The official registration of marriage in the registry office is the most solemn and exciting moment on the wedding day, so in order for wedding photos in the registry office to be successful, you need to think through everything in advance. First of all, it is advisable invite an experienced wedding photographer, who knows every detail of the registration ceremony and all those moments that need to be captured.
You shouldn’t count on friends and relatives taking pictures with a phone or even a decent camera - a wedding photo shoot in the registry office requires not only good equipment, but also the skill of the photographer.
Only a true professional will be able to choose the angle in which the bride and groom will look most attractive
Only he will be able to shoot several frames during those moments that last for the exchange of rings, the couple’s kiss and other exciting and significant moments of the ceremony.
Important moments of a photo shoot in the registry office
The ideas for filming a ceremony in a registry office are usually quite standard, since the wedding procedure always follows approximately the same scenario. And at this stage of the photo shoot, the photographer’s actions are extremely limited, since this is an official wedding, and he will not be able to present the newlyweds in the most favorable angle. And although the painting lasts a very short time, nevertheless, it is filled with unique moments that definitely need to be captured in a photo . That’s why it’s so important to give the photographer the opportunity to capture key angles of the newlyweds in a formal setting.
- Entrance to the wedding hall
- Mutual consent of the newlyweds to become husband and wife
- Exchange of wedding rings
- Signatures of the newlyweds in the marriage register
- The first kiss of the bride and groom
- The newlyweds' ceremonial exit from the hall
The imagination of the newlyweds and the photographer can run wild to their hearts’ content after the official painting is completed at the registry office . We can say that the photo shoot is just beginning. Here the bride and groom leave the hall with wedding rings on their fingers, and the master can photograph them against any background and from different angles. In hugs, with everyone, with flowers, with guests, with rose petals flying like a festive fireworks of love. The main thing is the expression of happiness and joy on their faces from the fact that they have officially become husband and wife.
Photos of brides and grooms
Tsaritsyno Park - photo taken using one powerful generator light source.
Stylish wedding photo on the stairs in the interior restaurant Turandot.
An in-flight wedding between a pilot and a flight attendant, at the request of the newlyweds, we added an airplane to the photo in Photoshop.
Photographer Tips: Dress with a Train
To show all the beauty of the train of the bride’s dress, it must be carefully laid out during the photo shoot. Invite a friend with you to help with the dress and speed up the photography process. If there is no suitable girlfriend, then I lay out the dress, but you need to allow more time for shooting
The apple orchard in Tsaritsyno is a good location for light, romantic photographs.
The night wedding photo shoot during a break at the banquet took only 10-15 minutes. I prepared the lighting in advance so that the newlyweds would not be too distracted from the banquet program. Such effective pictures can be taken when an extended lighting package is ordered.
Autumn wedding photo shoot on the territory of Kolomenskoye - such gentle shots are obtained in cloudy weather with soft diffused light.
Poses for a wedding photo shoot in the registry office
By filming a wedding photo session in the registry office, a professional photographer can realize interesting ideas that are not similar to traditional shooting in a wedding palace. These are the moments that he will be able to catch unnoticed :
- how the bride straightens her hair in front of the mirror at the door of the ceremony hall;
- how the groom scratches his chin a little nervously, looking at the guests;
- how the mother of the bride drinks water insatiably, worrying about the upcoming event;
- how the bridesmaids whisper and giggle in the corner;
- how carefully the bride's witness straightens the bride's dress;
- how the groom tenderly hugs his future wife, hiding in the haze of her veil;
- as the newlyweds enter the hall, lightly clasping their little fingers.
These are the moments that everyone will forget after the celebration, but which will forever remain in the photographer’s photographs. Look at our selection of photos for other interesting ideas for a wedding photo shoot at the registry office.
Wedding without a celebration: bride's dress
The bride also has many options. From a classic ballgown to shorts and sneakers. It is only important to be in harmony with the groom and your inner world.
- White dress . Many brides still prefer to get married in white to identify themselves as a bride. It doesn’t have to be a long, fluffy dress; you can choose a more modest option, a mini or retro dress.
