50 Photos to Take of Your Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress is the most memorable (and probably the costliest) outfit you'll ever wear. Make the most of those 12+ hours by capturing your chosen style in all its splendor on film! "Talk to your photographer in detail about your wish list and carve out time in the day to shoot these moments. You'd be shocked at how many weddings we see where the bride can't find more than two or three good shots of her gown from the whole day!" says Rebecca Schoneveld, a Brooklyn-based gown designer. Check out some basic must-haves, along with beautiful ways to highlight specific gown features.
By: Stefania Sainato
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Engulfed in the Skirt -161606
If your dress features va-va-voom volume, then take advantage of it with this adorable shot.
Photo Credit: Tin Sparrow Studio
Petal-Inspired Perfection
Wearing a floral-inspired dress? Take a cue from this chic bride and choose a bouquet that reflects the lines and textures of your gown's blooms.
Related: Creating the Perfect Bridal Bouquet: Everything You Need to Know
Photo Credit: John Solano / Event Designer: International Event Company
In Motion
On the move! Do a little twirl and play with your wedding gown's skirt to recreate this graceful portrait.
Related: The Most Popular Wedding Photos
Photo Credit: Studio Navigo
All-in-One Shot
We love how this snapshot features all of the bride's accessories, in addition to her gown.
Photo Credit: Jerry Ghionis, member of Professional Photographers of America
Sultry Embrace
We don't know what's more dazzling, that passionate embrace or crystal beadwork.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina
Aisle Debut
There's nothing more exhilarating than the walk down the aisle — capture onlookers' expressions as they see your gown for the first time.
Photo Credit: ProudRad on Bride and Breakfast via Loverly
Aerial View
Up, up, and away! Edmonson Photography utilized a high vantage point to capture this unique portrait of a bride's gown.
Photo Credit: Photography by Edmonson Weddings
Underneath it All
Show off a gorgeous ruffled skirt with this down-under shot.
Photo Credit: Morgan Lynn Photography
Sweeping Train
Pure romance! We're blown away by this flowing train photo.
Photo Credit: Rawsii Photography
First Dance
"Get lots of full-length options while you're dancing! The first dance is such a romantic moment, and the movement of the dress is really at its best," say the pros at Mon Amie Bridal Salon.
Photo Credit: Claire Morgan Photography
Photo Within a Photo
Add a blink-and-you'll-miss-it family photo, childhood keepsake, or another fun surprise.
Related: 100 Sentimental Wedding Ideas
Photo Credit: Zenobia Studios
Swept Up in Romance
Have your newly-minted husband lift you up for a romantic photograph that shows off the volume of your dress.
Photo Credit: Sarah Kate Photography
Cool Backdrop
"Bridal portraits should play off the bride's personality," says Jocelyn Voo from Everly Studios. For example, the graffiti backdrop and leopard sunglasses perfectly complement this bride's fun, free-spirited style.
Photo Credit: Everly Studios
Fawned Over by the Bridesmaids
"I love photos of the mom, sisters, or bridesmaids helping the bride into her gown. It's such a sentimental moment!" Schoneveld says. A messy room can ruin the shot, so she recommends having your loved ones clear away any random items — bags, clothes, curling irons, etc. — from the background first.
Photo Credit: XSIGHT Productions
Side Angle Together
Pucker up for this dynamic couple's portrait idea.
Photo Credit: Zee Anna Photography
With the Skirt Fanned Out
Draw attention to a show-stopping mermaid skirt with this seated pose.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Marie Photography
Side Angle Close-Up
Celebrate your wedding gown from all angles. The bride pictured here had a blast playing dress-up in her gown, and it shows in her photos.
Photo Credit: Melissa Musgrove Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Lindsey Hartsough, Magnolia Event Design / Wedding Dress: Riki Dalal Haute Couture Bridal
On the Hanger
Before you get dressed, your photographer will want to snap some photos of your dress on its own. "Any time you can use natural light coming from a big window, magic is bound to happen!" Schoneveld says. Photographers are also getting creative with "hanger" setups featuring barn doors, crystal chandeliers, trees, and more.
Photo Credit: Camille Catherine Photography
In the Shape of a Heart
We "heart" this whimsical gown portrait by Volkan Kovancisoy Photography.
Photo Credit: Volkan Kovancisoy Photography
The Complete Look From the Front
This full-length photo feels as if it belongs in a high-fashion spread, thanks to the bride's glamorous pose, the dramatic use of lighting, and quirky farm scenery.
Photo Credit: Photography by Edmonson Weddings
The Complete Look With Your Groom
"When you're taking portraits with your partner, make sure you let the photographer know you want several full-length options with your entire dress. So many wedding dresses have gorgeous detail at the bottom. However, a lot of the time, the skirt doesn't even make it into most of the pictures," say the pros at Mon Amie Bridal Salon.
Photo Credit: Linda Chaja Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Lindsey Hartsough, Magnolia Event Design / Wedding Dress: La Soie Bridal
Change of a Dress
Plan on switching to a dance-friendly frock during the party portion of the evening? Let your photographer know so they can snap a few fun photos.
Photo Credit: Linda Chaja Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Lindsey Hartsough, Magnolia Event Design / Reception Dress: Betsy Johnson
Carrying the Train
Who says true gentlemen don't exist anymore? Hats off to this adoring groom.
