2017 Favorite Wedding Party Portraits | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Looking back on this past year, I am LOVING the color schemes, backdrops, enthusiasm, and the beautiful friends I photographed in these photos below! As beautiful as these captured moments are, we also had some challenges. Whether we were in the midst of a crazy rain/snow storm and had to seek shelter … or hair and makeup ran behind schedule and left us with 5 minutes to get the bridal party portraits done … or it was scorching hot outside and I didn’t want them to be miserable before the ceremony, we always made it work!!! 🙂 And gosh, I’m so appreciative of the positivity the wedding party shed on the couple in what could have been a stressful situation!!!

The wedding party has a special role on the wedding day and that is to be the couples’ support team! The bridal party and groomsmen aren’t just the team who helps plan and party leading up to the big day. They are to stand by the bride and groom for life. <3 That’s a huge responsibility!!!! And very honorable. Bridesmaids and groomsmen will serve as the support system for the couple in their new life together. 🙂 They will encourage and remind the couple of their vows when times get difficult. This special group consists of brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, coworkers, parents, and family. I’ve also seen couples of mine who choose to not have a distinctive wedding party who stands at the altar, but instead, an honorable wedding party. In that case, their friends were told to dress in a particular color and were given a special role on the day of the wedding, like say a reading or help welcome guests. I love seeing what each of my couples do to make the wedding about them, and not necessarily what tradition says to do. 🙂

From a photographers’ standpoint, it’s important to have photos of the bride and groom with the wedding party! I love capturing them in their element together, even if the group hasn’t known each other for very long. The couple have special relationships with each and every one of their party members, so other than the group photos, I also make sure they have personal photos with each of their girls/guys. I enjoyed seeing these groups of women and men come together to take photos with their best friends!!! I loved getting to meet and know these friends the past year, and cannot wait to meet more special friends over the years to come! <3