Wedding Sparklers
Champagne Toast Wedding Photography
Effortless Destination Wedding Reception
Newlyweds at Destination Wedding Dinner
Smiley Bride During First Dance
Engaging Wedding Speech at Vermont Reception
First Dance At Sunset
Fireworks on the Dance Floor
A Fun Farewell
Sparks Flying
Intricate Wedding Reception Table Decoration
Wine Glass Wedding Reception Cheers
Backyard Wedding Wide Shot
newlyweds holding lanterns
Newlyweds During Toasts
First Dance on Light Up Stage
Reception Tables on the Ocean
Groom With Lipstick Stain
Bride Onstage
Peekaboo Bride
Destination Portrait Photography
Bride and Groom First Dance
Hilton Head Tented Weddings
Vermont Bride Wedding Speech
DJ Dance Floor Lighting Design
Delighted Bridesmaid at Cabo Reception
First Dance Eye Contact Portrait
Romantic Destination Wedding Fireworks
Spotlight First Dance
Spontaneous Dance Floor Kiss
Reception Whisper Between Bride and Groom
Say Cheese or Say Cake
The Groom Dips the Bride
Let's Slow It Down For a Moment
The Only Two People In the World Reception Kiss
Mother Daughter Wedding Reception Flower Crowns
Bride Laughing
Romantic Dance
Bride Laughing During Best Man Speech
Wedding Guest Disco
Bride and Groom Give Toast
Looking Forward and Looking Back
Tented Reception at Shelburne Museum
Charleston Gay Weddings
Well-Lit Vermont Summer Wedding Reception
Intimate Destination Wedding Photography
Newlyweds Sing With The Band
Destination Wedding Toast
Intimate First Dance Rehearsal
Golden Hour Wedding Reception
Horah in Gorgeous Vermont Wedding Tent
I Dare You To Jump In The Pool
Wedding DJ Dance Floor Vibes
Beginning of the First Dance
Cake Tasting
Intimate Reception Moment
Wedding Speech Cheer
Elegant First Dance Dip
Black and White Blonde Bride
bride laughing with grandma
Wedding Reception Break Dance
Lit-up Mason Jars Above Kiss
Bride and Groom Entrance
Dancing at the Bar
Post-Wedding Firework Halo

The Wedding Reception


Hooray! Now that you've made it to the reception, the rest is cake--literally. Ensuring great photographs at your reception is all about planning and creating a timeline that flows easily from one event to the next. For example, if you are having a sit-down dinner, schedule the speeches while everyone is eating so I can capture your guests laughing and enjoying the speeches.

Dance the Night Away (With Your Partner)
It might sound like a ridiculous thing to say, but for the sake of your photos, please PLEASE dance with your new spouse. My job is to get beautiful shots of the two of you together, and the ones of you dancing are always some of the best.

Dealing With Darkness
The sun is setting on your wedding day, the DJ is starting his show, and the drinks are flowing. This is the most fun part of the evening for you and your guests and the most challenging for your photographer, especially if you have an outdoor wedding. Your reception site will be unforgettable, but it will probably also be quite dark.

So what can you do to get great reception photos when the lighting is challenging? Work with your wedding coordinator and location manager to brainstorm lighting solutions based on your budget. You'll need enough light for the photographer to focus the camera on fast-moving targets, like dancers and revelers, so the more ambient light, the better. Speak to your DJ in advance to see what kind of lights he or she is bringing and if you have options. Multi-colored DJ lights are one of the reasons photographers favor black and white and sepia tones in reception photos. (It just looks better than seeing friends and family bathed in lime green light.)

Creating Ambient Light Creatively
Sparklers make a fun addition to the evening. I suggest having your guests light their sparklers during the introduction of the couple to the reception, first dance or cake cutting.

Fireworks can be spendy, but really get the party started. It is a good idea to have the fireworks launch at the end of the bride and groom's first dance.

Love Lanterns are lovely and make for stunning photos. [Practice lighting them in advance and be sure to have an excess of lighting tools and a few people on hand to help get them lit.