43 Wedding Poses Ideas For the Perfect Marriage Photoshoot

Need to photoshoot a wedding? You’re in the right place! If you’re a photographer you’ll be asked to shoot a wedding at some point, as the groom and brides usually aim to have their special day endlessly captured so that they can go back to it whenever they want to, through looking at the marriage photos.

So if you’re new in the photography world or an experienced photographer who is willing to get some new and fresh inspiration for your wedding gig… I suggest you keep reading as this article will share pose tips, inspiration, and cool ideas for the perfect marriage photoshoot!

Bride wedding Poses

A good wedding photoshoot includes a variety of poses and captures of different people so that nothing and no one can be excluded. Though let’s be honest, the bride is usually the star of the wedding with her princess-looking dress and her in-love look!

Women on their wedding day usually wear a lot of make-up, fancy jewelry, maybe a veil or a crown, or some flowers in the hair. Whatever your bride model chooses to embellish her face and hair with, I’m sure it will be special for her, so taking a close-up of all these accessories can be truly meaningful to remember both how beautiful and how emotionally in love she looked on her special day.

2. One for the dress

Similarly, you can take another close-up but a little less close so that the front of the dress can be highlighted too. The dress is indeed one of the highlights of the day, as the beautiful bride will most probably never get to wear that dress, nor anything of that kind, ever again so she’ll love to have it forever captured.

3. The walk

Some wedding dresses are most beautiful from the back. So if your bride model happens to have a nice open back you can have her walk and shoot her from the back so that the dress back’s detail enhances. This picture can be especially powerful if captured in nature - while the bride walks by the beach, in a park, or with mountain views.

Image from Pexels

4. The cool bride transport

Brides usually have a really sweet entrance to their wedding location - some choose to arrive in a white vintage car, others in a horse, and some in a motorbike. It can be a fun and creative wedding shot to have your bride model sit on her special wedding transportation and photograph her while on it. It will make her look cool, while forever capturing the sweet way she reached the location that will forever transform her into an official wife.

5. The mirror

If you want your bridal shot to look unique, artistic, and creative, check this idea out! Have your bride model stand in front of a mirror (even better if the mirror is a nice and refined one), with the flower bouquet in her hands. Then proceed to record her from the side (so that your reflection doesn’t appear in the shot).

Image from Pexels

This picture will end up looking truly artistic while adding a touch of profundity, as the bride is looking at her reflection in the mirror, staring at a girl who is about to become an officially married woman. This shot will be especially powerful if shot before the wedding, to capture the mix of feelings of the bride.

Single Groom Wedding Poses

Now it comes the time for the other star of the day: the groom. Of course, the groom is just as special and deserves the same amount of time and pictures. Though men tend to be less comfortable in front of the camera so let’s get some tips for the best groom poses.

6. A groom in nature

Some men don’t always like to dress all fancy, so it will be extra great to have the groom captured in his wedding attire, to forever cherish the day he got to dress up and look so elegant. You can have your groom model pose while fixing his sleeves or collar if he is the kind of person who feels a bit awkward in front of the camera and doesn’t know what to do with his hands. Another tip is to have this picture shot in nature to add up to the shot’s personality while making him feel at ease.

7. Show those flowers!

Usually, men have some delicate flowers in their pockets to magnify the outfit’s beauty and to match with the wedding scenery. If this is the case, you can consider shooting a close-up of the flowers in the jacket’s pocket or ask your groom model to show the little floral decoration to the lens, while he stands in the background, unfocused, but all dressed up.

8. Get ready

Although men are not as pampered and glamorous as women are, they still take their time to get ready and be their best and most handsome selves during their wedding day. So take advantage of this moment and have a nice shot of your groom model while he’s getting ready - whether you take a close-up of him tightening his shoelaces, putting on the jacket, or fixing his necktie… I’m sure it will turn out to be a beautiful and emotional shot.

9. Beep beep! Time to get married

While women usually have their big eccentric entrance to their wedding day, men also have to reach their special day, and usually one of the groomsmen gives him a lift. If this is the case, you can take some photos of him in the car, either while he just enters after getting ready, or when he is about to get off as soon as he arrives, or both. This will end up being a meaningful moment filled with style yet with a lot of feelings.

