The day couldn’t be anymore beautiful. The sky is clear and the sun lighting up the Golden Dome with a certain sparkle that could only be described as majestic. You just married the love of your life and just as the photographer tells your husband to lean in for the kiss like it’s the last one he’ll ever give you, you hear your entourage poking fun. The moment is now over. Friends don’t let friends kiss in awkward situations.

This is why I recommend to all of my brides to do the bridal party in one short swoop and send them on their way. It’s just easier for you and your groom to have those moments authentically. Granted, not every couple will want massive make out sessions photographed, but even with the most “No PDA, Please” couples, they still need a little privacy to be with one another. I understand that with a lot of our Notre Dame brides, this isn’t going to be the end all solution as they want their friends photographed in multiple locations.

3 Reasons You Should Dismiss Your Wedding Party:

1. Consider the time it takes to make sure everyone is where they need to be without wandering.
2. How intimate can you really be if your wedding party is on the sidelines making ANY kind of comments?
3. This day is about you and your groom and the wedding party can very quickly turn into the main subject.

3 Ways Around the Uncomfortable Moments

1. Decide what percentage you want with your wedding party vs alone with your new husband.
2. Photograph the wedding party first at each location and then send them on to the next location.
3. Designate a groomsmen and bridesmaid to keep track of the timeline so if someone has to make a pit stop, they’ll know how long they have or if they need to wait.