Jewish weddings are so full of memorable moments. The emotion, the tradition, the energy, and above all, the love – there’s just so much Jewish joy in the air. And your wedding photos are the thing that allows you to preserve all that joy for a lifetime. But with so much going on, how do you make sure all the most essential bits get captured for posterity?
I sat down with Liam and Stam from Liam Collard Photography, the international award-winning London-based wedding photographers behind some truly unforgettable STG weddings, to pick out the top 10 must-have shots for your Jewish wedding album – the bare-bones basic ones you absolutely, 100% don’t want to be without.
Liam and Stam have photographed Jewish weddings around the world in their trademark creative documentary style, and their years of experience mean they’re perfectly primed to share their expertise on how to make sure all those individual moments come together to form a carefully crafted narrative of your day in a way that’s compelling, emotional, and totally you. So without further ado, let’s get to the photos!
The Tisch
The tisch is where the groom’s party gathers to celebrate before the ceremony. It’s a time of joy, tradition, and often lively singing and dancing. Liam and Stam love capturing candid, documentary-style shots of the heartfelt speeches, camaraderie, and powerful emotions.
The Ketubah
The moment when the couple (or in some instances just the groom) signs the traditional Jewish marriage contract is such a powerful testament to the sacred commitment you’re making to each other. Liam and Stam note that this moment lends itself to gorgeous images with soft, intimate lighting and thoughtful composition.
The Badeken
We hear time and time again that this is one of THE most emotional Jewish wedding moments, and it’s easy to see why. There’s nothing like the moment when the groom covers his bride’s face with a veil – especially if the couple have spent the past 24 hours, or even longer, apart per Jewish tradition – and you want to make sure you choose a photographer who’s equipped to capture the narrative of this moving ritual.
The Chuppah
Naturally you’ll want photos of the two of you standing under the chuppah – the focal point of the Jewish wedding ceremony. The beautiful symbolism of the chuppah as the new home you and your love are building together, the emotional connection, and the beauty of the chuppah structure itself all lend themselves to stunning images that beautifully encapsulate the essence of your ceremony.
Sheva Brachot
The moment when the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings, are recited is so full of joy, Said over a cup of wine that the couple then drinks from, marking the blessings bestowed upon them for their life together, the Sheva Brachot make for truly memorable images.
Smashing the Glass
The smashing the glass shot is possibly the most iconic image of the entire Jewish wedding (not that we’re biased or anything!). Signifying the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the mixture of loss and joy that lies at the heart of what it means to be Jewish, this moment is one Liam and Stam adore capturing. And of course once the glass is smashed, the cheers and applause from your guests make for priceless memories too!
Couples Portraits
Taking some time for couples portraits is not only a wonderful way to capture your love, it’s also a great opportunity to get a few minutes of quiet reflection in a day that can otherwise be full-on.
That said, your couples session doesn’t need to be long, and Liam and Stam actually specialise in doing short sessions that get you everything you want in a timely manner so you can get back to the celebration. They suggest doing two or three 5 to 10 minute sessions so you can capture lots of different moments together without it taking over your day.
Emotional Moments
Jewish weddings are known for being chock full of emotion – and Liam and Stam emphasize that it’s so important to make sure your photographer captures those candid moments that happen throughout the day. From heartfelt speeches to the exhilarating and unexpected moments, these candid shots will serve as cherished memories to last a lifetime.
Family Portraits
Family is a huge part of Jewish weddings, so make sure you get some beautiful shots of all your loved ones gathered together to celebrate you. A lot of people think staged family portraits are cheesy, but they absolutely don’t have to be, and working with a photographer with a sophisticated creative vision – like Liam and Stam – will ensure you end up with family photos you’ll be proud to display.
The Hora
From the second the hora begins, and the guests lift you and your spouse in chairs to the heart-pounding music and dancing, this iconic moment deserves to be captured in all its glory. The sheer joy and exhilaration on everyone’s faces, the swirling of the chairs, and the energy of the dance floor create a captivating scene. Liam and Stam always make sure to catch the party in full swing, with smiles, laughter, and ecstatic moments that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
So there you have it! Ten of the moments that make a Jewish wedding so unforgettable, the ones you’ll want to capture so you can relive the magic of this special day for years to come. Bookmark this post to share with your photographer – and if you’re looking for exquisite creative documentary-style photographers with tons of experience capturing exquisite Jewish weddings, you couldn’t do any better than to reach out to Liam and Stam themselves to see if they’ve got your date free!
Contact Liam Collard Photography
+44 (0) 7584255361
liam@liamcollard.com
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