Your wedding day photos will provide you with beautiful memories of the day you were married long after the cake is cut and the last dance has ended. However, selecting a talented photographer that embraces a photographic style you love is only the first step to great wedding photos.
Having hosted many weddings at our Greenville, SC wedding venues, Ruth’s Chris and UP on the Roof, we’ve picked up a few tips for getting the best photos on your wedding day – and now we are happy to share these pointers with you here.
Getting the Best Wedding Photos: All About Location, Location, Location!
The key to getting the best and most beautiful photos of your wedding day is in a stunning backdrop provided by your wedding location.
Our downtown Greenville rooftop restaurant venue, UP on the Roof, is a prime example of a location that offers a striking, and even unexpected, backdrop for your wedding photographs. This location provides gorgeous views of the Reedy River and downtown Greenville that serve as the perfect cityscape meets natural beauty setting for your wedding photos.
If you prefer a more traditional aesthetic, you’ll want to take a look at the sophisticated ambiance of the ballrooms at the Crowne Plaza and Embassy Hotel, our exclusive hotel partners for the I-385 and downtown Ruth’s Chris restaurants, respectively.
–>Check out our online photo gallery to see examples of weddings at each venue!
Consider Your Venue’s Lighting and Layout
When you meet with your wedding photographer, you will likely discuss the layout and lighting conditions at your wedding venue. If he or she is not familiar with the location, schedule a preview prior to the big day. Some factors you and your photographer may want to consider include:
- Availability of natural light
- If it’s possible to rearrange furniture (especially helpful at indoor locations) to fully showcase the space
- The ability of your photographer to use different exposures and flash techniques to highlight the beauty of indoor locations
You’ll find opportunities for beautiful photographs at all our Greenville venues, including the upscale indoor spaces at our two Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse locations and UP on the Roof with its outdoor patio and views of Greenville and beyond.
Get Sunset Shots Whenever Possible
If your wedding timing falls at sunset, you will want to scope out an outdoor area at your venue so your photographer can get some gorgeous sunset shots of you and your new spouse.
Commonly known in the photography world as “the Golden Hour,” the time of day just before the sun sets provides a softer light that makes any shadows less intense and the background colors sharper. Planning ahead and capturing some sunset shots will leave you with some of the best possible photos of your wedding day.
Talk with Your Photographer About Shots that Matter to You
Another essential tip for getting the best photos of your wedding day is to make sure to talk to your photographer in advance of your big day and make sure that he or she is up to speed on your “must have” wedding photo list.
Some of your must have photos may require advanced planning. For example, if you want shots of you and your soon-to-be-spouse on the way to the wedding, you will have to plan for your photographer to ride with you.
Other must have shots may include:
- Details like your wedding dress, the invitation, your wedding shoes and the wedding rings.
- Photos of the bride and groom and their respective wedding parties getting ready for the ceremony
- Firsts like your first kiss and dance as a married couple
- Shots of the fully decorated venue before guests are seated
Get the Best Photos of Your Wedding Day at Our Greenville, SC Wedding Venues
With stunning rooftop views of the city of Greenville and beyond, UP on the Roof provides the perfect backdrop for your best wedding day photos. Our two Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse locations and partnering hotel ballrooms also more traditional indoor venues that can be decorated to reflect your personal style. Whatever your wedding vision entails, you’ll find the opportunity for stunning photos at one (or more) of our Greenville wedding venues. Contact us today to book your picture-perfect wedding!