Your ceremony has ended and you are officially husband & wife! Now it’s time for your first dance as a married couple. For some, this is a moment they’ll enjoy, but don’t really care about the photos. For others, you know this moment will be sweet and memorable. You’re looking forward to seeing these candids photos as the emotions begin to sink in!

 

If you’re in the latter group, this blog is for you! While it’s important to be in the moment during your first look, it might be helpful to have a few pointers in the back of your mind.

 

If you’re hoping to look back on these sweet moments, you’re going to want to avoid the following.

 

01. Don’t Sing the Song! (No matter how much you love it).

 

This one is surprisingly hard for couples to remember. You’re staring into your new spouse’s eyes, your song is playing & the words are saying your exact feelings about this moment. Also, couples tend to feel a bit awkward with all eyes on them & to avoid those feelings, they sing the song.

 

BUT if you’re busy singing, all your photos will be you with your mouth open. (And possibly eyes closed if you’re getting really into it).

 

 

02. Don’t Do Anything Fancy if You Can’t Dance

 

Don’t worry, I’m in this boat with you. The best first dance photos are when the couple is close & slowly sways in a circle. Fast movement is harder to catch on camera especially if your reception space is dark.

 

However, if you two ARE dancers, don’t let this hold you back! The biggest thing is that your confidence level shows on your face. If you are dancers, you’ll be laughing through your dance. If you’re not great at dancing but try something fancy anyways, you’ll probably show your nerves on your face.

 

 

03. Don’t Forget to Smile!

 

This seems silly, but if you’re worried about what’s happening next, you may forget to smile. Enjoy this moment with your new spouse and your face will show it!

 

 

BONUS TIP: Don’t Do Full Songs!

 

This one isn’t about the photos, it’s about the flow of your reception! Oftentimes, unless a planner or DJ tells the couple, they’ll never think about just how long 4 minutes of a song is. After about 1.5 minutes, things start to feel repetitive and a bit awkward.