Rhiannon Hendricks
Capturing the bond between a bride and her bridesmaids is one of the most important tasks for a wedding photographer. The photos taken on this special day will be cherished for years to come, so it's crucial to get creative with poses that highlight the love and friendship shared by the bridal party. From classic shots to fun and silly poses, there are numerous ways to capture the magic of the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bride's position | In the middle, at the front, a few steps forward |
| Bridesmaids' position | Around the bride, at the sides, in a line, in pairs, in a V formation, on the bed, walking towards the camera, sitting or standing on a staircase, leaning out to the side, laying in the grass, holding their bouquets |
| Facial expression | Smiling, laughing, kissing towards the bride, covering their faces with bouquets |
| Body position | Crouching, standing, sitting, leaning, walking, jumping, raising a glass, raising bouquets |
| Photo style | Candid, posed, close-up, full-length, group, solo, back-facing, blurred, black and white, angled, staggered |
| Photo location | Getting ready, on the bed, at the ceremony, at the reception, outdoors, on a staircase, in front of a view, in a unique venue |
Candid shots
Capturing the candid moments between a bride and her bridesmaids is one of the most important tasks for a wedding photographer. Here are some ideas for candid shots:
Getting Ready
First Look
A "first look" photo is a great way to capture the reactions of the bridesmaids when they see the bride in her dress for the first time. The bride can ask her bridesmaids to close their eyes and then do a big reveal, capturing their genuine reactions.
Helping the Bride
Walking to the Ceremony
Capturing a shot of the bride and her bridesmaids walking to the wedding ceremony is a must. This could be a photo of them walking arm-in-arm towards the camera or walking away from the camera down a corridor or street.
Confetti
A fun and playful shot is to have the bridesmaids throw confetti as they walk towards the camera. This will add a festive and celebratory element to the photo. However, this shot should be taken during the wedding reception and not before the ceremony to avoid getting confetti on the bride's dress.
Stairs
If the wedding venue has stairs, this can be a great spot for candid photos. The bride can stand front and center with her bridesmaids lined up in a V-formation behind her, or the bridesmaids can be positioned along the banister, either sitting or standing, to showcase their dresses and bouquets.
Circle of Friendship
For a more intimate and sentimental shot, the bride and her bridesmaids can form a circle, with their heads touching in the center. This photo can be taken from the waist up to capture the closeness and friendship between the women.
Natural Poses
While some posed photos are inevitable, the best candid shots are those that capture the natural moments between the bride and her bridesmaids. This could include photos of them laughing, hugging, or simply enjoying each other's company.
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Walking to the ceremony
Formations and Pairings
The bridesmaids can walk down the aisle in pairs, or individually. If the wedding party is a mix of groomsmen and bridesmaids, they can walk down the aisle in pairs, with one bridesmaid and one groomsman together. Alternatively, the groomsmen can walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridesmaids, either in pairs or individually. If the wedding party is uneven, with more bridesmaids than groomsmen, the groomsmen can walk down the aisle with two bridesmaids each.
Order
The bridesmaids can walk in front of the bride, or behind her. Traditionally, the bridesmaids would walk behind the bride, with the youngest member directly behind. However, it is becoming more common for the bridesmaids to walk first. The bridesmaids can also walk in front of the bride and her parents, or the bride and her child/children.
Walking Style
Bridesmaids should walk at a slightly slower pace than their normal walking speed. If the music is medium-paced, they can walk to the beat. It is also recommended that bridesmaids loosen up their arms and walk with their shoulders back, rather than appearing stiff or hunched over.
Interaction with Guests
Bridesmaids can smile and acknowledge the guests as they walk down the aisle. This makes for a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, and it is a nice way to include the guests in the ceremony.
Photo Opportunities
There are many photo opportunities for the bridesmaids walking to the ceremony. They can walk arm-in-arm with the bride towards the camera, showcasing the venue as a stunning backdrop. Or, they can walk away from the camera, perhaps down a long corridor. Another idea is to capture a snapshot of the bridesmaids crossing the street Abbey Road-style.
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Posing with props
Props can be a fun addition to your bridesmaids photoshoot, adding a touch of whimsy and quirkiness to your photos. Here are some ideas for posing with props:
Kaala Chashma Swag
Colourful shades can add a cool and trendy element to your photoshoot. Get your bridesmaids to don some funky sunglasses and strike a pose. This can be a fun way to express your joy and celebrate with your girls.
Diye ki Thaali
The diya or thaali is a traditional and classic symbol of marriage. Ask your bridesmaids to pose with it in style. You can even have them colour-coordinate their outfits to give the photos a more personalised and graceful touch.
Chalkboards or Placards
Vintage chalkboards or placards are not only visually appealing but also allow you to express your feelings. Each bridesmaid can write a message about the bride or groom or their relationship with the bride. It adds a playful and unique element to your pre-wedding shoot.
