Essex Alternative Documentary Photographer - 5 Reasons Why Kids Are Awesome At Weddings

This is a very divided area when it comes to who you choose to invite to your special day and anyone reading this that attended my own wedding from many moons ago, will be screaming – YOU HYPOCRITE – and yes, I’ll own up to the fact that we didn’t have kids at our wedding.  But….in my defence, I hadn’t yet spawned my own brood and was totally unaware of the joy that these little love fruits can bring! So, as an Essex based alternative documentary photographer, I now find I gravitate towards the kids, simply because I now realise how awesome and funny they are, and provide me with endless photo opportunities.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I stalk the little darlings….but I really just can’t help taking endless photos of them. 

Do we or do we not invite the kids?

So if you’re wondering whether to have kids at your wedding, read below why I think having KIDS at your wedding would be AWESOME, and why I love to capture alternative documentary style photographs of them doing what they do best. 

Being In Awe Of The Princess Bride

There’s no denying it, kids LOVE a princess – right?  And to a kid all brides are princesses for the day.  The looks that the kids give the brides are just so beautifully heart melting.  Kids just don’t fake this kinda thing….period!!  They are beyond excited to be a part of this ‘royal’ family and wear their own special princess dresses and smart little suits, especially if they are a part of your bridal party.  The kids almost explode with excitement during bridal prep.  It’s something that will be a part of their special memories for ever more, and what an awesome gift that is to give to a child.  The Children just love to feel a part of your special day so, when you give them a specific roll or job…they absolutely smash it. 

Do You Mind….I’m Busy Doing Something!!

My favourite thing about photographing kids at weddings is that they really don’t give a damn about what is supposed to be happening.  They are either so bored by the wedding ceremony that they start rooting about for bogies, or maybe after they become obsessed by the confetti on the floor, or best of all…..a brides dress is the best place to play hide and seek.  These for me being an ‘alternative documentary photographer’ are the best photo opportunities.  I find it gives me the freedom to use my creative photography skills freely.

Too Cool For Cats

Enter the Tweenagers – yes you read that right….tweenagers - the 9-12 year olds.  The ‘I’m still a kid and want to play and run around, but we’re starting to know how to be cool and don’t want to make an idiot of ourselves and we’re in charge of the little kids’…right??  These can be tricky if I don’t get them on my side straight away.  I can’t use my terrible jokes to make them laugh, and my googly eyes that I put on fingers are a washout for these cool cats.  So, what do I do?? Well, to be honest I improvise and a little bit of bribary goes a long way.  These dudes are normally being uber cool scrolling away on their (or their parents) phones or screens, so I use my Alternative documentary photography skills and exchange a few phone photography tricks with them – win win in my book.  I’m keeping up with the kids and they’re picking up ‘PRO SKILLZ’.

DANCING

Who can resist loving the knee sliders and the skirt twirlers on the dance floor?  Unlike us adults that need a bit of the old Dutch courage and maybe a cheeky G&T or 2,  The kids really don’t give a damn if you’re just about to do your first dance of cut the cake (I like to taste the cake….just saying ;-)) they just want to shake their thang.  Some kids don’t need any music at all, but if you want to get the best swisher photographs, it might be a good idea to get your DJ or venue put some cheesy background pop music on to get the kids ‘a groovin’.  I’m bound to capture some uber cute alternative photos of them.

Nap Time

Last of all….When you’re only little, there are times when it all gets a bit too much.  Some venues have ideal buggy parking spots, others have the best chairs that you can push together to create the perfect temporary bed (remember doing this when you were young?) falling asleep at the most crucial time is without doubt undeniably cute….especially as they often have a huge fear of missing out throughout the day, so do their damnedest to stay wide awake no matter how crappy they get.  My advice….Just roll with it, have that glass of wine, go and party for a bit and let me take some alternative documentary photographs of them.  Top tip tho…..take their bedtime jammies with you and get them to change into them once you’re at the reception as you’ll save yourself a load of hassle later on in the evening.

If you’re planning on getting wed in the near future, feel free to click here for a no obligation chat about your big event.