In collaboration with Amy Burke

There is no question that a wedding needs to be documented. However, numerous events leading up to the big day—both significant and ordinary—are equally worth capturing. For instance, Amal Clooney brought fashion magazine Vogue to her final dress fitting to take pictures of her gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown. Apart from this occasion, shooting clips of you enjoying your bachelor and bachelorette parties or simply testing delicious wedding cakes for your reception is crucial. This is because taking photos and videos of the wedding experience from your perspective will allow you to remember details and emotions that professional photographers aren’t present for.

So on that note, this article has provided four tips on how you can produce stunning personal wedding memories.

Focus on intimate moments

From dress fittings to rehearsal dinners, each event leading up to the wedding consists of intimate moments between you, your friends, and your family. Though it should go without saying, it’s essential to capture each hug shared between a bride and her maid-of-honor or a proud smile exchanged between a groom and his father. Apart from that, our post ‘Everything You Need to Know About a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner’ suggests filming this occasion since the toast can comprise personal stories filled with love and support. After all, only your wedding party and closest family members are invited to the dinner. In a close-knit setting, your loved ones are more likely to be open with their affection—so it’s best not to leave this out when trying to preserve this event.

Utilize a camera that can switch between video and stills

According to Vogue Ballroom, mirrorless cameras are ideal for capturing the bustle of weddings since they’re compact. Their excellent phase detection also makes them a great choice for wedding videography, ultimately allowing you to document both single moments and entire scenarios. In a 2020 interview with Digital Photography Review, wedding photographer Vanessa Joy confirmed that mirrorless Canon cameras—the EOS R5 in particular—are versatile enough to shoot amazing wedding videos. This is why this model is one of the top mirrorless cameras listed on Adorama. The Canon EOS R5 is built with a powerful DIGIC X Image Processor for clear and beautiful photos of both candid and staged shots. It can also record breathtakingly sharp 4K clips at up to 120 fps. With its Dual Pixel CMOS AF tracking, you can adeptly capture subjects in motion and shoot videos of your family dancing during your wedding’s after-party.

Mix it up with instant photography

Typically, bachelor and bachelorette parties are a reason to indulge in thrilling activities with loved ones. For example, Travel + Leisure shares how bachelorette party itineraries can include dining at a luxurious restaurant and then unwinding at a neighborhood bar. Amidst all the excitement, instant photography is a great way to capture fun details, such as customized party shirts or delicious cocktails. In a 2022 Brides feature, wedding photographer Gaby J shared that she offers intimate photo sessions that use instant cameras. This is because these photos can be used as wedding gifts. The most popular instant camera brand is Polaroid, and you can use the Polaroid Now+ camera, which has experimental filters that can produce photos saturated in eye-catching colors like blue or orange. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can edit the photos before printing them and compiling them into a scrapbook.

Coordinate outfits with your significant other

As explained by a Weddingbee article, while a honeymoon is a memorable event that entails traveling with your new spouse, it can likewise be viewed as an extension of your wedding festivities. As such, it’s important to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime vacation by taking photos. A 2022 Flytographer write-up shares that coordinating outfits with your spouse is one of the best ways to get great couple shots. For instance, if you’ve booked a tropical getaway to Hawaii or the Maldives, you can wear clothing with bright pops of color. On the other hand, you may want to stick to a neutral palette if you want your photos taken against the backdrop of sprawling European cathedrals. Ultimately, your outfit should complement the background of your honeymoon destination so you can generate more striking shots.

A wedding is made up of several experiences that are filled with laughter and love. By following the tips listed above, you can document each moment and fondly look back on them for years to come.