Engaged couples can find inspiration for wedding day photos from friends, family, and across social media. However, when it comes to capturing Catholic wedding photos, there are a few moments that couples may not have thought of.
Here are the top 10 moments every Catholic couple should ask for on their special day, from the perspective of a Catholic wedding videographer and photographer.
1. Consecration of the Holy Eucharist
This is a Four Loves Photo & Film favorite, and easily the most powerful moment of any Catholic Nuptial Mass. This shot showcases the married couple and the tangible presence of Christ through the Holy Eucharist. It is the ultimate display of love: A bride and a groom, who have just devoted their lives to each other, kneeling before the holy sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
2. Newlyweds with the Bride’s Wedding Veil
This shot brings couple portraits to life. Whether it’s a kiss, embrace, or simply looking into each other’s eyes, incorporating the wedding veil into a shot makes those intimate moments feel warmer. From a theological perspective, this style of photo is also an artistic nod to how the veil between Heaven and Earth thins during the mass celebration, inviting the saints in heaven to celebrate with you.
3. Prayers Before the Nuptial Mass
These are quiet, sentimental moments that the bride and groom treasure forever. They includes photos of a bride praying with her father before he walks her down the aisle, or a groom praying with his groomsmen before entering the church. Ask your wedding photographer to capture these reverent moments in addition to the typical “getting ready” photos.
4. First Look or First Touch
Couples typically do this outside of the church or at another venue. Wherever you choose to make this moment happen, make sure your photographer is there to capture it. Many Catholic couples choose to make this First Look/Touch a time to pray together, too. That means this shot might be the final photo of the couple before they become united in Holy Matrimony!
5. Kneeling after the Reception of Holy Communion
This is a simple shot that features just the couple as they kneel after receiving the Holy Eucharist. It is also a monumental capture since it documents the first time that the two receive communion as a married couple. Make sure your wedding photographer is ready for this pivotal moment!
6. Marian Devotion
Whether the couple brings flowers to a statue of Mary before, during, or after the Nuptial Mass, this is another beautiful moment to capture. Depending on the church, Catholic couples may visit a Marian chapel, grotto, or statue somewhere else on the property.
7. The Newlyweds with the Tabernacle
Another uniquely Catholic photo every Catholic newlywed couple should ask for, this shot focuses on the tabernacle while the couple remains out-of-focus in the frame. It’s an artful way to highlight the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
8. Wedding Guests in Communion Lines
This is a must-ask for couples who want to remember everyone who attended their Nuptial Mass. There will be plenty of photos and videos highlighting guests at the wedding reception and in the official wedding portraits, but this is a moment to see your guests participating in the wedding Mass.
9. Kiss at the End of the Aisle
Everyone loves a picture of the first kiss at the altar, but there’s another magical moment waiting to be captured at the end of the mass. Let your wedding photographer know that you want to capture your second kiss as husband and wife—right before you exit the church.
10. Newlyweds with the Priest
Especially if the couple is close with the priest who marries them, this is a must-take photo. It is often an overlooked photo, as family and bridal party portraits tend to be top-of-mind. Make sure to let your wedding photographer know if you want a portrait with the priest(s).
When Christ is the center of your relationship, your wedding is bound to be a radiant day. Use this list of 10 Catholic wedding photos every couple should take on their wedding day to build an album of all the day’s moments, particularly those that are uniquely Catholic.
Connect with a Catholic Wedding Videographer and Photographer
Need a Catholic Wedding Photographer and Videographer who can capture all of these shots and more? Submit the form below to connect with the Four Loves Photo & Film team. Catholic wedding photos and films are our speciality.
Joanna Schnitzer is a Catholic Wedding Photographer and Videographer and founder of Four Loves Photo and Film. She is a devout Catholic, wife, and mother with a passion for serving couples on the most important day of their lives. Before pursuing photography full-time, Joanna spent nearly a decade as a Youth Minister at parishes in central Florida.