- Cocktail Dress . A cocktail dress is a very practical option. Then you can wear it to another celebration or to a friend’s wedding, if the dress is not white. With the right hairstyle, the bride will look very elegant.
- Pantsuit . This option is for strict brides or older brides. A pantsuit can be very dressy, but it will still remain a suit and not a dress. The groom should also be dressed strictly, in a classic style, to match the bride.
- Sundress . A convenient and simple option for a wedding in a hippie or rustic style. The groom will also have plenty of options that will look appropriate. Well suited for a summer wedding outdoors.
- Casual wear . Coming to the registry office in a clean suit is no longer nonsense. Sometimes people just come to register and don't plan any celebrations for the occasion. Any dress, suit, trousers or jeans will suit this occasion.
- Stylized suit . The bride can dress up as a princess, Alice in Wonderland, or even a cat if she so chooses. The main condition is that the groom must be from that fairy tale, otherwise it will look strange.
What your wedding will be like is up to you to decide. No traditions or wishes of relatives should prevent you from spending this day the way you want, so you can choose a wedding without a celebration and have a lot of fun.
How to behave as newlyweds
A photo session of an official wedding in the registry office does not involve free poses, therefore the bride and groom need to understand that their angles and emotions on their faces should be as accessible as possible to the photographer. To properly prepare for the shoot, newlyweds need to follow certain instructions :
- agree in advance with the photographer which angles to use at which moments;
- prepare thoroughly in the morning so that your clothes and makeup are impeccable;
- watch their posture and facial expressions at the ceremony, because the photographer will not be able to tell them when to smile.
A wedding photo shoot at the registry office does not last long, so you need to have time to take the highest quality and brightest photos possible during this short period of the official ceremony. Maybe you have fresh ideas on how to conduct a photo session of the bride and groom at the registry office? Share with us and our readers - we will be interested in learning something new about weddings.
A wedding without a celebration: what to wear for the groom
There are no strict rules about how to go about non-ceremonial registration. It is no longer possible to surprise the registry office workers. You can come in a comfortable, hiking or any other suit.
- Classic suit . Not all grooms want to wear a suit for a non-formal registration. But if there is a romantic photo shoot later, it’s quite possible to dress up. The main thing is that it matches the bride's dress.
- Shirt and trousers . Calm and comfortable clothes, but in a semi-classical style, will be an excellent choice. It's not jeans and a T-shirt, but it's not a tailcoat either. You can choose very interesting options in color and cut, or have custom-made trousers.
- Shirt-vest-tie-pants . Not too classic, but quite an elegant set. If you choose the right colors (and they can be not only black and white) and a bow tie, you will get a very stylish groom. This outfit is perfect for a photo shoot.
- Informal option . If the groom wants to get married in jeans and the bride does not mind, then this will not be a problem. The bride may also wish to come to the registry office in jeans and T-shirts. The main thing is that both are happy with each other, because there will be no guests and there will be no one to judge.
- Themed costume . This option is rarely used for modest weddings, but why not. You can dress up like dudes, pirates or stalkers. You will get very bright pictures.
What documents are required for the official ceremony?
When a young man and a girl decide to start a life together and officially register their relationship, a burning question arises: what documents are needed to register a marriage? It all depends on age and civil status. The following documents are required:
- personal passports of Russian citizens from both future spouses;
- registration applications separately for the bride and groom, which can be written directly at the registry office or through the State Services portal, as well as at the MFC;
- a receipt for payment of the state duty, which is issued by the registry office employees. You can also pay on the State Services portal with a 30% discount;
- if one of the parties, or both, were previously married, then certificates of divorce will be required;
- if one or both of the newlyweds are between 16 and 18 years of age, then permission from parents, guardians, and local authorities will be required. Usually such marriages are allowed when the bride is pregnant. In this case, a pregnancy certificate from the clinic is provided;
- foreign citizens must provide a visa, residence permit and certificate of marital status, migration card. Papers must be translated into Russian, with certification from a local notary.
There are restrictions under which a couple will be denied marriage registration. This is the incapacity of one of the applicants, close family relationships, belonging to the same sex and an existing undissolved marriage.