10. The handsome groom

After shooting some stylish bits and pieces here and there, it’s time to have a proper groom photo with him being all prepped up and ready to take his wife’s hand for life. Have a full-body portrait of the groom taken while he stands waiting for the bride to arrive. It will show the groom’s whole outfit and his excited and probably a little nervous expression too.

Wedding Couple Poses

Now that we’ve got some bride and groom solo pictures, enhancing their individual beauty and emotional expressions, it’s time to get into the very stars of the day: the two of them combined.

Weddings are a sacred union that celebrates the love between two human beings, capturing this love is the most important job of a wedding photographer, as this doesn’t only involve nice clothes and superficial accessories, it includes a deep and special feeling that everyone would love to have forever captured.

11. The back hug

A sweet idea includes a back photo of the two lovebirds hugging each other. Have them stand facing backward and get them to place their hands on one another’s backs. Take a close-up shot of this gesture that represents a “just married and in love” picture.

Image from Pexels

12. The sweethearts

For a classic, must-do, wedding photo idea you can get the two lovebirds to stand facing each other while the groom holds his wife’s back and she gently places her arm either on his shoulder or on his belly, so to pose in an almost ball scene kind of way. This shot will be especially powerful if captured in front of a romantic backdrop or a nice, yet plain, scenery of the wedding venue so that all the details of the two lovers can be enhanced.

13. The long-awaited dance

A wedding dance is one of the moments mostly awaited - sometimes the groom and bride also rehearse for many days to be fully prepared for the moment. A beautiful wedding couple's pose includes one of them dancing, whether you choose to shoot them while in their official wedding dance, or you prefer to have them privately dance especially for the wedding photoshoot, this is up to you and them! Both of the pose ideas will result in a romantic and creative wedding photo.

14. The “we’re officially married” shot

Another wedding pose includes a close-up portrait photo of the two lovebirds a few minutes after being officially married. Be ready to capture their joyful ecstatic expressions right after the ceremony ends (whether they choose to do a religious or legal one). This pose will end up resulting in a very meaningful couple's wedding picture.

15. The promise

Another must-do wedding picture includes the capture of the moment when the two get to exchange their rings and put them on each other’s fingers. It is such a special and powerful instant in a wedding as rings represent the promise and the proof of their forever love.

16. The artistic

If what you aim for is less of the classical must-dos and more of unique and creative shots, then you can consider having an artistic capture of the two in a dark room only lit by bamboo lanterns or candles that add up some light and warm vibe to the scenery, then have the lovers embrace each other in a hug or kiss. It will turn into such a deep and creative wedding couple photo.

17. Let’s go towards our married life!

Another sweet wedding photo idea includes one where the couple, just married, gets to leave right after the ceremony and before the wedding celebrations. Usually, they rent a car or motorbike for this moment, and it will be absolutely beautiful to have them captured while they leave, as it will not only showcase their happiness and joy but also symbolize them leaving towards their officially married life.

18. Hold my hand forever

Another classical, yet symbolic, wedding photo idea involves one of the lovers holding hands while walking. This is especially powerful if captured in a close-up of the hands, to truly represent the love and unity between the two just married lovers.

19. The sweet embrace

One cute and original wedding couple pose idea includes one of the bride sitting on the groom’s lap and covering both of them with her veil, then smiling at him or kissing him while under it. This will result in a sweet and artistic wedding photo.

20. The bride’s walk

If you aim to capture the classic bridal walk towards the groom, but in a more artistic way, you can consider recreating the scene in nature. Whether you choose to go to the beach, in the jungle, or in a garden filled with plants, that’s up to you! But choose a unique and vibrant location then have the groom stand facing the camera while the bride walks towards him - this pose will be such a game changer for your wedding photoshoot.

Wedding Poses for Bridesmaids

Yes, the bride and the groom are indeed the stars of the day of their special wedding ceremony. However, so many other precious people contribute to making their day, and their life, more meaningful and they must get captured as well! So let’s take a moment to capture the bridesmaids - usually the bride’s best friends - they make the day a more fun and special one!

Let’s get some ideas on how to capture them during a wedding photoshoot.

