13/07/2026
A little wedding photography thought after this summer’s weddings.
One trend I have noticed more and more this year is couples wanting to do their couple portraits BEFORE the ceremony.
And I completely understand why. The idea sounds beautiful: you have more time, you can relax, you can “get the photos done” before the day gets busy.
But after photographing many weddings, I want to share something from my perspective as a photographer.
No matter how much I help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, no matter how much we talk, laugh, and create a relaxed atmosphere… body language cannot lie.
I am not a magician. I can guide you, suggest poses, help you connect, and make you feel more natural — but I cannot completely remove the emotions you naturally carry before walking down the aisle.
Because before the ceremony, there is usually a lot happening internally:
•excitement
•nerves
•anticipation
•the feeling of “this is really happening”
•thoughts about the schedule and everything going perfectly
And that changes the way you hold each other.
The hug before the ceremony and the hug after the ceremony are not the same.
The way you sit next to each other before saying your vows and the way you sit together after becoming husband and wife are not the same.
The energy is different.
After the ceremony, after seeing each other, after the hugs from your closest people, after the champagne, after finally being able to breathe… there is a kind of connection that cannot be recreated.
This is why I always recommend making time for couple portraits AFTER the ceremony.
It doesn’t have to take hours.
It can be:
•15–30 minutes during the mingling time
• a short moment before dinner
• stepping outside during the evening when the light is beautiful
Even if you have already done portraits before the ceremony, you will often notice the difference yourself when we take those few photos afterwards.
The relaxed shoulders.
The genuine smiles.
The way you naturally reach for each other.
The little touches and looks that happen without thinking.
One more thing: before the ceremony, I also personally recommend keeping your dress and yourself feeling fresh. The adventure photos in fields, beaches, forests, and everywhere else are beautiful, but there is something special about walking into your ceremony feeling completely ready for that moment. After the ceremony? That’s when the real adventure can begin.
So if you are planning your wedding for next year, please consider this:
Don’t only plan your timeline around getting photos done.
Plan it around experiencing your day.
Because the most meaningful photos are often not the perfectly planned ones, they are the moments when you finally realise: “We are married.”
—
ELINA NOMAD PHOTOGRAPHY - timeless documentary soulful moments
[ content photographer • family photography Stockholm • city hall photographer Stockholm• wedding photographer Stockholm ]