Submitting an application
An application for marriage registration must be submitted at least 30 days before the significant moment. If you want to do everything quickly, there are exceptions to the rules, one of which may be suitable:
- pregnancy of the bride, especially in the later stages;
- having a child together;
- summons from the military registration and enlistment office;
- serious illness of one of the couple;
- long-distance business trip.
Any of these cases will need to be confirmed with the help of competent persons: certificates from work, from a clinic or hospital, birth certificate.
How much does the procedure cost?
Today the state duty costs 350 rubles. At the same time, you should take into account the costs of transport, outfits, photographer and cameraman services, and flowers. The cost of the procedure may vary in different cities, much depends on local authorities. In any case, the amount of the state duty is indicated on the State Services website, in the MFC and on the registry office receipts.
Employees of government agencies do not have the right to charge newlyweds any additional funds other than the officially established state duty. The exception is the services of a full-time photographer or cameraman.
At the Wedding Palace, the procedure is a little different. You can order additional services, a list of which is readily provided, for a fee. Sometimes such payment is charged by default, for example, for decorating a room. In order not to find yourself in an unpleasant situation, when choosing the Palace as the venue for the ceremony, it is better to go there and personally discuss all the nuances, determining the amount of payment.
How to shoot a wedding - the secrets of a successful video
What is the secret to a successful wedding video? First of all, the correct position for the videographer, the shooting plan, and the ability to handle the camera.
Of course, high-quality video will not be obtained when using amateur equipment, so you should choose a device based on the recommendations of experts.
It is not enough to have high-quality professional equipment; you need to choose the right place where the camera will be installed, provide the operator with the opportunity to move freely and provide him with access to all shooting objects. There are several rules, the observance of which will help you make a high-quality and interesting video during the official registration and at the wedding banquet:
- You should not work in tandem with a photographer to avoid a large number of monotonous photographs and not to capture the same moments.
- It is better to avoid using a tripod and hold the camera in your hands. This will allow the operator to shoot video from different positions and often change poses, achieving high-quality images.
- You can’t take too long (long) shots. The videographer needs to have time to take a lot of shots with the most interesting and solemn moments of the holiday day and evening. They will all be interesting, as long as they don't go on too long and make the audience bored.
What should you film at a wedding?
The beginning of the wedding video is the bride's ransom. Don't shoot continuously. Of course, later you can delete unnecessary frames, but it is better to immediately draw up a plan according to which filming is carried out during competitions, the ransom itself, and the bride’s exit. Having escorted the newlyweds to the wedding procession, the operator can pause work. The camera is turned on again in front of the registry office.
Video shooting is carried out from various positions according to a pre-developed script. This will help ensure that the video does not look like a staged video. Knowing the route that the wedding procession will take and all the stopping places, you can create a separate script for each video, thus making the film meaningful and not missing a single significant moment.
To begin with, the cameraman films how the newlyweds are handed a loaf of bread, the groom carries the bride into the hall in his arms, and all the guests follow them in. While the guests are taking their seats, the operator can pause filming and take up the camera again at the moment when the toastmaster begins his speech and gives the floor to the parents. Now you need to remove all the congratulators, not forgetting to pay attention to the newlyweds.
After the wedding dance of the newlyweds, video filming is carried out almost continuously, as the time comes for numerous competitions fraught with many surprises.
Posing rules for a wedding photo shoot: top 7
Watch your posture
You can have an incredibly beautiful dress, makeup and hairstyle, but all this will fade into the background if you are slouched in the photo.
Therefore, posture is the first thing you should focus on during a photo shoot. Your back should be straight and your shoulders back - this will make you look taller, slimmer and more elegant. And remember that a slight arch in the lower back will make the figure visually more feminine, emphasizing the silhouette. But there is a fine line between good posture and an unnaturally straight back, which is why the pose looks tense and “wooden” in photographs. To avoid this, watch your shoulders (don’t raise them too high) and try to stretch your neck - this will add grace to the pose.
Don't hold your breath while shooting, otherwise you will look tense and unnatural in the photo.
