Everyone wants a great photo of "The Exit" from the wedding. I know I did. We bought a ton of sparklers with visions of them framing the gorgeous photos of us leaving, beaming ear to ear, waving, holding hands up in victory, etc.
For us, it didn't happen. We walked out into the pasture (we got married on the ranch) for sunset photos. My mom handed out sparklers to entertain the guests while we were away. We ran back to try to catch a few sparkler shots before they were all gone. The sun was still up so they didn't really show up. Plus we missed the sunset pics. And, when we really left, the photographer was gone and we weren't wearing our pretty clothes any more. Boo.
When we shoot weddings, once in a while we DO get a good exit shot. But, it has to be planned out with the rest of the wedding. Often most of the guests leave before the end of the reception. Also, "The Exit" is not on the mind of the bride or groom, so the bubbles/candy/birdseed/etc. gets used up by bored kids and doesn't make it into great photos.
Here is the fix. Plan "The Exit" into your wedding, and let those who are running the show know about it! Get people excited about it with your exit prop (the petals/rice/bubbles.) If you are having a long, leisurely reception, think about faking "The Exit" earlier in the evening, when more people are still around. You can walk out (remember to do this slowly, if you run there will be significantly fewer pictures) spend a few moments outside, and come right back in. This is also a great chance to take a few more bride/groom only shots.
Stefanie and James gracefully descended a flight of stairs off the porch as their guests threw cute white candy hearts.
Danielle and Nathan ran through a canopy of trees lined with loved ones. The guests threw birdseed from little lined picnic baskets.
Danielle and Jesse's family and friends wished them well as they set of as husband and wife with a cloud of bubbles.
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