Umbrellas or Balloons
Umbrellas and balloons are not just for decor. They can be used as fun props to create theme-based photos. Hold colourful umbrellas overhead or in front of your face for a unique pattern. Or pose with a bunch of colourful balloons for a cheerful and playful vibe.
Alcohol Bottles
Even if you and your bridesmaids don't drink, you can fake it for the camera! Borrow some alcohol bottles and pose with them for some silly and carefree captures. If you're feeling bold, pop open a bottle of champagne and celebrate with a toast.
Sashes and Customised Robes
Sashes can be a fun prop and a way to showcase the bride's new last name or her relationship with the bridesmaids. They can also be used to add a dramatic flair to your photos. Alternatively, you can wear customised robes with fun messages or designs.
Letter Balloons
Oversized letter balloons in metallic shades can spell out the bride's or groom's name. The bridesmaids can pose with the letters to create a fun and memorable photo. Releasing the balloons at the end can make for a magical moment.
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Group shots
The Classic Group Shot
This is a classic for a reason: it's a simple, effective shot of the bride surrounded by her bridesmaids, all with big smiles on their faces. This is a great shot to get once hair and makeup are done, and everyone is looking their best.
Getting Ready
Capturing the fun and chaos of the bridal party getting ready is a great way to get some natural, candid shots. Ask the bridesmaids to lend a hand with the bride's dress, hair, veil or shoes, and make sure they are all touching the bride in some way. This will create a sense of closeness and fun.
Walking to the Ceremony
Photos with movement can be very effective. Ask the bridal party to walk towards the camera, or away from it, with the bride in the middle. You can also get a shot of the bridesmaids walking arm-in-arm with the bride, or create a fun snapshot of them crossing the street, Abbey Road-style.
The Flower Shot
If the bridesmaids are holding bouquets, you can get creative with this. Ask them to stand in a line with their backs to the camera, or get a close-up of them holding the flowers over their faces, or down by their sides. This is a great way to disguise the fact that people may be wearing masks, and it puts the focus on the flowers.
The Stairway Shot
Stairways add a dramatic flair to photos. Position the bridesmaids along the banister, sitting or standing, to showcase them all without having them too close together. The bride can stand front and centre with the bridesmaids lined up in a V-formation behind her.
The Circle Shot
For a boho-style wedding, get a picture of the bridesmaids laying in a circle in the grass with their heads touching in the centre. Flower crowns are a sweet addition to this shot. This is best done from the waist up to get a nice close-up of all the smiling faces.
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Silly poses
The "editorial" pose is a fun and playful take on the classic bride-and-bridesmaids photo. Pair the bridesmaids off in groups of two on either side of the bride, with each pair holding their bouquets differently. This pose adds a bit of variety to the standard group shot and can be made more playful with fun expressions and poses.
For a more active shot, try the "walking" pose. Ask the bride and bridesmaids to walk towards the camera while laughing and chatting together. This captures the joy and excitement of the day and can result in some beautiful candid photos.
Another idea is to have the bridesmaids shower the bride with affection. This can be done with big hugs, kisses blown in the air, or even by having the bridesmaids surround the bride and lift her up!
Props can also add a silly element to photos. Try using colourful pinwheels, or even the bridesmaids' bouquets, to add a dash of whimsy and fun.
For a more relaxed and natural shot, try a "circle of friendship" pose. This involves the bridal party sitting or lying in a circle, with their heads touching, creating a beautiful close-up of smiling faces. This pose is perfect for a boho-themed wedding or a woodland setting.
Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative with levels and angles. Have the bridesmaids lean out at different heights and directions so that everyone is visible in the photo. This works especially well if the bride is wearing a poofy dress that can easily hide the bridesmaids from view!
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Frequently asked questions
Some fun bridesmaid poses include "The Helping Hands", where each bridesmaid helps the bride with something like her dress, veil, hairstyle, or shoes; "The Kissy Face", where the bridesmaids blow kisses towards the bride; "The Pillow Fight", where the bridesmaids pretend to have a pillow fight (without actually swinging); and "The Silly Pose", where each bridesmaid does something silly, either with or without a prop.
A classic bridesmaid photo is a shot of the bride surrounded by her bridesmaids, all with big smiles on their faces. Another classic is a photo of the bridesmaids walking with the bride towards the ceremony.
To capture candid moments, allow the natural flow of emotions to guide your photos. Embrace the laughter, smiles, and shared excitement as you and your bridesmaids prepare for the wedding. Keep shooting during the bridal party's grand entrance to the reception, and capture the reactions of the bridesmaids as the bride enters. Tell inside jokes or encourage fake laughs to capture genuine smiles and laughter.
To pose confidently in bridesmaid photos, try to avoid over-practicing your poses beforehand. Instead, focus on enjoying the experience and let your photographer guide you. Stand with your hips rotated 45 degrees away from the camera, put your weight on your back foot, and elongate the other leg by crossing it in front with the foot pointed towards the camera. Lift your arms out to the sides to give your biceps and triceps breathing room, and remember to smile!