Photo Credit: Joanna Tano Photography
Capitalize on the Golden Hour
There’s this magical time of day that photographers refer to as "the golden hour" with flattering light that makes everything look gorgeous. Discuss your timeline with your photographer to see if you can sneak away for some pics during this optimal period.
Photo Credit: Melissa Musgrove Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Lindsey Hartsough, Magnolia Event Design
With Your Leg Peeking Out
A peek of leg emphasizes a girlie tulle skirt.
Related: Top 10 Wedding Dresses With Slits
Photo Credit: Rebecca Marie Photography
Classic Portrait
"Talk to your photographer about spending a good 20 to 30 minutes photographing you in a pretty, uncluttered setting. You've put a lot of work into the details of your look, and it's worth scheduling the extra time. As a bonus, you may find that this session is good warm-up practice for the rest of the photos of that day," Schoneveld says.
Photo Credit: Bri Cibene Photography / Wedding Gown: Rebecca Schoneveld
Black-and-White Still Life
Highlight the intricacies of a lace gown with an artsy black and white close-up. (It's much easier to make out the floral and vine-like appliqués than if they were in color.)
Related: Lace Wedding Dresses for Every Bride
Photo Credit: Adonye Jaja Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Bluebird Productions
Do the Bustle
"If your gown has a bustle, ask your photographer to snap a photo of it before the party begins. The bustle often goes up when most of the formal photos are over, and lots of times brides never even get to see how pretty the back of their gown looked," Schoneveld says.
Photo Credit: Bri Cibene Photography / Wedding Gown: Rebecca Schoneveld
Back Shot Together
A "first look" provided the perfect opportunity to capture this bride's sweet bow back detail, along with her dapper groom's duds.
Photo Credit: Justin DeMutiis Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Tracie Domino Events
Getting Zipped In
Highlight the dreamy details of your gown with an action close-up. Lace embroidery, ruching, and illusion panels are all shown to perfection in this photograph.
Photo Credit: Aaron Lockwood Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Tracie Domino Events
The Bodice
"The bouquet shot is a must-have, but make sure you get a few photos of your bodice at an angle without your flowers, so they don't cover your gown details," say the pros at Mon Amie Bridal Salon.
Photo Credit: Hazelnut Photography / Bridal Salon: Mon Amie Bridal Salon
Group Shot Carrying the Train
Enlist the help of your nearest and dearest to pull off this giddy "I'm getting married!" shot.
Photo Credit: Love Me Do Photography
Buttoned Up
If your dress has buttons running along the length of the back, then add some extra time to your getting-ready schedule to capture this elegant detail.
Photo Credit: Mioara Dragan Photography
The Sleeves
Delicate lace sleeves are the focus of this ethereal portrait.
Related: 50+ Modest Wedding Dresses That'll Make You Feel Like a Princess
Photo Credit: Bri Cibene Photography / Wedding Gown: Rebecca Schoneveld
Straps Detail
Show off embellished straps with an over-the-shoulder pose.
Photo Credit: Adonye Jaja Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Bluebird Productions
Alone in Church
If you're saying "I do" in a house of worship, then you'll want a head-to-toe shot of your gorgeous gown captured in this holy setting.
Photo Credit: Love Me Do Photography
A Change of Scenery
Add variety to your wedding album by shooting in a couple of different locations.
Photo Credit: La Candella Weddings
Back Shot With Veil
Snap a few photos with and without your veil for maximum versatility.
Photo Credit: Aaron Delesie / Event Coordination and Design: Easton Events
From a Distance
Showcase all of the details of your venue that you fell in love with for a frame-worthy dress shot.
Photo Credit: Photography by Edmonson Weddings
Stepping Into Your Gown
Savor a quiet moment alone before inviting everyone into the room with you.
Related: 200+ Emotional Wedding Moments
Photo Credit: Elevate Photography
Side Angle
This bride's mesmerizing portrait proves that sometimes side-eye can be a good thing.
Photo Credit: Jana Williams / Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav / Planning and Design: Gather Events
Laying Out the Dress
A poufy skirt gets the royal princess treatment from the bridesmaids, resulting in this magical photo.
Photo Credit: Jana Williams / Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav / Planning and Design: Gather Events
Back Shot Close-Up
Lean in for a hug and have your partner put their hands on your waist for a swoon-worthy shot.
Photo Credit: Jana Williams / Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav / Planning and Design: Gather Events
Putting On Shoes
Not only does this pose give us a glimpse of the bride's eye-catching heels, but it also accentuates her gown's adorned hem.
Photo courtesy of The Invisible Bridesmaid / Event Coordination and Design: The Invisible Bridesmaid / Bridal Salon: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
On the Floor
Carefully plop down on the ground, encircled by your gown's skirt.
Photo Credit: Chantal Lawrie / Event Coordination and Design: The Invisible Bridesmaid / Bridal Salon: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
Admiring Your Dress
If your photographer is scheduled to arrive in the early hours before the ceremony, then you'll want to take some photos interacting with the dress. This bride's ecstatic expression gives us all the feels.
Related: 60 Must-Have "Getting Ready" Photos
Photo Credit: Justin Demutiis Photography / Bridal Salon: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
Back Shot Solo
Have your photographer take detailed pictures that show off just the back of your gown.
Photo courtesy of The Invisible Bridesmaid / Event Coordination and Design: The Invisible Bridesmaid / Bridal Salon: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
Your Groom's Reaction
This groom's reaction upon seeing his bride for the first time is priceless.
Photo Credit: Clane Gessel Photography