21. Cheers!

Right before the bride gets ready usually bridesmaids get together with the bride and have a girly moment. They help her get ready, feel comfortable, and give her the space to get emotional. It will be so memorable to have a shot of them in their robes, just before getting all prepped up, cheering and laughing - simply being sisters and besties together, celebrating the special moment of their beloved friend.

Image from Pexels

22. The sister’s love

An artistic bridesmaid pose idea includes one where the girls get to stand in front of a mirror, all prepared and dressed up for the special day, while the bride stands in front of them facing backward while her image is reflected in the mirror. This shot will represent the special women of the bride’s life being all emotional and happy to see their friend get married. It will be both an artistic and sentimental shot.

23. The friend gang

A more classical but must-do bridesmaid photo includes a portrait of them all, with the bride in the middle, facing the camera and smiling, or being silly together. This shot can be especially unique and personality-filled if chosen to be taken in front of a cute backdrop, but it can also be taken in a simple venue that gives space to their dresses to enhance.

24. The sister’s pride

Another meaningful wedding idea is to get the bridesmaid to stand facing backwards, while the bride stands in the middle. They can hug each other from the back, raise their hands as a symbol of celebration, or look up. This shot will represent pride and a moment where the friends get to stand next to one another, supporting and cheering their friend for her special day.

25. The line up

The last, but not least, bridesmaid's pose idea includes one where the bride gets to stand in the front, while her friends stand in line behind her - they can all put the arm on their hip, or raise the arm so that it looks synchronized and matched. This will end up being a really cute shot that also symbolizes the friends that stand behind the bride as a symbol of endless support.

Wedding Poses for Groomsmen

Now let’s talk about groomsmen.

It’s always a bit easier to capture girls when photo shooting since they usually love to glam up and pose for the camera, as well as have unforgettable memories endlessly captured.

Groomsmen, most probably, will not want to simply pose and stare at the camera, so you must give them ideas on what they can do to make the shot look great. Men work differently, so let’s see how you can get the best groomsman photoshoot while making it fun and easy!

26. Team buddies

A groomsman photo idea is to have them stand facing the camera, with the groom in the middle, and have them put one arm in the center, with one hand on top of the other, as a symbol of teamwork. Especially if they’re sporty men who played team sports together, they will love doing this, and it will take away the stress of posing, while also symbolizing friendship and brotherhood.

27. The funny one

If they’re the typical funny dudes who don’t like to take life, and especially photoshoots, too seriously, then this one’s for you! Have the groom stand in the middle while the groomsmen surround him and place one arm on his shoulders and back. Get them to all close their eyes so that the picture ends up looking as if the groomsmen are passing him all the power and force to get him ready for the wedding.

Image from Pexels

28. The spontaneous shot

Especially if they’re the kind of people who really don’t like to pose, you can consider taking several pictures of spontaneous moments of the bridesmaids while in their authentic loving nature - while they hug each other, they laugh, they crack a joke. This shot will have them all remember such precious time spent with their brothers.

29. The handsomes

If your groomsmen models are less of the funny kind and more of the cool and chivalry kind, you can get them to pose in their fancy attire and in an elegant and handsome way - get one to look at the camera with his hands in the pocket, another to look up while touching his hair, one while he fixes his necktie, one to lean on a wall while looking forward, and so on. This will end up being a beautiful picture of some handsome, elegant men that they will want to showcase and cherish for life.

30. The gentlemen

For this last groomsmen pose idea, you can consider involving the bride too and get her to stand in the middle, while the groomsmen hold her dress and showcase her beauty while the groom stands in front, either on the knee or standing, in total love. It will end up being such a creative and fun wedding photo.

Image from Pexels

Family Wedding Poses

Now let’s get more detailed into family wedding poses, as the family is such an important part of this event and they will be as equally emotional as the bride and groom!

Let’s get into it.

31. Mom and daughter moment

A sweet and emotional family picture is one of the bride’s mom helping her daughter get ready for her wedding. A close-up of her fixing the dress, combing her hair, giving her the bouquet, etc. It will be such a sweet picture to cherish forever, as well as an emotional moment that mom and daughter get to share in a loving moment.

