13 wedding poses for couples
Wedding-day poses, from the first look before the ceremony to the exit at the end of the night. Most of these take seconds, so you spend the day with your guests instead of posing.
- Walking hand in hand
- The classic embrace
- The dip kiss
- First dance (slow dance)
- Under the veil
- Side by side
- Bridal carry (princess carry)
- Ring close-up
- Champagne toast
- The first look
- Over-the-shoulder glance
- Sparkler send-off
- Confetti or petal toss
When these poses happen on the day
Wedding-day posing is squeezed into a few windows: a first look before the ceremony (if you do one), 15 to 30 minutes of couple portraits, and a few minutes at golden hour. The rest is documentary. Pick five or six poses you love and tell your photographer, rather than trying to do everything.
Movement poses (walking, twirls, a dip) look natural even when time is short, which is why they show up in almost every wedding gallery.
Dress and suit considerations
Long trains look best in walking and twirl shots; ask someone to fluff the dress between frames. Veils catch light from behind, so save veil shots for backlight. Jackets read sharper buttoned in standing poses and unbuttoned in seated ones.
1. Walking hand in hand
Walking back up the aisle, or across the venue grounds between portraits, gives you this shot for free.
How to do the walking hand in hand
Recommended in 14 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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2. The classic embrace
The first frame of most couple portraits on the day, before you warm up to anything else.
How to do the the classic embrace
Recommended in 11 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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3. The dip kiss
A reception favorite: a short dip during the first dance looks spontaneous in photos.
Recommended in 6 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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4. First dance (slow dance)
Usually documentary rather than posed; a few seconds of eye contact toward the photographer helps.
How to do the first dance (slow dance)
Recommended in 6 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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5. Under the veil
Only possible on the day itself, with a long sheer veil and the sun behind you.
Recommended in 6 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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6. Side by side
The shot families frame; take it with and without the bouquet.
Recommended in 5 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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7. Bridal carry (princess carry)
A playful frame after the ceremony; keep it brief so the dress stays smooth.
How to do the bridal carry (princess carry)
Recommended in 5 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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8. Ring close-up
After the ceremony, both rings together on joined hands.
Recommended in 4 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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9. Champagne toast
Natural at the cocktail hour or just after the ceremony.
Recommended in 4 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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10. The first look
Happens before the ceremony and frees up time later for couple portraits.
Recommended in 3 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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11. Over-the-shoulder glance
Shows off the back of a dress or a jacket’s tailoring.
How to do the over-the-shoulder glance
Recommended in 2 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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12. Sparkler send-off
The usual last photo of the night; plan two passes.
How to do the sparkler send-off
Recommended in 2 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
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13. Confetti or petal toss
Best as you leave the ceremony, while everyone is gathered.
How to do the confetti or petal toss
Recommended in 1 of 17 top posing guides we analyzed
See the two of you in this poseMore pose ideas
Poses are ordered by how many of the 17 top-ranking posing guides we analyzed recommend them. Example images are AI-generated with fictional people. See all couple poses.