pictures are from Pinterest
Wedding photography is a mixture of documentary and editorial approaches, when most pictures are taken spontaneously (except for the formal portraits) but in the most beautiful reality. Even if you don't hire wedding designers and stylists, lots of thought will be put into every little detail on how to make your wedding a beautiful and, at the same time, meaningful event that will reflect who you are as a couple. There are still some things, often overlooked, that can, from my point of view, either spoil or make the pictures outstanding. First of all, let's think, what do we love about pictures?
Composition
This is the task of the wedding photographer, who will frame the pictures nicely and intuitively, as everything will happen quickly with no time to think how to apply the composition rules. Trust your photographer (and hire the one whose style and aesthetic views inspire you).
Location
Every wedding location, be it a historic church or a villa at the lake, the garden of an ancient castle, or a farmhouse with olive trees, has its own special beautiful features. Make them present in the whole concept of your wedding, and use them. While selecting the venues, think also of the wedding timeline, and make sure that the open-air ceremony is not held at midday when the sun is at its highest point, thus creating strong contrast and shadows.
Details
Weddings are all about details, it might be a veil or antique brooch that has been in the family for generations, elements of the cake decor, or flower girl accessories - there is always something special. And this is what transforms a nice event into an unforgettable one. Add special touches to show your own personal wedding style. Pick songs for the ceremony that are meaningful for you, write your own wedding vows, and make the menu based on your favourite food. Rent a beautiful oldtimer or a boat and decorate with flowers (and a "Just Married" sign! ). Decorate your exit from the church (civil registration office, etc) with flower confetti - there is no more beautiful way to make your ceremony pictures unforgettable than the shower of gorgeous flower petals, they are extremely photogenic! Repetition is key to creating a cohesive design. Even a few properly placed items in perfectly repetitive harmony can make a huge visual impact. Bring contrast to the chosen style. It could be a minimalist modern wedding with bold opulent silhouettes and wildly feminine details. Whether walking down the aisle in draped satin or layers of ruffles, embrace the elegant side of your personal style and give it a modern twist.
Stationary
When it comes to invitations and other wedding paper goods, less is really more, don't make it look complicated, try to not incorporate too many details into the design. I can highly recommend you Letterpress Manufaktur MiliaInk https://www.instagram.com/milia_ink/
Milia Ink Design http://miliaink.com
Please, please don't forget to indicate in your invitations the dress-code: "white-tie", "black-tie", "festive attire", "festlich elegant". Don't be shy to ask your guests to dress up, it's just a formality (though tuxedos, floor-length evening gowns or festive cocktail dresses will definitely do give a nice flair to the pictures!)
Flowers
Add personal touches to your flowers - whether it's the feeling of your childhood home or a place you stayed and loved - jasmine vines, garden roses, the lilac in your schoolyard or clematis in the grandmother's garden. Loose shapes and soft feminine colours tied with velvet ribbon for a soft touch.
Getting ready
The most important thing is you look like yourself, let the beauty you possess shine through by highlighting your best features. Avoid trying a completely different look or heavier makeup, keep it simple. Some muah artists think of weddings as long hours performances and prepare the brides like actresses for the stage - lots of long holding hairsprays, several layers of waterproof foundations and heavy eyelashes - so that a person sitting in the last raw in the church will be able to see you ... what about the person who will spend this Day closest to you, will he enjoy this dramatic appearnce? :)
Bride's dressing room can be a part of the hotel or your home. It certainly always helps if the room is beautiful in terms of interior and light, but in any case I would recommend to remove everything that clutters the space - unnecessary pieces of furniture, clothes and hangers, empty bags etc. The wedding dress deserves its own portrait as well as the shoes, the rings and the flowers (ask the florist to send all your wedding flowers to you in the morning), put aside the wedding invitations. I will take pictures of these beautiful details, have some shots of you and your bridesmaids doing your hair and makeup and document the whole atmosphere of the getting ready time, with all the family and close friends, who either with you in the room the whole time or visit you from time to time in anticipation of the coming ceremony.
During the preparation, there should be also some time dedicated just for you alone. How often do you hire a hair stylist, a makeup artist and a photographer? Even if you are shy in front of the camera, just trust the professionals and you will see beautiful portraits of yourself afterwards. For the boudoir shots I would recommend to have an "in-between" version of hair and makeup.
pictures are taken from Pinterest
After taking boudoir shots, I will go to the Groom's dressing room and then come back to the Bride to document the moment of putting on the dress. I would recommend to ask your mom or bridesmaids (with the hair done and dressed beforehand) to participate in this shot.
Civil wedding ceremony
Choose an alternative place to register your marriage, there are lots of stunning authentic locations that will make you feel a part of Swiss history.
The Zunfthaus zur Waag (the guild house of linen weavers) built in 1287 is one of four licensed wedding venues in Zurich. You can set your wedding date and make a booking at the Registry Office, Zurich Town Hall.
Portraitsaal in Rathaus of Lucerne is one of the most beautiful places to register the marriage in the whole Switzerland.
Outdoor celebration
pictures are taken from Pinterest
Outdoor weddings always have a very special ambience. They are beautifully intimate with warm and welcoming feel, they are about bringing your favourite people, sharing your favourite food and celebrating till the dawn under fabulous lanterns. Think of a big farm table adorned with rustic benches, beautiful fabric, antique cutlery, a handwritten or letter-pressed menu, timeless place-card holders that will rise the style.
Indoor celebration
Sometimes you hardly have freedom to express yourself celebrating indoors, you can do something about flower arrangements, chairs perhaps and paper goods (menus and escort cards), the chairs can transform the whole look of the space into something elegant and refined. Match your chair treatments to your wedding style. Consider decorating hairbacks with flowers.
to be continued ...