I think it is really important to incorporate parents in a significant way in the day because oftentimes this is a bigger deal to them than we, as the couple getting married, way bigger deal than we realize for this to be a moment in their life. I don’t like doing parent first looks. I’m totally fine if that’s something the client wants, but I don’t like doing them because arranging the first look, somebody going out of the room, making sure that those people don’t see each other all morning before the bride. Is ready or before the groom is ready, and then arranging this special moment where oftentimes you’re making everybody else clear the room, it actually ends up adding ten or 15 minutes to the timeline for each one of those first looks that you want to do. So I think that if it really is important to get somebody’s reaction, like if your dad’s going to freak out over your dress, like, yes, absolutely, do a first look. But if not, do something like a gift exchange. Put in your timeline that you want your mom to be ready at a certain time and have them be there when you’re putting your dress on or having your final, or for the groom, putting on your jacket or your corsage. And then have them moment with them where you actually speak to each other and make sure your photographer is there to capture that.

Are you currently planning your wedding and you just don’t know how to make more beautiful, intentional moments for photos with either your parents or just those VIPs on your wedding day? Here’s an idea for you. My name is Hannah. I’m a wedding photographer here at Stay Golden Collective in Southern California. So lots of times on a wedding day, the only time we get for photos with our parents is usually just the formal family pictures and the first dances. Now, don’t get me wrong. Those can be some beautiful, beautiful photos, and they’re usually some of my favorites. The father daughter dance always makes me cry, and it’s just one of the best moments on a wedding day. But what if you want to have more than just those photos with your parents, especially the groom? Lots of times, a bride will do a first look with her father, but what about the groom? There’s usually not an extra moment besides the dances that you get for photos with the groom’s parents or just a special person in his life. So one idea that I just love is a letter or gift exchange. You can schedule this into your timeline and just have a private moment with each of your parents or just special person and just exchange a letter with them, just telling them how much you love them and just how you can thank them for raising you into the person that you are and in the person that your husband or wife is now going to marry. These make for some beautiful photos and just something a little extra.