As a wedding photographer who has captured the special moments of over 350 brides walking down the aisle, from so many different cultural backgrounds, I’d like to share some tips on how to make your walk down the aisle go smoothly.
It’s understandable to feel nervous, and your bridesmaids may also share your jitters. However, with these tips, we can help make your experience a little easier and ensure that we capture the perfect shots of your grand entrance.
Walking Down the Aisle? Here are some Tips!
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Don’t worry too much about what the kids are doing.
Firstly, don’t stress about the page boys and flower girls. No matter what they do, it will be awesome and fun for everyone. Kids at weddings are always ‘fun’ either completely out of control, or cute and adorable – either way they add some great charm to your day.
Let them walk together for more confidence, and if they make a mistake, go with it, as it will be a memorable moment.
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Don’t Rush
Take your time walking down the aisle. Don’t rush it, walk at a normal pace and soak in the moment. The wedding ceremony is all about the bride and groom, so don’t look at the camera. Instead, concentrate on the important things like looking at your partner, family, and friends smiling at you.
Not looking at the camera is important, it just looks so forced if you do so during such an emotion time as walking down the aisle!
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Be sure there is space between bridesmaids
I highly recommend instructing your bridesmaids to take their time walking down the aisle and to leave a generous gap between each other. Despite being your closest friends, most bridesmaids tend to be nervous, and walking too close to each other can make it difficult for me to capture clear shots of them. So, encourage them to spread out and create enough space for each to shine on their own.
A great way to be sure everyone is on the same page here is to have a rehearsal – and you can make a bit of a day of it, take them out to lunch or something, or make use of your wonderful venue if they are open – like most wineries.
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Consider going unplugged
Consider having an unplugged ceremony, where guests are present and watching the ceremony, instead of trying to film or photograph it through their phones.
This not only allows your guests to be more ‘connected’ to what is actually going on, but it also looks so much better in your wedding photos if nobody is holding their phone or ipads!
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Think about who is going to walk you down the aisle
Traditionally, the father walks the bride down the aisle, but there is no reason why both parents can’t walk their daughter down the aisle or other alternatives like the bride walking herself, the groom walking up to meet the bride halfway down the aisle, or a stepfather walking the bride halfway down and then passing her to the biological dad.
It would also be very cute to incorperate fur babies like dogs into the entrance if your venue allows it!
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Think about suppliers
It is important to tell your videographer not to walk down with you. It may seem like a strange point, but some videographers follow the bride down the aisle from the front. This can be intrusive and take away from the experience of walking down the aisle.
It might look great in your video, but the moment will be lost and chances are the photos you get will feature your videographer!
Something that really gets people talking and can make things very memoriable is engaging in a transport supplier like a flashy car, or helicopter? Perhaps even arrive by parachute if you’re that way inclined! Whatever you do just make sure it speaks to your personality, and have fun with it!
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Think about how your groom or bride is going to be standing at the end of your entrance
One of my favourite photos to capture at a wedding is the reaction of (usually) the groom at the end of the aisle seeing his bride approach for the first time.
It’s so much fun seeing how they react! Be if tears, laughter or simply not even able to be looking in the direction of the bride! Whatever they do it speaks to their personality and makes the photography that much more special.
Think about how they are going to be standing at the end. Will they be facing away from you like they do in some customs, or will they turn around as you’re half way down the aisle? Or simply just standing they watching you enter?
Lastly, remember that it is your wedding, and there are no rules. Walk down the aisle however you want, whether it’s dancing, laughing, hugging family members, blowing kisses, crying, spinning, or singing.
In conclusion, walking down the aisle is an essential moment in a wedding ceremony. It’s essential to take the time to enjoy and embrace the experience. With these tips, it can be a much more comfortable and unforgettable experience.
