Outdoor weddings give you that perfect mixture of natural beauty and personalized charm for that stunning photo backdrop on one of the most important days of your life. If you’re planning a wedding at one of the best garden wedding venues NJ has to offer or hiring a top wedding photographer NJ, you want to make sure to capture every moment for posterity. Here are five ways you can make the most of your outdoor venue for those gorgeous wedding photos that’ll last a lifetime.
Scout the Venue for Ideal Photo Locations
You want to pick an outdoor venue that has a lot of great, picturesque spots for your photos. While you’re planning your wedding, work with your photographer ahead of time to figure out the best locations for different moments, like romantic couple portraits or group photos with your wedding party.
Industry experts agree that a minimum of three different photo locations within your chosen venue are ideal and make a big difference in your final album. An NJ outdoor wedding venue photography guide suggests you should look for certain elements like gardens, gazebos, or scenic water features. This way, you’ll have some variety and different perspectives from which to tell the story of the day. Additionally, when you work with a wedding photographer NJ, they’ll be able to recommend the best angles and lighting for the features you’ve scouted beforehand.
The best wedding photographers recommend venues with several statement pieces like arches, gates, or fountains that’ll make unique backdrops for the romantic photos you’ll treasure most from the day.
Consider the Timing for Optimal Lighting
Natural light is ideal for photographers, but taking full advantage of it requires some planning and preparation. Outdoor weddings offer unique lighting opportunities, but it’s all in the timing. You can get the most out of your venue by scheduling the photoshoot around the golden hour, that magical time in the evening when the sun casts soft, warm light. It’ll enhance the colors and textures of your surroundings in a garden wedding, especially.
Ceremony lighting is also quite important. Ideally, you should be positioned with the sun behind you, around 10 or 2 o’clock for even, flattering lighting. When you don’t make these lighting considerations, you’ll experience harsh shadows and uneven exposure, which diminishes the quality of your photos.
When you work with a wedding photographer NJ, they can help you plan your wedding timeline to make sure to capture every important moment in the best possible light. Keep this in mind when choosing your ceremony and reception times, as well as when scheduling your pre-wedding photoshoot.
Use the Venue’s Natural Elements
The main reason for having an outdoor wedding is the variety of natural elements that’ll make your photos that much better. A well-chosen venue will have tons of organic features that make the atmosphere more romantic and timeless, like towering trees and blooming flowers.
Incorporate these natural elements into the photography to get the most out of your venue. A how to plan wedding photos NJ garden guide could recommend using flowering trees as a backdrop for group photos or positioning the bridal party near a scenic pond or bridge for dramatic effect.
Photographers tend to love venues with lush greenery or floral arches, since they give a soft, elegant backdrop great for all kinds of wedding photos. Elements like this make your NJ outdoor wedding venue photography stand out, so they’re better representations of the ambiance and beauty of your special day.
Incorporate Seasonal Elements for a Unique Look
New Jersey experiences all four seasons distinctly, so the best garden wedding venue NJ captures each season’s unique charm, from the vibrant flowers of spring or the golden hues of autumn. Your wedding photographer NJ will help you use these seasonal elements to the fullest when it comes to your wedding photos.
You can boost the venue’s visual appeal with season décor, as well. Let’s say you’re having a spring wedding. If that’s the case, you can feature fresh blossoms and greenery. On the other hand, if you’re having a fall wedding, you could lean into the warm, earthy tones of changing leaves. When you leverage these seasonal elements and props, your photos feel more natural and aligned with the time of year, so your wedding as a whole becomes more personal and memorable.
Personalize the Setting with Decorative Details
Finally, personalization is key to making your outdoor wedding venue stand out. Work with your wedding planner to add unique decorative details that represent your personality and the themes you want for your wedding.
Adding custom-made arches, floral installations, or even unique lighting elements can create stunning focal points for your photographer to capture. These additions make your photos more visually interesting and add to the story of your day.
For example, a wedding photographer might suggest that you work with your venue to create a photo wall or set up a vintage lounge area for guests. These details can be used as props or simply to create a backdrop for candid photos throughout the event.
Synthesizing Photos and Venues
Your outdoor wedding venue provides the perfect setting for beautiful, natural photos that reflect the joy and romance of your special day. By following these five tips—scouting the venue, planning around lighting, utilizing natural and seasonal elements, and personalizing the space—you’ll create a photo album that captures every magical moment.
Remember to work closely with your wedding photographer NJ and venue to make sure the day goes off without a hitch. With the right collaboration, your best garden wedding venue NJ will become the canvas for the most stunning wedding photos you could imagine, leaving you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
