Presenting Mr & Mrs – Confetti and Congratulations
The confetti shower and subsequent congratulations are dynamic times when anything can happen. It will keep your photographer on their feet. This photo is one of my favourite confetti shots, with the couple almost completely obscured by it.
Exiting the venue as husband and wife, and the subsequent posed photos, are the only parts of your day when your reportage wedding photographer may be strict about what needs to be done and the timescale (see NB below). There will be so much you want to do, yet time constraints will likely prove limiting. At this time, everyone will be vying for your attention, wanting to give you congratulatory hugs and good wishes for your future together.
NB: Wedding photographers with different shooting styles will vary. As mine is a low-key, natural style, I prefer not to dominate and to record the day as it unfolds. The more traditional photographer may want to pose and direct throughout the day.
Exiting the venue is a very exciting time for the newlyweds, and I shoot fast to photograph as many dynamic moments of joy as possible.
Sometimes, the confetti has to be set up separately from the couple leaving the venue room. I arranged it in the courtyard a few minutes after this exit shot.
Setting Up for the Venue Exit & Confetti Photography Sequence
The moment you leave the venue into the bright daylight to be showered in confetti by an avenue of guests isn’t quite as seamless as it seems. It takes a little time for the photographer to set this up, sometimes with the help of a registrar or usher. Churches and register offices differ in how they work, which slightly affects the running order.
Rachel and David’s wedding was at Morden Park House (Merton Register Office) in South London. The venue allows confetti, which makes for a great sequence of shots.
The Confetti Sequence
The confetti (where allowed) is usually thrown soon after you exit the venue. In register offices, it is usually the guests who leave the building first. The registrars may set aside time in the ceremony room for congratulations, and I make the best use of it (covered below). This all depends on the time between weddings. Some town halls are exceptionally busy, especially on Saturdays, when things are slightly rushed.
Confetti is a big part of the final stages of a Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding. With such an iconic facade in the background, it makes for some wonderful photography.
In a church, you will probably exit first and may need to return inside whilst the photographer organises your guests. In other venues, you may hang back while everyone assembles outside. This often gives the couple a few minutes to collect their thoughts and discuss what happened!
Confetti is not allowed at weddings at Castell Coch near Cardiff. Bubbles are now a popular and effective alternative.
Arranging Your Guests for the Confetti
Your photographer should then organise your guests into an aisle with each side facing the other. I ask everyone to throw confetti as the couple goes by, keeping as much of it in the air as possible. I beckon the newlyweds out, and they exit the venue in a whirl of colourful paper. Using a wide-angle lens and walking backwards away from the couple, I’m right in the middle of the action. I try not to walk into anyone or fall over, although this has happened!
With bubbles, I ask everyone to fill the air as much as possible before the happy couple walk out to maximise the effect.
For winter weddings in the dark, sparkles are an option, too, as at Andrew & Andrew’s same-sex wedding at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London.
Top Confetti Tip:
Always ask the venue, as some do not allow paper (or plastic) confetti but allow organic, biodegradable products such as petals. The council may have warned some venues about litter violations, so it is important to abide by their rules. Where confetti is not allowed at all, bubbles have become popular and can look effective in photographs.
Lindsay and Greg were somewhat spoiled: they had both petals and bubbles on their way out of the register office.
Another Top Confetti Tip:
Try colour-coordinating your confetti. If you’re having a purple wedding, choose confetti that complements this. If there is any leftover, sprinkled over the dinner tables may look good.
Very occasionally, guests forget to bring confetti, as at Andy & Chris’ small wedding. In this case, I line guests up to give a round of applause as the couple exits.
Wedding Confetti Tip 3:
If you and your guests neglect to bring confetti to your wedding, don’t worry. Often, the venue sells it or has a spare bag left from a previous wedding. If not, that’s fine. Still, leave the venue as you normally would, with your guests lined up and applauding as above.
