You know you want the big moments photographed. The first look, the walk down the aisle, the first kiss, the first dance, the big family photo…those are the moments everyone tells you to remember. But what about the little moments? The ones that happen in between all the big, flashy events?

In my years as a wedding photographer, I’ve found that some of the photos couples end up loving most aren’t always the ones they expected. They’re the tiny, in-between moments that bring them right back to how their wedding day felt. The little details, the hugs, the happy chaos, and all the people who made the day special.

Here are a few of the little wedding moments you’ll be so glad you photographed!

1. It’s All in the Details

Let’s be honest: you probably spent a lot of time choosing the little details. Your invitations, perfume, shoes, jewelry, rings, flowers, and all the little pieces that made up your wedding day didn’t just magically appear!

While these details may not seem like the most important part of your wedding day in the moment, they help tell the whole story when you look back on your photos. Your perfume might remind you of the scent you wore on your wedding day. Your invitations might bring back memories of the months of planning that led up to it. And those shoes hiding under your dress? Well, they deserve their moment too!

I love photographing these little details because they give you a chance to remember not just what your wedding looked like, but all the little choices that made it feel like yours.

2. Getting Ready With Your Favorite People

There’s something so special about the getting-ready part of a wedding day. Maybe it’s your mom helping you put on your dress, your best friend fixing your veil, or everyone squeezing into the room for one last photo before you head downstairs.

These moments can be chaotic (in the best way!), emotional, and sometimes just plain funny. Someone is probably looking for a bobby pin, someone else is finishing their makeup, and there’s a very good chance someone is asking what time the ceremony starts even though it has been announced approximately 47 times. But those are the moments you’ll miss!

Photographing the people who were right there beside you as everything came together is one of my favorite ways to tell the story of your wedding day.

3. The Quiet Moments

Wedding days can move fast. One minute you’re getting your hair done and the next you’re walking down the aisle wondering where the last six hours went.

That’s why I love looking for the quiet moments, too. Maybe it’s you standing by a window before the ceremony, taking a deep breath. Maybe it’s the two of you holding hands around a corner before the guests arrive. Maybe it’s a few seconds alone after the ceremony when you finally get a chance to take everything in.

These moments may not be on your shot list, but they can be some of the most meaningful photos from your day.

4. The Champagne!

Wedding days are celebrations, after all! So yes, I absolutely want to photograph the champagne.

But I also want to photograph the little moments that make your wedding day feel like your actual life. These moments are fun because they’re real! Pouring a glass of champagne with your bridesmaids, sneaking a quick bite because you forgot to eat, or laughing with your friends while you get ready are some of the most precious moments you’ll look back at fondly. And, my favorite part is that they give even more of a glimpse into how your wedding day actually felt.

Not every photo needs to look perfectly posed. Sometimes the best photos are the ones where you’re just doing what you would normally do with the people you love.

5. The People Watching You Get Married

Your wedding day is about the two of you, but it’s also about the people who showed up to celebrate you.

Your grandparents watching you walk down the aisle. Your dad wiping away a tear. Your best friend laughing during the ceremony. Your mom looking at you from across the room. Your friends losing their minds on the dance floor.

These are the moments you might not even notice happening in real time. You’re going to be busy getting married! You can’t possibly see every reaction, every happy tear, and every little moment happening around you. That’s one of my favorite parts of being your photographer: getting to notice those things for you and capturing them so you can look back at the night from everyone’s perspective!!

6. The Post-Ceremony Hugs & Celebration

You just got married! Naturally, everyone is going to want to hug you.

There’s something about the few minutes immediately after the ceremony that feels so full. Everyone is excited, you’re finally able to breathe, and suddenly you’re surrounded by the people you love most. The hugs from your parents. The grandparents. Your wedding party. The friend you haven’t seen in three years who immediately starts crying when they see you.

These moments can be quick, but they’re worth remembering.

7. The Completely Unplanned Moments

Not everything needs to go according to plan.

Maybe your veil flies away. Maybe your flower girl decides she is officially done participating. Maybe your grandma gets on the dance floor and absolutely steals the show. Maybe someone makes you laugh right before a photo. Those are the moments that make your wedding day yours.

As much as I love the beautifully planned portraits, I always want to leave room for the unexpected. Years from now, those photos might be the ones that make you laugh the hardest.

8. The End of the Night

And then, somehow, it’s over.

The dance floor starts to empty. Your shoes come off. Your flowers end up sitting on a table. Your lipstick has probably faded a little. Everyone is tired, happy, and still riding the high of the day. Maybe it’s one last dance together. Maybe it’s walking outside into the night. Maybe it’s a quiet moment in the car after you leave the reception. Whatever it looks like for you, don’t forget to photograph the ending.

Because your wedding day isn’t just the ceremony, the portraits, and the reception. It’s the entire story from beginning to end.

My Biggest Piece of Advice

Of course, you should photograph the big moments. You absolutely want the first kiss, the walk down the aisle, and the portraits with all the people you love. But don’t forget about everything happening around those moments.

The perfume you wore. Your mom fastening your necklace. The champagne toast with your best friends. Your grandparents watching from the front row. The giant hug from your dad after the ceremony. The completely unplanned moment that made you laugh until you cried.

Those little moments might not feel like the most important photos on your wedding day. But years from now, they may be the ones that bring you right back. Because your wedding photos shouldn’t just remind you what your day looked like. They should remind you what it felt like.

So don’t stress about remembering every little moment yourself! Leave it to me to capture the big, extravagant moments and all the little ones in between. My goal is to give you photos that feel genuine, personal, and true to your day, so you can focus on being present and enjoying it all. If you’re ready to start planning, I’d love to help!