What Is a Formal Session + Why You Need One For Your Wedding
Formal sessions might be my most favorite thing to photograph during the entire wedding experience. It's the first time the couple is together as bride and groom and I get to photograph them getting a glimpse into what their beautiful future looks like together. Formals always make for the most stunning portraits and I think every couple should have them done!
WHAT ARE FORMALS?
If you are wondering what exactly a formal session entails, it's like a pre-wedding day, where both the bride and groom get to have an intimate moment together before their big day. Traditionally, one would do a bridal photoshoot where it is just the bride who was photographed before the wedding day. But it's more common now, and my preference, to include the groom for a formal photoshoot session. While formals do include pictures of the bride and groom separately, they also include many beautiful moments with the bride and groom photographed together as future man and wife. These are the photos that are absolutely stunning and a forever keepsake.
WHEN + WHERE + HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE?
Formal sessions usually take place anywhere from a few months to a few weeks to a few days before the wedding. The timeline just depends on the couple and when they are prepared to be photographed in their wedding attire. The actual time formal sessions take to photograph is generally between 1-2 hours.
The location can either be at your wedding venue or you can choose a different location altogether. I personally love when couples choose a location that is different from their venue so they can have a diverse wedding gallery. I recommend you find somewhere beautiful, intimate, and secluded--a place you can't take your entire wedding party to so it's a location just the two of you will share together. I love going to beautiful outdoor locations or somewhere that has stunning architectural structures.
WHAT ABOUT A “FIRST LOOK”?
During a formal session, my most favorite part to photograph is a "First Look". While it isn’t something that you have to do at a formal session, I highly recommend you do! A first look at the formal session gives the two of you a chance to see each other for the first time as future man and wife, without all the onlookers during your wedding ceremony. It's the most private and intimate moment for your groom to his future wife in your dress. Don't feel pressured to have a certain response to one another during the moment, because there is no right or wrong way to do a first look moment. No matter the response, the moment will be incredibly special to the two of you, and definitely a moment you will want to be photographed.
HOW DO WE PLAN FOR A “FIRST LOOK” MOMENT?
Doing a first look moment during your formals does require a bit of planning on the bride and groom’s part. Typically, the two of you will arrive at the photo location in two separate cars. The bride will stay in your car while I walk the groom to his spot and make sure he can't see you. Then, you’ll get out of your car and we will take the time to make sure you look perfect. When you are ready, you’ll call out his name or place a hand on his shoulder. At that cue, your groom will turn around, swoop in for a hug and a kiss, twirl you a few times, and be so completely in love. I will be a fly on the wall during your special moment, photographing the action until you’re both ready to go. At that point, we’ll transition into a regular portrait session and I'll direct you on where to stand and how to pose!
WHY ARE FORMALS A MUST?
I really recommend formals because it actually cuts down how much coverage you need on the wedding day. When we have already spent 1-2 hours taking couple portraits in your wedding attire before the big day, that's less portrait time we need to take on your wedding day. I’ll definitely still capture your newlywed smiles on the real wedding day, but you two can get back to the party much faster because you’ll already have a huge gallery of stunning couples photos.
Another benefit of doing a formal session is that many of my couples love displaying large prints at their reception and the photos are usually from the engagement and formal sessions. Rather than only displaying photos of her from a traditional bridal session, you are both featured when you do a formal session and those pictures always add so much to a wedding!
Formals are a definite must in my opinion! Those private moments between you two before the big day are always stunning and ones you will treasure forever. Not only do you get portraits wearing your wedding attire while in a gorgeous location of your choosing, but you get to photograph that first look moment, and save some portrait time on your actual wedding day so you are free to celebrate the best day of your life!