Wedding Guests - Who'd have them?

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Wedding Guests - the unsung heroes

"We just came for the party"

I remember when Jen and I were planning our wedding, a great deal of thought went into making sure everyone there had a good time. We agonised over the menu, made sure the wedding guests would be entertained and not too bored, and in general hoped that people would enjoy our day. Having seen many a wedding now, I can say pretty honestly that all of that was a waste of time. The only thing a wedding guest needs is to be there.I remember a conversation a while back with a prospective couple (who didn't book) who were adamant they wanted a photo of everybody at their wedding "having fun". Maybe stupidly I asked "what if they're not having fun?" It was kind of tongue in cheek but it really is a huge factor in a couple's thinking behind their day. They want their guests to enjoy themselves. I have photographed at wedding's where the bride is more concerned about others enjoying themselves than enjoying the day herself.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"]So, here's a little secret. All guests enjoy themselves at weddings. I am yet to shoot a wedding where there has been an obvious "boredom" or lack of fun and merriment. Maybe the couples got their entertainment right, the magician working wonders or the busker warbling through Ed Sheeran songs was enough to keep the snooze at bay.I'm not so sure.I tend to think of humans as a decent bunch. What I think happens at a wedding is people enjoy themselves because they are there. They have to come to share your special day. They have come to support you and yours. And moreover, they love you.I look for characters at a wedding. I don't aim to shoot all the wedding guests - it takes ages and distracts from the stories that are unfolding all over the place at a wedding. These are the stories I want to capture. I try to engage with the guests, have fun with them. I'm not one for standing in the shadows with a long lens and paparazzi style snap away without the subject knowing. I want them to know I'm photographing them. I want to connect with people at a wedding and hopefully show them as the real people you know and love.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label="Row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"]