and who does?!), be realistic about needing some posed shots, too.
And the posed photos will take some time. If you don’t want to see each other before the ceremony, Molly says to be sure to get down the aisle on time! You’re only going to have about 45 minutes for photos with your family and friends and your spouse, so you need to hurry. It’s a drag to miss the cocktail hour, but the photos will last forever.
3. You’re not just limited to black and white and color photographs.
Molly notes that black and white and color is only the beginning. There are toy camera photos; different film stocks, lenses, and processing; Polaroids; digital; 4×5 film; and more. Molly and Scott, who have an incredible collection of photographs and art in their home, made time for a few Polaroid 55 portraits.
4. You want to be as comfortable as possible with your photographer.
Wedding photography is a collaboration. To that end, Molly says speak up to your photographer if you know you have a “good side.” And have your photographer photograph your rehearsal dinner. Not only is it great to have those photographs later, but it helps you, your beloved, and your bridal party and family become comfortable around your photographer.
Molly has wedding tips over on her blog, too! See posts here and here. Thanks, Molly!
photo: Gia Canali Photography
We are beyond thrilled that Molly Sims is sharing her wedding photos today here, on her own site, and on StyleMePretty. I’ll add links as they go live!
{Pursuing the} Picture Perfect Wedding: rehearsal | wedding day one | Polaroid 55 | wedding day two
StyleMePretty: rehearsal, wedding day one, wedding day two
photo: Gia Canali Photography
When Lisa called me about her wedding—or rather, her elopement—she didn’t just ask me to make the photographs, she asked me to be their witness. I think the act of making wedding photographs is actually an act of witnessing, so her very literal proposal to do just that was thrilling. Plus: the civic nature of the elopement, or maybe the public civic nature of their getting married was really fascinating. I loved how the on-lookers became part of the celebration of their vows and day, and there were so many other folks at the San Francisco City Courthouse doing the exact same thing we all were. Even more than that, I couldn’t have anticipated how contagious Lisa and Jared’s joy was. Lisa has contagious laughter. I think you’ll see and I hope you enjoy their wedding and meandering SF portraits (some on 4×5 film!) just as much as I did.
photos: Gia Canali
Venue: San Francisco City Hall | Dress: BHLDN | Shoes: Cole Haan | Veil: Ornent | Necklace: J. Crew | Groom’s Suit: J. Crew | Groom’s Shirt: H&M | Tie: Ben Sherman | Floral Designer: Studio Choo | Cupcakes: Miette | Hair, Makeup: Wow Pretty
We love everything about this sweet, thoughtful summer garden wedding at The Hotel Bel Air. For a big wedding, it managed to feel intimate and quiet, which is quite a feat and a credit to this couple. They also did a really good job of making time for each other on their wedding (not so easy as it might sound). It’s a great take on a classically elegant wedding. The soft palette and florals complement the colors and feel of the setting and adds a little (more!) romance to the black tie soiree. We hope you enjoy!
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Wishing you guys so much happiness!
photos: Gia Canali
florals: Flowerwild; venue & catering: Hotel Bel Air; wedding planner: Maryam Forutan, Delicate Details; rentals: Town & Country; linens, La Tavola Linens; video: Gina Jones, Lola Video; makeup, Ronann; dj: Unite Entertainment ; click here for feature on Style Me Pretty.
When I started writing this blog, what I really wanted was to help folks get the best wedding photographs they could possibly get. And really great wedding photographs—even documentary ones—don’t generally just happen. So this blog has become all about stacking the deck in your favor. A certain amount of intention goes into that. You set the environment, the lighting, the mood, the schedule. Mostly, though, we want you to be joyous on your wedding day, because, well, you should be joyous, and because, ultimately, the photographs can only ever be as good as the memories you make. So let’s make them (both) really good.
photo: Gia Canali
Sharon and Adam are the kind of people that you pretty much fall in love with straight away. So their wedding was accordingly sweet and whimsical, almost impossibly so. I knew we would have lots of fun collaborating, since their engagement photo session was so tenderhearted, but I definitely underestimated how many times they, or one of their parents, would get me to tear up behind my cameras.
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I loved everything about this intimate dinner reception, from the blooms Kate Holt arranged (I keep thinking the word sculpted as I look at them!) to the hand-drawn table herb table markers (with thanks to the groom’s father and his careful hand). The long summer night made perfect a meandering meal with happy, heartfelt meandering toasts and lots and lots of dancing. We come back to this point often around here, but good memories make for good photographs, and not the other way around. My work is a joy when folks are really relishing everything that’s happening around them, as they were on this night.
Someday, I hope my husband and I are as cute dancing at a wedding as this bride’s parents were (of course, the bride and groom are pretty adorable themselves):
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(That last one is my favorite …)
photos: Gia Canali
florals: Kate Holt, Flowerwild; venue: San Ysidro Ranch; planning: Erica Espana, Twine Events; invites & programs: Tiny Pine Press; dj: Josh Jones, Good Beat Productions
As the year draws to an end and I’m looking back on this year’s images, I keep finding myself drawn to the really quiet images. Or images of really quiet moments. These moments don’t usually just happen at a wedding. You have to seek them out. It’s true that these moments generally make for good photographs, but I bring them up because they are essential in totaling the hugeness of what’s happening in and all around you.
photo: Gia Canali
We’re so pleased to be able to share Angella & Peter’s wedding on Style Me Pretty today. Please {click here} to see the post.
P.S. The bride’s headpiece weighs 20 lbs!
photo: Gia Canali
