Life has a way of reminding us what really matters. This week, I’ve been reflecting on how weddings offer something incredibly rare – a day to be surrounded by the people we love most. And when that day is over, it’s the photographs – especially the group shots, and the candid moments with our people – that become the most meaningful keepsakes of all.
My husband is at a funeral today – a family member whose passing has still left me feeling a little off-kilter. It was only around eight weeks ago that we learned he was seriously unwell, and that time was limited. None of us expected how quickly that time would pass. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be, and how precious our time with loved ones really is. And it’s had me thinking a lot this week about the role weddings play in bringing families together.
For some, a big family celebration just isn’t the right fit – perhaps it’s not their thing, maybe budget plays a part, or family dynamics make it complicated. Some dream of elopements, others prefer something more intimate – and all of that is completely valid. But for those of you for whom family is important, I truly believe your wedding day offers a rare and precious opportunity to make memories with the people who mean the most. In the blur and overwhelm of planning a wedding, it’s easy to overlook that – but it’s something so worth holding onto.
And one of the most beautiful ways to preserve those memories, of course, is through photography.
At Love My Dress, we see thousands of wedding photographs every week. Over time, we’ve developed an eye for what makes an image not just visually stunning, but emotionally resonant. We know when a photographer has that intuitive gift – the ability to capture the heart of the day, not just the details.
A decade ago, when I was asked what made a wedding ‘publishable’, I’d have said something like “a stylish couple, a gorgeous dress, and lots of thoughtful details!” And while those things still have their place, my focus has shifted 180 degrees. These days, I find myself drawn deeply and intuitively to the emotional value of an image. For me, that is the human connection that image represents.
Of course, I still appreciate the pretty details, but increasingly, it’s the candid, unposed moments that stop me in my tracks: the tight hug between two old friends. The proud, quiet glance from a father to his daughter. A shared laugh. A teary smile. A fleeting moment that says everything without needing a single word and yes, the group shots – the ultimate family gathering photographs.
These images of friends and family, together, relaxed and connected, are priceless. They speak to the real reason we gather to celebrate: love, connection, and shared history. And they’re exactly the kind of photographs that you will treasure most in years to come, once your wedding has been and gone.
If you’re a photographer reading this, know that the group shots, the family hugs, the happy chaos of friends on the dance floor – they matter. They’re not filler. They’re everything. And if you’re planning a wedding, my advice is simple: give time and space for those real moments to unfold. You might forget how the napkins were folded, but you’ll never forget how it felt to be surrounded by the people you love most.
Image Credit: McKinley Rodgers
The photograph above featured in this amazing real wedding published on Love My Dress. The bride is enjoying a precious and tender moment with her father who had travelled all the way from Colorado to London to see his daughter tie the knot. Her father was in the early stages of dementia at the time. This image moves me in a way that no carefully curated detail shot ever could. The human connection, the love, it’s palpable.
Trust me, when your wedding gallery lands in your inbox, the shots you’ll be dying to see first won’t be the shoes or the table settings – they’ll be the faces. The hugs. The moments you missed while caught up in the joy of the day.
My Grandma Edna (now in heaven) on my wedding day. Image Credit: Karen McGowran
In my book, Style Me Vintage Weddings, I dedicated a whole chapter to the value of wedding photography. That book is now over a decade old, but its message is still as relevant today. If you’re planning a wedding, I urge you to set aside a good portion of your budget for photography. I know you’ll have read it elsewhere – and you’ll read it again – but it really is that important.
Group Shots Matter. People Shots Matter. Choose a Photographer who cares about this.
Make sure your photographer knows how important it is to you to capture the people and shared human moments, not just the details. Choose a photographer whose work speaks to you – someone whose images make you feel something. Take time to explore full wedding galleries (and please NEVER book a photographer based purely on their Instagram account). Look for the moments they’re capturing – are their shots relaxed and natural? Are they focused on people and connection, or more about the staged and styled? Your reaction should be, “I want to be in photos taken by this person.”. Their photography should make you feel something inside and provoke an emotional response.
A good photographer will deliver everything you’ve asked for – the style, the aesthetic, the vibe, but they’ll also capture the things you didn’t even know you wanted: the moments you didn’t see, the people you love most, just being themselves. That magical group shot with all your family and friends, together in one frame, on one unforgettable day.
Please don’t be put off by the idea of the traditional group photo. Don’t let it fall off the list. Let your photographer do their thing – better still, make sure that group photo is on the list of key shots.
When I look back at our group shot (see below), taken on our wedding day on 20th March 2009, I see so many faces that are no longer with us. But I also see the beauty of how our family has grown since – and I’m so thankful to have that one image that holds them all in one place, just for one precious, fleeting moment.
Image Credit: Karen McGowran
