"We’re not interested in all posed photos.”

”We were drawn to how natural all of your wedding images look”

”I don’t want to do it like everyone else”

So you’ve been dreaming of having a wedding that doesn’t feel like one ten hour photo session with a new group of poses to do every 60 minutes? We have some gentle advice on how to steer clear of tradition and get beautiful, honest photos in the process.

Ditch the Traditional High points
You don’t have to stand in a straight line with your wedding party to get photos with them. But you want photos together, right? Plan an activity to do together. Go bowling. Hit your favorite pub. Play foosball with your Mariachi band. Do something as a friend group for an hour or two where you can actually have fun with your friends and get great photos.
You don’t have to do the garter toss
You don’t have to have a 15 person wedding party
You don’t have to wear white
You don’t have to invite everyone you know
But you can do all of those things if they are something you’ve always wanted and they feel like they represent you as a couple. Just don’t plan to do anything that will make you very uncomfortable just because that’s what you’re supposed to do at a wedding.
Instead of saying“okay now what do we do?”, try thinking “What do I want to do next.”
If you’ve decided you want to see each other before your ceremony, set your intentions for that moment together before your wedding day. This isn’t a photo op. It’s seeing the love of your life before making vows of unending love. (Yeah, I know. I’m getting deep here. ;) ) This is a moment for the two of you to have an authentic moment together away from the pressure and eyes of guests. We’ll photograph what happens naturally between you two. (This is also not a moment for you to complain about something your significant other forgot about or did wrong. ;) Do you want to read your vows privately? Do you want to go get a glass of champagne and toast to your future? It doesn’t have to be stiff. You can do whatever you want to do!

Not thrilled with the idea of a first look or a traditional “see you at the end of the aisle”? Get ready together privately. In your home or a nice airbnb with plenty of open lit area.

3. Keep your timeline loose.

It’s 100% good to have a basic timeline for the day of whether you want a documentary, laid back style day or not. Don’t plan your day in 15 minute increments if you’re not looking to have a day where you feel rushed the entire time trying to make it on time to the next photo event. Keep the main events as bullet points and relax your way through the day.

4. Hire a planner + don’t leave anything for the last minute

A stress free wedding is the easiest way to live in the moment and enjoy your day. Hire a planner and be very open and honest about wanting a non traditional wedding. Let them know you’d like to get everything done ahead of time and not leave any details to stress out about last minute. There are a couple amazing planners in St. Louis who are perfect for a documentary style wedding with amazing style and details and we’ll tag them below.

5. Prep your family and friends

The last thing you want is to be pressured into traditions that don’t feel like you. Let your family (Parents, Grandparents, and Aunts especially) that you are having a wedding that reflects the two of you as a couple and that they don’t need to stress about your photo and video team missing those traditional photos. They’re only job is to celebrate you, honor your wishes, and have a great time.

6. Embrace imperfection

Part of the beauty of a documentary style wedding is that you let go of this idea of a perfect day where everything goes exactly according to the pinterest board of your dreams. and instead end up with a day filled with memories that you actually lived in and experienced fully without thinking of how it could have gone better.

Relax, smile, enjoy your wedding day and your photos will be unlike anyone else’s wedding photos because they’ll be a perfect reflection of your day.
It’s the freakin best.
Rosalie