Top 10 In-Between Moments to Document on Wedding Days

Over the years I have seen firsthand that no two weddings are ever the same and that's something I always want to make sure I capture in my photography - authenticity.

In this blog post, I cover everything you need to know about documenting the story of a wedding day authentically. There are certain key in-between moments in every wedding day that are worth paying extra attention to. After all, we photographers want to make sure we capture the most authentic and unforgettable moments for our couples that they will cherish for years to come, am I right?

I've broken down each section chronologically and I also have a mini cheat sheet that you can print to have with you at each wedding to remind you of which moments to look out for. So let's dive in!

1. The Morning Of - The Guys

I usually start the day by heading over to where the guys are at. Sometimes the parents are also there. When I arrive, I make sure to tell them, “Hey, you guys can do whatever you want. It's totally up to you. You can start getting dressed early or you can hang out in your regular clothes, play games, and do whatever you want to do.”

I want them to be able to crack open a beer or do funny little things allowing them to be themselves. So I arrive, let them know that, and they immediately feel comfortable around me.

I truly believe that the guys will value relaxed photos of them so much more than ones where they are simply getting dressed.

For example, recently I photographed a wedding where the guys literally wanted to go outside and play frisbee on the street like they did when they were younger. And I thought - yes, let's do that!

The morning is a huge opportunity for so many in-between moments. The guys are in their natural habitat. Sometimes they will get ready at home, and even if it's a hotel and it might not feel as natural, still let them do what they want to do. I promise, you will get the photos of them naturally connecting and being themselves. It's something they will value a lot.

If you let those moments unfold naturally, then keep an eye out for those in-between moments and have the camera ready. Listen to the guys talking and if you can tell they are about to make a joke, have the camera at your face and ready because you know that any second they are going to be laughing and connecting naturally. Equally, if the family is there - that's another thing to look out for. The parents might be looking at their child that's about to get married and feeling overwhelmed with excitement and emotion.

Look out for those moments because that's something we as photographers should be anticipating and paying attention to!

2. The Morning Of - The Girls

For the girls it's basically the same thing. The girls will obviously have different kinds of activities. They're most likely not going to play video games or play frisbee but they might hang out, drink champagne, talk, laugh, and maybe practice their entrance to the reception.

And then of course when it's time for the dress to be put on, it's a really exciting moment for the girls. And that's one of those expected moments on wedding days. Make sure you're keeping an eye out not only on the bride putting her dress on but also pay attention to people's reactions even before the bride puts on her dress, and see how the girls are interacting. Perhaps there will be random spontaneous hugs. You want to make sure those moments are documented because those mean so much to the couple.

3. Leaving the House

This is possibly the last time that the parents or the wedding party will see the couple before they're married. Maybe they're off to go get married right away. Maybe they're going for the first look.

Leaving the house is such a beautiful in-between moment to document because it also helps to tell the story of what people may be feeling at that moment. Especially if the family is there. Seeing moms being emotional and the couple being one step closer to seeing the person they are marrying and having a celebration.

On the outside, not much might be happening. They are just walking out of the house but imagine what they are feeling. There is a lot going on inside and it's important you document that for them as they will really value that.

4. Arriving at the Ceremony Location

I always rush to get to the wedding location because first, I don't want to be late, but mainly I want to make sure to capture those quiet moments of the bride waiting in the car with her dad or in the back.

I always ask myself, what are they feeling right now? And that's why I document every single in-between moment I possibly can.

A lot depends on the wedding location. If it's indoors, you might be in the back with the bride and her dad until the very last minute documenting everything. Sometimes guests arrive late and then you're able to catch those unexpected moments of, “Oh my gosh, you look so beautiful,” with the bride blurred out in the foreground. And that's a memory they will have for a long time - someone might have been late but she'll remember that, “You look so beautiful,” moment.

If it's an outdoor location, I'm able to run around more freely from where the bride is and down the grass to the ceremony location and capture all of that too.

5. The Ceremony

The ceremony is obviously not an in-between moment. It's a key moment but I always make sure to think about every in-between moment that I can catch.

I always listen to the officiant speaking as I might be able to catch something lighthearted or a joke. This way it's easier to get yourself ready and you might be shooting from beside the bride and groom, documenting the family and friends laughing. If you know the bride and groom will laugh, you can get a laughing shot of them connecting and holding hands.

There are the things you need to be ready for. Pay attention to what's going on around you to get those in-between moments.

6. After the Ceremony

For some photographers, this might be obvious - well, duh, obviously people are hugging and they're celebrating. But I have a story to tell you.

I was at a wedding once and I noticed something. The couple was married, they walked down the aisle and the photographer was shooting that. As soon as the couple walked past the photographer, the photographer stopped shooting.

