WeddingWedding Series

Wedding Series: Getting into the Dress

By August 12thOctober 19th, 20205 Comments

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Among many worthwhile reasons, I photograph weddings because I love marriage. If you’ve spent any amount of time on my site, I hope you already know that. This set of images is specifically representative of the women who have chosen me to photograph their wedding days. After several blessed years in the wedding industry, I have learned that my work attracts people who also love and value marriage, and I am so thankful for that attraction.

You see, my brides are beautifully inspiring. They are women who take commitment seriously, entering with reverence and grace, and that quality did not develop accidentally. I have learned through observation, that each of these lovely ladies deeply understands the commitment she is making because of the people in her life who have demonstrated what it means to love. That is why I appreciate the part of the day when the bride is getting into her dress. There is something so raw and compelling about the moments leading up to the second a woman sees herself as a bride in the mirror. A palpable vulnerability transforms into anticipation; then in some magical manner, the room fills with a radiant pride as an intimate group of friends, mentors, and admiring supporters overflows with love for the girl they have seen grow into a woman. The bride glows and the ones who love her radiate a joy that can only be felt by kindred spirits.

I always recommend including the moments of getting ready into a wedding day photography timeline. The final set of images should tell a story, and this part of the day is an essential part of the story. The teary moment when a mom or a sister realizes the bride is all grown up, the sentimental moment when a grandmother passes down an heirloom piece of jewelry, the hilarious moment when a bridesmaid has to reach inside the gown to straighten the silk underlay: you will want to remember these. I want to make sure you remember these. Months or years from now, on a day when life isn’t quite as pretty as it is today, I want one of my brides to pass by a box of wedding photo prints on the mantle and pick it up. When she looks through the stack, I want her to see her foundation for life and love and to remember what she stands for.

I am excited that this post is only the beginning of a series of posts. I am working to culminate collections of meaningful, genuine, timeless wedding photos, from some of my favorite parts of a wedding day. Stay tuned for another collection next week! Thank you for stopping by.

[Buffy Dekmar is a film photographer in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in weddings and beautiful, luminous, genuine family portraiture. You can reach her at buffy@buffydekmar.com or by phone at 706-333-3216.]

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