Wedding Photography - How to not be awkward

My FW gets really overwhelmed when a lot of people are around so we went through shot ideas that focus on us and our personalities. The plan is for the pictures of the two of us to include a lot of looking at each other or at the ocean. Maybe focus on something like that. As for family photos, is there a crack-up in your family that can politely break the tension? Get everyone laughing together and it lightens the mood without making it feel like all eyes are on you.

I'm super awkward in photos. I'd blame my self-consciousness but I was awkward in photos years ago when I had a lot more confidence too. Honestly, it'll be okay, the photographers know what they are doing. For example mine had me take a photo laughing with each bridesmaid and my mom and I REALLY thought it was going to look SO fake, it didn't. The photos were actually really cute. The formal posed pictures came out really nice, not cheesy at all and there are some poses that will give you a genuine response. Like they had us all jump and then walk forward and it looked really genuine. I personally prefer posed photos so I asked for a lot of those especially of my husband and I and they placed us in ways that it looked great, a lot of it had to do with where they placed us. Like they put us in these bushes and I thought it would be silly but it wasn't at all! There will definitely be photos you don't love... like there's one of me spraying perfume and I have the most ridiculous face, so I deleted it, not a big deal.

I also am a very awkward dancer so I was very afraid of photos of the reception. This is actually a big part of why I didn't have a videographer, I wanted to try to enjoy myself without getting embarrassed later on when I saw the video. I actually liked the reception photos, the photographer did a really good job!

So basically, tell the photographer how you feel and they'll know what to do. Just definitely be picky about choosing your photographer and look at a lot of their work beforehand

Ahh, thanks guys!
Yeah I should probably just trust the professionals.
Brittany- FH and I are actually such non-dancers that we opted for a Brunch reception!

I realized the photos I loved most were candids aha. It was like the photographer just constantly clicking away in between poses too so those looked most natural

Have you done an engagement shoot? I’m super awkward in front of the camera but once we got going during the engagement shoot, it got easier. I was also more comfortable with my photographer after having done the engagement pics.
Good luck! Having said all that I’m still concerned about my pics too. But I’m not panicked, so it’s an improvement.

I can be really awkward, so it's hard for me to just stop being awkward. My biggest piece of advice is to just live in the moment. Focus on your future spouse and guests, and try to ignore the photographer if it makes you nervous! They're professionals, so they'll know how to not be intrusive

Ha!

Good to hear we're not the only awkward ones and that we will survive even if it's cringey

Ignore the photographer and just enjoy each other’s company. My fiancé and I had fun whispering inappropriate things to each other during our engagement photos, and we got some amazing pictures with genuine smiles. If the photographer was taking individual pictures, the other was standing behind him making faces and whatnot. We had a blast! Just try to have fun and not worry about how you look. You and your fiancé fell in love with each other despite any feelings of awkwardness, and I’m sure that is how you work together as a couple. Your photos will capture your true selves and the love you have for each other, awkward or not.

Breathe.

No, seriously, breathe. Relax. It's very true that a good photographer will make you feel at ease - they will virtually disappear.

But half the time, people feel awkward in photos because they felt they couldn't relax or breathe, and so they look stiff and uncomfortable.

So. Breathe and start talking to your spouse. You'll be so happy and relaxed that you're finally married, you'll look great in pictures.