The images of a couple's wedding are, along with their memories, the most lasting memento of the happiest day of their lives. But like the reception band that hits the wrong note or the meal that doesn't live up to expectations, so the photographs can sometimes fail to capture the special event.
That's the reason couples can take much longer to decide on the photographer they trust with their wedding. And that's why many photographers now offer potential clients different styles so they pick one that suits them best.
So what are those different photographic styles and why would you settle on a particular one?
Traditional
The wedding party in formal poses is what best sums up traditional wedding photography. Expect shots of the bride and groom at the altar, with bridesmaids and best man, with their parents and cutting the cake. For decades this has been the most popular style of wedding photography, culminating in an album and with the happy couple providing their families with the type of wedding photo they'll want to hang on the wall. It's safe, although time consuming as the photographer ushers you from shot to shot, but at least you'll know exactly what kind of pictures you get at the end of the day.
Documentary
Fast replacing the traditional poses as the style of choice, documentary style photography provides the story of your big day from start to finish. Expect more naturalistic pictures, snapshots of the happy couple and guests as they enjoy the ceremony and aftermath, rather than everyone standing stiffly together. While your pictures may also come to you in album form, they are more likely to be presented in chronological order, which is a great way of showing those who missed the event what happened. If you still want a formal image to showcase the wedding, this style of photography might not suit you but it's ideal for those less hidebound by tradition.
Modern and contemporary
This style of photography is based on the type of stylizing that is done for fashion shoots and magazine-style photography. Expect to spend a lot of time waiting for your photographer to find just the right light and background so he or she can capture the moment perfectly. While this can be a slow process, the results are rarely less than stunning and the images produced will grace any frame. The biggest downside to being pictured in this way is that as fashion changes, you might find your images date rather quickly.