And I was like, “What? No, no, no!” I was dying inside, thinking that the couple is outside right now by themselves connecting and embracing the feeling of just getting married. On top of that, all of their closest friends and family are going to be out there any second giving them huge hugs, congratulating them and possibly crying, and the photographer is missing it.

Guys. Do not miss this. This is key. This is one of my favorite parts of the day to document because it's so authentic. It literally couldn't get more authentic than that. Them being so excited. They just got married, authentic hugs, tears. So make sure that you're shooting that. Okay?

7. Cocktail Hour

I've done a lot of second shooting in my life and for a long time I thought that the cocktail hour was when the photographers were taking a break and chilling, never quite understanding why are we sitting here when there are all those people laughing and drinking, and connecting. I didn't get it.

When I went out on my own, I really made sure to document that part for my couples.

Cocktail hour is key because guess what? Every time the couple sees a new person, there are smiles and hugs, and people are connected. During this time they get to start getting a little loose, so it's easier to document people authentically.

I personally love this time. I even make sure to grab a drink myself. Because obviously it's a tiring day, so I grab a glass of wine, drink it, go out and document people connecting. I'm a little bit more confident - wine helps a lot, right?

That is such a beautiful time to document for your couples, especially because they want to see all of their favorite people having fun and enjoying themselves and I want to give all their guests the gift of having a memory of that day which is authentic and not just a cell phone photo. Plus, if I can walk around and follow the couple connecting with other favorite people, those are again moments that I cherish.

After all, those are my favorite photos to look back on when I was younger. When I didn't know a picture was being taken with me and my friends we were laughing, connecting. I want to give the same to my couples so that is why I'm so passionate about documenting cocktail hour that way.

8. Before They Enter the Reception

Pay attention if the couple has a moment alone before they are about to enter the reception and quietly document that from the sidelines. This is where they also connect and laugh with the wedding party. So instead of waiting for the entrance, run to the back and have a peek at what’s going on!

You don't have to be nervous to do this. You won't miss the shots of them coming in. Because guess what? No one's going to start without the photographer. Plus, you can listen to the DJ's cue. If you hear them say, “Alright guys, it's time…” then you're like, “Okay, I need to get out my ass on the dance floor,” and then you're pretty much set so there's no risk involved and that way you'll get more authentic photos.

9. During Dinner

There are a lot of different in-between moments during dinner that you can document. I don't usually shoot people eating because I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable, but during the speeches - that's where you can get some amazing shots!

An in-between moment would be, of course, documenting the reactions and people laughing and crying during a speech. But there's a bonus one that I have and I love to do if I can.

It's the couple holding hands under the table during speeches. And guess what this is one of the few times all day they get to hold on to each other for longer moments. And it's something no one else sees and feels but them. Imagine documenting that kind of moment for them where they're feeling each other's hands, using their sense of touch.

I like to go over their shoulders quickly if I can and shoot downwards over the shoulder. It ends up being such a beautiful, intimate shot.

Of course, it's not possible every time because sometimes they don't hold hands. It may not be their thing. Or maybe there's literally no space for you to go behind them at all. That's fine. If you can't do it, you can't do it. But that's one of those extra in-between moments I love documenting during dinner.

10. Party Time

So dancing is the obvious thing to document and of course, it's so crucial, but keep your eyes peeled for other things that are going on. Make sure to people watch.

I once shot a wedding where there was a group of guys huddled around their phone because the Raptors were playing. I noticed that the group was getting bigger and bigger so I kept an eye out on them. Then of course when the Raptors won, I was able to capture that moment of celebration. Now that group of guests have that awesome photo to remember that moment by, and it will also help the couple remember that that's what was happening. It was actually really funny because the bride was very chill. And she was jokingly going up to the group stealing their cell phone and then going out on the dance floor, but then she would bring it back to them. But she was so chilled out, she was making a joke of it. So it was another in-between moment that I noticed and documented.

It all tells the story of who they are as humans. It shows their personalities that tell a deeper story than just, “Okay, here you are guys dancing during the reception.” You know what I mean?

Keep in mind

These things don't always happen at every wedding. The last thing you want to do is ask them to do any of these things. Don't force it! The photos mean way more when the couple knows that it happened naturally. Trust me that things will unfold as they should for them in their story. And you're there to document the story. You're a storyteller.

As promised, I have a little cheat sheet that you can print out with all these little tips and points of reference. You can take it with you on wedding days so you can keep referencing it and improve your body of work.

Watch, listen, pay attention, and anticipate! It's all about those in-between moments. And guess what? Weddings are full of them.

Thank you!

I hope this helped you. If it did, please do me let me know by sending me a DM on Instagram (@saramonikaphoto). If you know someone who would like this too, share this blog with them!

Love you guys and thank you so much for reading!

-Sara Monika

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