Candid wedding planning advice from St. Simons Wedding Photographer Tags Photography

Embracing Candid Moments: A St. Simons Wedding Photographer’s Advice for Intentional Wedding Planning

As a St. Simons wedding photographer with a documentary meets editorial photography style, I’ve realized that the best wedding galleries are the ones filled with intentional, pre-planned (and sometimes unplanned) moments. It’s truly amazing when you can capture an authentic, candid wedding day that doesn’t feel overly staged. That’s exactly how Claire and Connor’s wedding day at the stunning Forbes Farm in St. Simons Island, GA went.

Why Candid Moments Matter

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, joy, and the beautiful journey you’re about to embark on with your partner. While traditional wedding portraits certainly have their place, there’s something truly magical about incorporating candid moments into your special day. In this blog post, we explore the charm and authenticity of capturing unscripted moments through the lens of St. Simons wedding photographer Tags Photography.

Getting Ready Moments: First Looks, Emotional Embraces, and Laughter

Claire’s morning started at The Cloister at Sea Island with a delicious brunch and her showering her bridesmaids with love and gifts. While sipping mimosas, the bridesmaids hung out at the pool eagerly awaiting their first look of Claire in her wedding dress. After fawning over Claire’s classic wedding day look, they hopped on a trolley to head over to Forbes Farm.

Meanwhile, Connor and his groomsmen were at the venue sharing cigars, drinks and laughs. After a tearful first look between the bride and groom, each side of the wedding party took turns causing pure chaos on the get away car – a baby blue Moke that perfectly matched the rest of Claire’s perfectly curated decor.

Let’s not forget the emotional moments! Claire stole hearts as she shared first looks with her dad, stepdad and brother – showering them, her mom and her mother-in-law with sentimental gifts. Pre-ceremony moments like getting ready is time to soak up the laughter and heartfelt moments with your loved ones to create a candid wedding experience.

Special Pre-Ceremony Moments

To create a candid experience, Claire and Connor organized a pre-ceremony cocktail hour, allowing their guests to mingle before the ceremony. Claire and Connor watched their guests arrive and mingle from inside the reception hall before sneaking away to the bridal suite for a little private time. With some champagne, they practiced their first dance moves while enjoying a few sips. It was the perfect way to let loose and shake off any pre-wedding jitters.

Where was the wedding party? Claire and Connor wanted their wedding party to be the first to try out the iconic Frose machine from Porch St. Simons! When planning your wedding, include your unique personality and style to create candid pre-ceremony moments, such as a fun cocktail hour or treats, that will allow you and your guests to make lasting memories.

Claire and Connor’s Unforgettable Post-Ceremony Celebration

From the moment their guests arrived at the reception, they were greeted by a line-up of wedding party members, who set the tone for a fun-filled evening. The result? Happy guests and cute moments captured on camera! To show their appreciation, Claire and Connor set up a “favor wall” where they wrote handwritten thank you notes to each and every guest. Also, this couple didn’t have a typical seating chart. They wanted their loved ones to walk around and chat, so they ditched the formalities and provided limited seating. For the music, the star of the night was The Tony Howard Show, who had everyone on their feet and created special moments! Their thoughtful touches, from the party line-up to the handwritten notes, and the live band, made their wedding day a non-stop party. Let their wedding day inspire you to make your own wedding an unforgettable candid day!

Some Kind Words From Claire

“That was more than I could have ever comprehended. To say you knocked it out of the park is the understatement of the century. Thank you for capturing my day in a way I can recall for the rest of Connor and I’s life. There are no words. We’ll cherish these forever. I truly can’t wait to share these with my kids someday – I’m just utterly in awe.”

Planning your own candid wedding day? Let’s work together!

As a St. Simons Wedding Photographer (and destination wedding photographer in general), I’m all about capturing the intentional and candid moments of a wedding day. If you’re looking for a destination wedding photographer, I would love to capture your special day! You can learn more about the wedding experience I provide here. If you think I’d be the perfect match to capture your wedding, then inquire with me here! I can’t wait to hear from you! In the meantime, follow me on Instagram to stay connected!