Top 10 (Okay, 12) Candid Wedding Moments in 2016

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a wedding photographer is experiencing first-hand the rush of emotions throughout each wedding day that we capture.  These unorchestrated moments are beautiful and tell the story of a wedding day to a much higher degree than any posed picture, which is why it is so important for us to be 100% mindful of every single person and interaction going on around us throughout the wedding day.  To be a good photographer, you have to preemptively prepare for these fleeting moments to capture them.  Today’s blog post pays tribute to my top 12 favorite emotional moments that we captured in 2016 (in no particular order.)
1.) Flower Girls’ Excitement as Bride Puts on Her Wedding Dress
This moment was completely candid, as all of the below moments are.  The flower girls were standing in *just* the right spot to have their reflection captured in the hotel closet mirror, as I was focusing on Hannah putting on her dress via her reflection in the hallway mirror.  The stars aligned!

2.) Mother of Bride Buttons Wedding Gown
Germaine had to fight back the tears as she helped her beautiful daughter, Kara, button her wedding dress.

3.) Bride’s Reveal to Mother
I just love this image sequence… Lindsay turns around to show her mother, Wendy, what she looks like in her wedding dress.


4.) Groom’s Reaction to Seeing Bride Walk Down Aisle
A moment of awe for Jeff when he sees Lauren walk down the aisle.

5.) Bride and Groom’s First Look
Risa and Andy were on Cloud 9 when they saw each other at their first look.  The world just melted into the background, and their moment was the only one that mattered.



6.) Bride and Groom with Parents
These sentimental moments were taken from the same wedding.  You can feel the love and appreciation that David and Morgan have for their parents.  The image immediately below was a moment captured after David’s father pinned his boutonniere on him, and the other two moments were captured during Morgan and David’s reception.



7.) Bride Dancing with Her Grandfather
An emotional moment as Lauren’s grandfather got up and out of his wheelchair to dance with her.  I had to wipe away my tears.

8.) Sister of Groom Sees Groom
Jamie’s reaction when she sees her little brother, Joey, dressed in his wedding attire.


9.) Bride’s Reveal to Grandparents
Kara and her grandparents the moment they walk into the getting ready room.

10.) Groom’s Reaction to Seeing Bride Walk Down Aisle
Another one of my groom favorites- Andy sees Jess walking down the aisle (they also had a first look!)

11.) Bride’s Father Sings a Surprise Song to Her
Lindsay’s father, Dave, surprised her by playing the guitar and singing “I Loved Her First” while Lindsay and Joey danced.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Including mine.




12.) Flower Girl Fun
The flower girl had a ball taking pictures throughout Risa and Andy’s wedding!  One of the bridesmaids had to rein her in!