Everyone will tell you that your wedding day goes by so fast! But if there’s one thing that will freeze a moment on your wedding day, it’s of course your wedding photos. Have you thought about the last photos of the night on your wedding day? I love ending my coverage with a memorable photo taken in the evening. Since your formal portraits will likely be taken in daylight, most of your photos will be in natural light, but there’s something special about an evening or night portrait of the two of you! It allows you to create an image that is completely different from what you’ll receive in the rest of your gallery, and it gives you an excuse to have a private moment together towards the end of the night to take it all in before the last couple of hours of your wedding day.
Here are six ideas for evening and nighttime photos on your wedding day! Whether you do one, two, or more of these, I’m sure it will be some of your favorite shots of the day!
Idea #1: Sunset photo
Does your venue have a view of the sunset? If so, then definitely put a sunset photo on your list of photos to take on your wedding day and document this magical moment! The photo below is from Olivia and Ryan’s wedding day and the beautiful sunset view from Clarks Landing Yacht Club.
Idea #2: Photo at Dusk
Dusk is another time of day when I love taking my couples out for a photo. Here’s one from Camille and Alex’s wedding day at The Mill Lakeside Manor:
Ali and Sebastian went outside for a photo at dusk right before the start of their reception. I love the blue sky we had at this moment!
Idea#3: Indoor Photo
Does your venue have a unique indoor feature you’d love to incorporate into your wedding photos? Perhaps a beautiful fireplace like the one below at Sarah and Matt’s Park Chateau Estate Wedding:
I also love this one from Alex and Andrew’s wedding at The Mill Lakeside Manor:
Or maybe your venue has a beautiful staircase like the one below from Una and Ben’s wedding at The Village Club of Sands Point.
Or this one from Park Chateau Estate:
Idea #4: Highlight an end-of-the-night surprise!
If you’re doing something special for your guests at the end of the night, you can highlight it, like Camille and Alex did with the Hangover Prevention Station at The Mill Lakeside Manor:
Or like Krissa and Bill did when they ended the night with a pork roll truck!
And of course I have to mention Ally and Brian’s VW Booth Bus!
Idea#5: Outdoor photo in front of your venue
This one’s a classic! Take a quick walk outside and take some photos in front of your wedding venue!
Idea #6: Photo with Lights and/or Sparklers
If your venue has a unique lighting installation, those always make for great photos! Here’s one from Amanada and Sean’s Park Chateau Estate Wedding:
If you want to end the night with some sparkler photos I recommend doing a sparkler photo with just your bridal party members. This way you don’t have to empty the dance floor completely and you’ll only have to walk under a small arch of sparklers rather than 100+ sparklers being held by drunken guests =/ I love how Kristen and Matt just invited their bridal party out for this shot at their Bonnet Island Estate Wedding and they were back on the dance floor within just a few minutes! If you’re going to add sparklers to your end of the night photos, please make sure you get the 20 inch or 36 inch sparklers so that they burn long enough for photos! Check out this guide here for more info and to purchase sparklers.
I hope that gives you some ideas for your last newlywed photos on your wedding night! Be sure to shoot me an email to let me know you’d like to incorporate one or more of these so I can make sure to add them to my shot list.
