Deborah Chan
The wedding kiss is a highly anticipated moment, symbolizing the couple's love and commitment and marking the beginning of their journey as a married couple. While it is a deeply intimate and emotional experience for the newlyweds, it is also a performance for the audience of family and friends, often prompting questions about the appropriate duration and level of passion. The consensus is that a wedding kiss should be kept short and sweet, with photographers recommending a duration of around 3 to 5 seconds to capture the perfect shot without making guests uncomfortable. However, some couples may opt for a more spontaneous approach, embracing the moment with a natural, unchoreographed kiss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal duration | 3-5 seconds or 3-5 "Mississippis" |
| Maximum duration | 10 seconds |
| Type of kiss | Sweet, natural, G-rated, no tongue |
| Number of kisses | More than one |
| Planning | Shouldn't be overplanned, but some discussion and practice are recommended |
| Photographer | Should be considered when planning the kiss |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the wedding kiss feel natural
The first kiss as a married couple is a highly intimate and unforgettable moment. It is a symbol of love and commitment, and while it is a very special moment, it can also feel awkward. Here are some tips to make it feel more natural:
Plan and practice
While you may want some spontaneity, having a general idea of your first kiss game plan will help make it perfect. Discuss what you both want the kiss to look like, and consider practising beforehand. You can record yourselves doing a few kisses and then watch to see what looks and feels best. This will help you feel more comfortable and natural on the day.
Hand placement
Decide on the hand placement that works for you. Some popular options include holding hands, a partial embrace with hands on each other's waists, or a passionate 'face grab'. Choose what feels most comfortable and natural for you as a couple.
Duration
Most photographers recommend a kiss of around 3 to 5 seconds for the first kiss. This is long enough to get quality photos and to be intimate, without making your guests uncomfortable. You can always sneak in another kiss later, as you head down the aisle, to ensure you get that perfect photo.
Keep it natural
The type of kiss you share should feel natural for you and your partner. Think about how you usually kiss and choose something similar. A quick peck may come off as insincere, but you also don't want a full-on make-out session. Aim for a kiss that is affectionate, sweet, and sincere.
Avoid the dramatics
While a dramatic dip might seem romantic, it could end in disaster if you or your partner end up on the ground. If you want to include a dip, be sure to practice first. Also, remember to keep your tongue in your mouth and avoid any overly passionate open-mouth kissing.
Final tips
Close your eyes when you kiss to make it more passionate and less awkward. Make eye contact, smile, and slowly approach each other to make the moment more intimate and easier to photograph. Ask your officiant to step to the side before pronouncing you as a married couple, so they don't accidentally photobomb your first kiss.
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How to pose for wedding kiss photos
Capturing the perfect wedding kiss photo is key to preserving memories of your special day. A beautifully taken kissing photo is timeless and symbolises the love between you and your partner. While it might seem natural, a few simple steps can ensure these moments look amazing on camera.
- Practice beforehand: While you don't need to over-rehearse, a bit of practice can help calm any nerves. It also ensures that you'll feel confident and ready for the camera when the big moment comes. You can even set a timer on your camera to get an idea of how it looks.
- Focus on each other, not the camera: The key to a natural kiss is to relax and focus on each other, not the camera. Avoid overthinking the pose and opt for a gentle kiss or a forehead-to-forehead moment.
- Slow down and relax: With these tips, your wedding kiss photos will be timeless keepsakes, showcasing the love and joy you share with your partner. Slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment—this will naturally reflect in your photos.
- Use your hands: Hands are a key part of body language, and naturally incorporating them enhances the emotional tone of the photo. Whether you gently touch your partner's face, hold their waist, or place a hand on their shoulder, these subtle movements create a sense of intimacy.
- Consider your setting: Pay attention to positioning, angle, and body language to enhance the intimacy and warmth of the moment. Consider the setting for added magic.
- Keep it PG-rated: Keep things tasteful and avoid an open-mouth kiss. Remember, you don't want your guests to feel like they're getting a preview of your wedding night!
- Smile: Remember to smile before and after the kiss for a more joyful, authentic photo. Don't be afraid to laugh a little, too—this is a happy moment!
- Close your eyes: Closed eyes typically convey romance and focus on the moment, while open eyes can sometimes appear staged.
- Ask your officiant to step aside: Before the wedding day, ask your officiant to please step off to the side before they pronounce you as a married couple. This will give you a clean shot of your first kiss without their head popping into the background.
- Hold the kiss: Kiss a little longer than might feel comfortable to help guarantee your photographer gets the shot. Most photographers recommend 5 quick seconds or '3 Mississippis' for the first kiss.
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How long is too long for a wedding kiss
The wedding kiss is a special moment and the first kiss as newlyweds. It is a symbol of love and commitment and signifies the end of the wedding ceremony. While it is a highly anticipated moment, it can be a source of anxiety for some couples, especially those who are introverts or not used to public displays of affection (PDA).