Image from Pexels

32. Now mom and groom

The same idea can be recreated for the mom and groom. It will be as equally emotional for the groom’s mom to help with his son’s attire - whether she fixes his necktie, puts a flower in his pocket, or fixes his jacket… it will be a deep and emotional photo.

33. The look

A spontaneous, must-do, family wedding shot is one natural capture of the expression during the wedding ceremony. Make sure that, while the bride and groom are being married by the priest or whoever is officializing the wedding, you also save some shots to capture the family, especially the parents, as they will also be feeling a mix of emotions like pride, nostalgia, excitement that it will be so beautiful to have forever captured in a spontaneous photograph.

34. They’re ours!

A fun family pose idea for your wedding photoshoot includes a recreation of the bride and groom standing one in front of the other, while the family (either the parents or the siblings) get to hold onto their family member as if they’re shouting “She’s ours” and “He’s ours!”, with the two lovers in the middle trying to hold onto one another’s hands. It will be a fun and creative shot that can be looked at with a smile on the face over time.

Image from Pexels

35. The classical one

A good old classic family portrait cannot be missed. So save a shot of the bride and groom surrounded by all their family members. If the family is a really large one, you can get two different family portraits one with the bride’s members and another with the groom’s.

36. One with the little one

Nowadays not all couples wait to get married before having children. If your married models happen to already have a child, you can consider taking a close-up of the two of them with their little one(s). It will be such a sweet family memory. If this is not the case, but the bride or groom, or both, have a little nephew or other family member, you can think about taking a close-up shot with the baby as a symbol of “Soon we might have a little one too!”.

37. An emotional bride-dad moment

For some reason, the bride’s dad is usually the most emotional person in the family during weddings. This is because men tend to be overly protective with their daughters and weddings symbolize a rite of passage where women don’t get to be part of their blood family anymore, but get to create their own. If this is the case you can consider taking an emotional shot of the bride and her dad, holding hands - if tears fall capture it too, so they can forever look back at the emotional scene. Of course, the same concept can be recreated with any family member, if the bride is closer to her mom then a bride-mom moment can be captured instead.

Image from Pexels

38. Family love

A loving family portrait cannot be missed on a wedding day! Have the bride stand facing the camera while her mom and dad stand beside her, either hugging her or kissing her. The same pose idea can be recreated with the groom and his wife.

Image from Pexels

Wedding Guest Poses

During a special wedding day, you cannot forget to take some shots of the guests too! Everyone invited is somehow special for the bride and groom and it is meaningful to take some shots of them all.

39. The scenic

A cool wedding photoshoot idea with guests includes a panoramic view of when the bride and groom are recently married and the guests throw rice or flower petals at them and get to be ecstatically happy about their friends’ milestone. This panoramic perspective will allow you to capture some genuinely happy expressions together with the emotional scene of the two lovers surrounded by all their closest people.

40. The celebration

The funniest part of a wedding is its celebration, where everyone gets to drink, eat, dance and party to celebrate the union of two people who love each other. The celebration moment is the perfect time to get general shots of the guests too, while having fun, moving, jumping, and celebrating their friends!

41. The guest portrait

Just like with family, it’s beautiful to have some posed portraits with the guests too. Have the bride and groom choose who they want to pose with and capture them smiling, or being silly, in a group of friends. This picture will look especially great in front of a backdrop or floral scenery.

42. The big feast

Usually, wedding celebrations are filled with big feasts, whether it’s a lunch or a dinner, where guests get to enjoy and celebrate. As a wedding photographer, you can go around the venue and capture several moments of authenticity shared between the guests. Capture them eating, cheering with a wine glass, taking a selfie with the groom and bride, and having a spontaneous laugh!

43. The sparkle

If it’s not already in the bride and groom’s plan you can advise them to all light up some sparkle sticks when the day comes to an end and the sun goes down. Then have the bride and groom walk in the middle while the guests surround them with the lit sparkles. It will be such an artistic way to celebrate a beautiful love, forever captured in time.

It’s our wish and desire that these words inspired, motivated, and gave you some helpful tips to step up your wedding photoshoot game! You can’t go wrong if you mix authentic moments and emotional expressions with classical wedding must-do.