Bride Rebecca hugs new husband Kolbe’s mum as he looks on. Unusually, this happened halfway through the ceremony. Their wedding was a tactile affair with plenty of hugging and kissing – great for photography!
Congratulations: Hugs & Kisses
When your guests finally get to congratulate you depends largely on how the day is running. Often, it’s in the ceremony room after a register office wedding. Sometimes, it takes place after the confetti, and occasionally, it’s not until the drinks reception – at hotels, this is often straight after the confetti.
I love this one: Not only is the groom’s friend clearly emotional, but his mum and dad have decided they want a hug on the right of the frame. Maybe congratulating each other on a job well done!
Difficulties with Photographic Unpredictability
This time is probably the most unpredictable of the day. Hugging shots are amazingly difficult to take, and even more difficult to take well. The photographer must work fast to capture as many emotive moments as possible. The Bride and Groom often separate at this time and receive good wishes from family and friends in different places. It is good practice to focus mainly on the bride, but I also like to take some photographs of the groom enjoying his congratulations.
Most people aren’t aware that I’m photographing them at moments such as this heartfelt congratulatory hug.
The Flattery Factor vs. A Moment in Time
Sometimes I consider omitting photos from the final edit, as they may be unflattering. The problem in taking shots like the ones above and below is that they are natural moments… snapshots in time. With still photography, facial expression matters. But so do context and emotion. These photos have both of those, although the facial expression (or flattery factor) could be better… Flattery factor? Maybe I’ve just coined a phrase!!
She was the most gorgeous bridesmaid ever! Newlywed Charlotte kisses her daughter, and it’s not quite clear who’s congratulating whom!
Consider the Venue>> Your Wedding at Insole Court/Cardiff Register Office.
This is a wider photo, which gives more context – plenty is going on. The light’s good, and it’s colourful too. A generally pleasing photograph.
A similar shot was taken at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. This time, it’s the groom kissing his bridesmaid daughter. Neither knew I was taking it.
A Friendly Nudge to Keep the Day Flowing
The moment after the confetti throwing can be when the wedding party is confused about what to do next. Most guests are reluctant to be the first to offer congratulations, and the couple may look to their photographer as if to say, “What now!”
At moments like this, I am quick to suggest that guests offer their congratulations. Your photographer is the person on hand with the experience to know what should happen and advise, and keep the day running smoothly with few pregnant pauses.
It’s often not possible for some guests to offer their congratulations until arrival at the reception venue. For this reason, I prefer to travel with the couple, so I’m on hand to capture any shots like this.
With hugging comes faces resting on shoulders. This can cause distortion, but who cares?? It’s two friends sharing a moment.
From the Groom’s point of view now. More manly, more hand-shakey, but just as fun.
2 for the price of 1: I sometimes set up where the couple is for the congratulations shots. It’s so lovely when I capture both bride and groom hugging friends or family in one shot.
Good window light and vivid colours give this hugging photo a pleasing look.
A few moments later: This was the moment Paloma met her best friend’s daughter. The little girl isn’t doing much, but her steady eye contact and slight smile really make the photo. A very special moment indeed!
Another groom’s handshake. It’s a shame that a photograph doesn’t capture sound. I often look at wedding photos and wonder what they were saying.
The moment before two people hug is often better to photograph than the hug itself. Where possible, I try to capture both.
Setting Up for Congratulations Shots
Sometimes there’s a chance to direct where the couple stands during these meetings and greetings. Often, it’s as the guests are leaving the church. If the spot they choose isn’t the best for me, I might suggest they turn slightly or stand facing the light. This is one of the few moments of manipulation a reportage photographer should give.
Often, guests can’t wait to congratulate the couple and jump in straight after the vows at the signing, such as this wedding at Bromley Civic Centre.
The couple often naturally greet people in line as they exit the venue. I’m always on the lookout for different photo opportunities.
Chapter 7: Posed Photographs – To please the In-laws? – Next>>>>
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