So, how long is too long for a wedding kiss? Well, it's important to strike a balance. On the one hand, you want to give your photographer enough time to capture beautiful photos of the moment. On the other hand, you don't want the kiss to feel awkwardly long for your guests. Most sources recommend a wedding kiss should last around 3 to 5 seconds. This duration is long enough to capture the moment and create an intimate experience without making your guests uncomfortable.
However, it's worth noting that some couples prefer to keep it shorter, especially if they are uncomfortable with PDA. A quick peck is probably too short, but a kiss lasting 2 to 3 seconds can still be intimate and provide enough time for a photo. On the other hand, some couples might want to go a little longer, up to 10 seconds, to savour the moment and ensure they get a great photo.
Ultimately, the perfect wedding kiss is one that feels natural and authentic to the couple. It's a good idea to discuss the wedding kiss beforehand and decide on a few key details, such as the duration, but not to overthink it or plan it too meticulously. The key is to relax and let the magic of the moment take over.
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Should you practice the wedding kiss beforehand
The wedding kiss is a highly anticipated moment, symbolizing the couple's love and commitment and marking the beginning of their journey as a married couple. While it is a special and intimate moment, it can also be a source of anxiety for some couples, especially those who are not accustomed to public displays of affection (PDA).
So, should you practice the wedding kiss beforehand? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. While it is essential to discuss and plan certain aspects of the kiss, such as the level of PDA, hand placement, and duration, practicing the kiss itself over and over again may not be necessary and could even make the moment feel forced and less natural.
Discuss expectations and comfort levels
Before the wedding, have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your expectations and comfort levels regarding the wedding kiss. Decide on the type of kiss that feels natural and authentic to both of you. Discuss how long you want the kiss to last, taking into account the recommendations of photographers, who suggest a duration of around 2 to 5 seconds to capture the perfect shot without making guests uncomfortable.
Consider your personalities and comfort with PDA
If you and your partner are introverts or not used to PDA, you may find it helpful to practice kissing in a way that feels comfortable for both of you. This could include recording yourselves and reviewing the footage to see what feels and looks best. Practicing can help you feel more relaxed and natural during the actual moment.
Plan key details but leave room for spontaneity
While it's important to discuss and plan certain aspects of the kiss, such as hand placement and duration, don't over-choreograph it. The wedding kiss should feel spontaneous and authentic. A little bit of planning can help ensure you're both on the same page, but leave room for the magic of the moment to take over.
Communicate with your photographer
Your wedding photographer can provide valuable guidance on how to pose and kiss for the best photos. Consider an engagement shoot beforehand to help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera and with kissing in front of the photographer. Ask for their recommendations on the duration and type of kiss that will result in the most flattering photos.
In conclusion, whether or not to practice the wedding kiss beforehand depends on your personalities, comfort levels, and preferences. While it's important to discuss and plan certain aspects, the key is to find a balance between staging and spontaneity. Remember, the wedding kiss is a special moment that should ultimately feel natural and authentic to both of you.
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What to do if you don't want a public first kiss
The first kiss as a married couple is a big deal, and it can be a nerve-wracking experience to do so in front of your friends and family. If you don't want a public first kiss, there are a few things you can do to make the moment more private and intimate.
Firstly, communicate your wishes to your wedding officiant. They can help you edit the ceremony script so that the moment is not missed by your guests, and you both feel comfortable. For example, you could ask them to step to the side before pronouncing you as a married couple, so they don't end up in your wedding kiss photo. You could also ask them to change the traditional "you may now kiss the bride" line to something that feels more comfortable for you.
Another option is to skip the first kiss altogether and go straight to your post-ceremony celebrations. You can then choose to have your first kiss as a married couple in private, away from the eyes of your guests. Alternatively, you could plan a private moment during the reception when you can sneak away for a quiet moment together and share your first kiss.
If you still want to include a kiss in your ceremony but are worried about doing so in front of everyone, consider having a private kiss before the ceremony. This way, you can still have a special moment without the pressure of an audience. You could also choose to have a "first kiss" photo taken before the ceremony and use it as a way to get more comfortable in front of the camera.
Remember, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and happy with your decision. Talk to your partner and decide what feels right for both of you. It's your day, and you can choose how you want to celebrate it.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding kiss should be long enough for the photographer to capture the moment, but not so long that it becomes uncomfortable for your guests. Most photographers recommend a quick kiss of about 5 seconds or "3 Mississippis".
It's a good idea to discuss your wedding kiss with your partner before the big day. Talk about what kind of kiss it will be, how long it will last, and what you will do with your head and hands. However, don't overplan or it may look forced.
It's important to keep the kiss G-rated and avoid any open-mouth kissing or excessive PDA. Make sure to close your eyes when you kiss, as it will look more passionate and less awkward. You can also add a dip or a hug to make the moment more dramatic and intimate.
Ask your officiant to step to the side before pronouncing you as a married couple so that they don't end up in the background of your kiss photo. You can also sneak in another kiss halfway down the aisle to capture a photo with your guests in the background.
While the first kiss is a traditional part of a wedding ceremony, it is not mandatory. You can change it up or even ditch the kiss entirely if you're not comfortable with public displays of affection.
