Do you ever get the feeling you’ve seen someone’s wedding pictures before? Is it almost as if there are no differences between wedding albums, besides dress colors and faces? Luckily, there are many unique ways to avoid having your wedding day pictures look like everyone else’s. Although you should still have pictures taken of traditional poses such as the wedding party, you and your groom and both families, there are some fun ways to liven up your wedding photos.  Consider a few friends as a candid photographers armed with disposable cameras  in addition to your professional photographer.

Before meeting with your photographers, take a walk around your ceremony and reception sites. Pay close attention to anything that may be a great background. Does your ceremony site have stained glass windows or ornate artwork? Does your reception site have a beautiful entry way or a gorgeous dance floor? When you meet with your photographer, provide a list of possible shots you would like taken and possible locations.  Remember, a great location may not led itself to professional photographs.  Listen to your professional photographer.  

You know how much preparation it takes to plan a wedding, and how much time it takes just to prepare yourself the day of the wedding. Have your photographer take pictures of you while you are having your hair and make up done or while your groom is having his tie straightened.  

Have your candid photographer take pictures just before or after each of your photographer’s photos. When your photos include the whole wedding party, your friend or relative may have the only photo with everyone looking in the right direction! Or, on the other hand, there may be some hilarious shots of people’s faces while they are more relaxed and talking to each other while waiting for your photographer to get ready.  Have them include the photographer in a few pictures to get the 'behind the scenes' type of pictures.  Have one of your candid photographers take pictures of the friends and family arriving or signing your guest book.  Have a few pictures taken of people being escorted down the isle.

A few fun ideas for poses include having a photo with all the guys and the bride and one with all the girls and the groom. Each one can have the bride and groom being kissed on the cheek by a couple of the attendants. Have a photo taken of you and your groom looking at each other and smiling as if you are sharing a private joke, or while your groom is sitting down, casually lean over his shoulders for a more relaxed photo. Instead of always lining everyone up, get all your attendants together for an informal group shot. Let them sit or stand where they want, and have them drape their arms around you and around each other. Have a picture taken of you and your new husband from the back as you walk out of the ceremony. On your way to the reception site, have your photographer take a photograph of you and your wedding party while you are in your form of transportation. If it’s nice outside, stop at a park, someone’s backyard or anywhere else that has pretty scenery, and have pictures taken.

If your friends from college or your office are at your wedding, have a group shot taken with them. Another idea is to have a photo taken of different generations. It could begin with a great-grandparent and end with you or your youngest niece or nephew.

Black-and-white photographs can be enhanced with sepia-tone colors, or only have one item in the photograph highlighted with color, such as your bouquet. Since many of your friends and relatives will be snapping pictures that day, ask a couple of them to use black-and-white film in their cameras. Between them and your photographer, there should be some great shots.

If you decide you would like to put disposable cameras on the tables at your reception, you may want to attach a note letting your guests know it is for pictures of them and their activities. Otherwise, you may end up with the same pictures, at different angles, from every table. 

Have a candid photographer stand at the reception line and, at your request, take pictures of friends and family members with you and your groom as they arrive.  Just quick group shots will add variety to your wedding diary.

Ask your photographer to take a picture of your reception room before everyone gets there. Have a photo taken of your guest book and gift tables. Find out how much extra it would cost to have your photographer stay for your entire reception. Often, by the end of the night, everyone is feeling extremely relaxed and more willing to have their pictures taken. If your DJ or band is on a platform or stage, have one of them, or your photographer, take a picture while people are on the dance floor having a good time, or have them call everyone to the dance floor for a group photo. It would be a great idea to have a friend, or your photographer, take a picture of each table while your guests are seated. You will be so busy you may not remember everyone who was there, but the pictures will be a wonderful, permanent reminder!

Original Author: unknown, Supplemented by NowMarried.com