What is a Formal Session?

Every time I book a wedding, I always ask if the couple they want a separate formal session in addition to the wedding. Some people already know what this entails, but I have a lot of clients who respond asking, “What are formals?”

Formals are almost as important as your wedding day coverage!

So… WHAT are they exactly?

A formal shoot can be done before or after your wedding day. It is a separate session where can can go explore another location. For my destination couples, we oftentimes do this session the day after their wedding.

Doing a formal session means that you get more couples coverage than you would if you just had the photos from your wedding day itself. It’s a shoot where the couples gets all dressed up—suit, dress, hair and all—and get pictures taken as if it’s their wedding day. It’s an extension of the wedding day. If the formal session is taking place before the wedding day, it often begins with a “first look”, which is when we capture your reactions to seeing each other for the first time.

WHO is in the formal pictures?

A formal session could be a portrait session of just one of you. Sometimes my brides will do this if thwy want adventure formal photos before the wedding day but still want to save the first look for the aisle. But most of the time, a formal session includes both people in the couple. No bridal party or family. Formals are an intimate time for the couple to be alone and in love, not distracted by the chaos of a wedding day or by hundreds of excited guests. It is a time for them to reflect on their love story and think about their future together. I’ll capture photos of you two together and get some individuals and detail shots.

WHEN and WHERE do we do a formal session?

A formal shoot can really take place any time. If you want some formal photos to post on social media on your wedding day, I recommend doing the formal session a few weeks before the wedding. If you want to save your first look for the wedding day, I recommend doing a day-after formal session. The great thing is, you can go to any location for this session. Many of my couples will choose an adventure location or a national park that we realistically wouldn’t have had time for on the wedding day.

WHY are formals such a good idea?

1. TIME. The biggest benefit of doing your formals before your wedding is saving time. The wedding day is already very busy and everyone becomes quickly exhausted; more pictures aren’t always the easiest to fit in. Besides, you want your wedding day to be as relaxing as possible. You should enjoy your day and celebrate with everyone else. We will still take couples photos on the wedding day, but the formal session allows us to go to a location that we otherwise might not have had time for.

2. AMOUNT OF PICTURES. To me, the best thing about formals is that you get MORE pictures in an incredible location. And who doesn’t want MORE wedding photos?! You simply can never have enough.

3. DECOR. Another reason formals are important (like I mentioned above) is that you can have those pictures for your wedding. A lot of couples put their formal photos on a slideshow or print on canvases to display at the wedding. Showcasing your formal photos personalizes your day even more. And this way, you already have professional wedding pictures that you can post on social media the day of your wedding. You won’t have to wait for sneak peeks to show everyone!

Now that you know what formals are, there’s no reason not to include them in your wedding plans! I offer various wedding collections that include a formal session. Inquire below for investment and collection information.