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As
a wedding photographer, I’ve been to a lot of weddings – big and small,
extravagant and simple, formal and rowdy. And what makes a wedding a joyous
celebratory event that moves even an observer like myself (and results in great
photos) is chemistry.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, when you’re
planning a wedding, you’re creating chemistry. Of course you and your guests
bring your relationships and attitudes with you, but the venue you choose, the
music, and your own approach to the day all lend themselves to a certain kind of
energy. And if you’re aware of that from the start, you can help create a day
that’s joyous, memorable, and all you that want it to be.
There is such a thing as too much space.
In my experience, when receptions are too
spread out, the energy starts to run thin. A big estate with multiple rooms and
outdoors spaces where people can roam about might seem like a good idea, but I’d
vote in favor of a more contained space. Your wedding isn’t the time or place
for people to split up into small groups for intimate chats. It’s a meeting of
the tribes, the one day in your life when you’ll have all the people you both
love in one place. And bringing them together, to meet, talk, dance, and rejoice
with you, and with one another, produces a true celebration.
It’s a day to get dressed up – and stay that
way.
In my personal life, I’m not a jacket-and-tie
guy. But I’ve come to believe that weddings should be a dress-up occasion. Even
if you’re going for a beach wedding on the Vineyard, having everyone look their
best creates a sense of celebration. And if you want to let guests change from
their party duds to volleyball clothes, hold off at least until your band
finishes one set. You’ll be especially glad you did when you get your photos
back, and it looks like the special occasion it is, rather than a company
picnic.
Suddenly, everyone knows how to dance.
If there’s one place to see people having a blast
on the dance floor, it’s at a wedding. From Grandpa to the flower girl and the
inevitable Guest-in-the-Scandalous-Dress, even confirmed wallflowers are up
shaking their groove thang. It’s one of the greatest things about weddings – but
only if the music is music you can dance to. So save the jazz band for the
cocktail hour. And don’t discount a few more accessible tunes. Even if Sister
Sledge doesn’t rate space on your iPod®,
getting down with your Great Aunt Iris and your four-year-old nephew just might
become one of your best memories of the day. Plus, it’ll make for great wedding
photos, which you’ll have long after the final strains of We Are Family
fade away.
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