Your wedding photos will be treasured mementos of your wedding day for the rest of your life.  In most cases, your photographer will chronicle the day and you’ll have a photo of just about every detail as it unfolded. Some photographers do staged “fun” shots of the couple and/or bridesmaids. but I wonder how much those shots will really be treasured. To be honest, some can look a bit “cheesy” and they take a lot of time to organize, photograph, etc. And is the result really something that you will treasure?

When you meet with your photographer, you should have the opportunity to go over the shots that you want included, the special people you want photographed, etc. To help you narrow down the shots that will mean something to you long after the wedding, I want to share 5 photos that aren’t to be missed …  that aren’t “cheesy” and that will hold up over time … that will serve you now and for years to come.

1. Bridesmaid’s relation to bride
2. Bridesmaids in their “getting ready” spa robes
3. The couple with their pet
4. The guests forming a heart
5. An artistic photo of the couple

And the most important aspect of these photos is that they are perfect for framing … either in a typical 5″ x 7″ or 8″ x 10″ size but even bigger on canvas!

Bridesmaid’s relation to bride. I’m not much for gimmicky photos but I really think this is cute. The boards will indicate when the bride and bridesmaid met. Some add the date to the board, as well. Just be sure that it is shot in non-glaring light so that the words can be easily read.  I think this is a fun photo idea, but not cheesy!

Bridesmaids in their “getting ready” spa robes. Another bridesmaids’ shot that shouldn’t be missed is of your bridesmaids getting ready for the ceremony in their spa robes. This is a chance for your girls to be in a relaxed pose, having fun, yet not be wearing their bridesmaids dresses. I do like the technique used in the photo below of having the bridesmaids dresses in the photo, but not being worn.

The couple with their pet. If you have a pet that means a lot to you as a couple, having him or her as part of your wedding in some way is a must! Here is a photo idea that will mean the world to you over the years.

The guests forming a heart. Most photographers don’t try to get a shot of all wedding guests together! But if done as shown below, you have a great view of all your guests and a keepsake photo that is worthy of being framed. I’ve seen this type of shot done from all sorts of angles. Some are from very high up and while the heart shape does look good, the guests themselves don’t show up very well. I think there is a happy medium such as shown below. The heart is still visible but yet most of the guests can be  identified.

An artistic photo of the couple. And while you are looking your best and have a photographer at hand, why not do a once-in-a-lifetime artistic shot of the two of you. A keepsake that you will enlarge to a huge size and hang on the wall to be a lasting memento of your big day and serve as a work of art, as well. To be truly artistic and evoke emotion it needs a special touch and if you have a great photographer they should be able to capture this for you. This is not just a photo of the two you but one that has the right setting and the right emotional appeal.  It’s hard to explain what makes an artistic shot, but you will know it when you see it! And to describe it in one word: “EMOTION”!

We have a Pinterest board, Artistic Wedding Photos of the Bride and Groom for lots more ideas.