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Natural poses
No “broken” poses from fashion magazines! And in general, we don’t recommend being inspired by fashion shoots - they are aimed at showing the beauty of clothes/accessories, and not the model herself. Better watch real shootings from weddings - this is a great way to make sure that you don’t have to be a model with ideal parameters to get beautiful photos.
During the photo shoot, try to imagine that you and the groom are just the two of you and no one can see you. Look into each other's eyes, talk about something without looking at the photographer, don't be shy to show emotions and tenderness towards each other.
Of course, at some moments the photographer can tell you how to turn, where to stand so that the light falls correctly, but in general, try to behave as naturally as possible. Be here and now - just enjoy communicating with each other, hug, kiss, fool around.
100 photos that should be in your wedding album
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Don't look at the camera
When shooting portraits, try to look directly into the camera as little as possible. Such a photo will look boring, there is no zest in it. If you turn your head a little to the side and slightly at an angle to the camera, the photo will not only become more interesting, but your eyes will sparkle differently.
This also applies to shooting with the groom. You'll probably want to take a few classic portraits for your parents to frame, but remember that the most tender shots come from looking at each other or together in the same direction—not at the photographer.
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Move slowly and smoothly
An important stage in photographing the bride’s morning is how she takes the dress off the hanger, how they help her dress and fasten the veil, how she puts on earrings, jewelry, shoes... To make the photos atmospheric and unpretentious, make sure that your movements are smooth and unhurried. This way the photographer can take several shots from different angles, and you won’t have to fasten your earrings or put on your shoes again for the second and third take.
To enjoy the last moments of preparation, allocate extra time for shooting and never calculate the timing of the morning minute by minute.
Follow this rule during a photo shoot with the groom. Yes, some photos require dynamics, active actions, so that the hair flutters, the dress flies beautifully - but while walking, try to walk slowly, avoid sudden movements. But don’t freeze in one position - there should be movements, just smooth and leisurely.
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The secret of an expressive look
If you want more expressive photos, “smile” with your eyes. While in front of the camera, forget about timing, any organizational issues, stop thinking about whether important guests will be late, whether they will like the buffet, whether you remember all the movements for the first dance...
Pleasant thoughts and emotions of the bride are the key to gentle, serene portraits. Think better about something pleasant: about the upcoming meeting with the groom, about how beautiful this day is and how happy you are to be here and now. Imagine smiling, but try not to smile while doing it. Yes, it’s not that easy, but as a result you’ll get an expressive and warm look in the photo.
Choosing a wedding photographer: what to look for in a portfolio?
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Watch the position of your hands
Poor hand position can ruin even the best photo. Of course, watching the hands in the frame and telling them how to pose correctly is the photographer’s task, but still the question “where to put the hands?” does not lose its relevance.
When the arms simply hang along the body, it does not look very aesthetically pleasing in the photo. Also avoid the hands-on-your-waist pose and don't hold them close to your body to make them look more graceful. The bride is often “saved” by the bouquet - but it also needs to be held correctly, without straining the hands too much. Here are some more ideas on what to do with your hands while shooting:
- • hold on to some support with one hand - for example, a railing when going down the stairs
- • straighten hair around the face or veil with your hands
- • you can frame your face beautifully - in this case, you should gently bend your hands and relax your fingers
- • put one hand on the shoulder or elbow of the other - here it is important to monitor the posture as a whole so that it does not turn out to be tight or tense.
And when shooting together with your groom, just hold hands and hug often!
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Stop thinking about how you'll turn out in photos
The more you try to look good in front of the camera and deliberately choose your pose, the more constrained your body looks and the less natural your emotions become. When you try to control your every action and movement, this is immediately evident in the photo. So try to get these thoughts out of your head.
Firstly, because today you are beautiful - professional makeup, hairstyle and the perfect dress do their job. Secondly, even if there are some unsuccessful photos, you still won’t see them - that’s why the photographer spends long hours selecting and processing the footage. But if you allow yourself to be yourself and relax, you will definitely have photos that will contain feelings, sincere, lively emotions and smiles - everything that you want to keep as a memory of this day!
Even more ideas for your photo shoot:
We don't know how to take pictures: 35 life hacks for a wedding photo shoot