A City Hall ceremony may only last a few minutes—but it’s one of the most meaningful moments of your life. As a Bay Area wedding photographer who’s photographed countless ceremonies here, I’ve seen some common mistakes that can affect how your photos turn out. So here are a few tips to help you look and feel your best—no regrets!
1. How should the bride and groom stand?
Believe it or not, where you and your partner stand really matters. It affects the lighting and overall look of your ceremony photos.
💡 Tip: If I’m your photographer, I recommend the bride stand on the side closer to the elevator. That way, the lighting I set up will hit you in the most flattering way.
Once you're in position, I’ll help fix the train or dress so it looks nice and even. If you’re wearing a big gown, try not to move around too much once you're in place—it helps keep things clean in the photos.
Good example ✅
2. Keep a comfortable distance between the couple
Standing just close enough to look natural and connected.
If you're too far apart, your arm ends up stretching awkwardly when you hold hands—and trust me, it shows in the photos!
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Because she's standing too far away, the bride's arms tend to stretch out straight, which makes her pose look a bit stiff and unnatural.
3. Holding Hands – Let the Groom Take the Lead
In the photo on the right, the bride is the one reaching out. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t come across as quite as elegant. For a more romantic and visually pleasing moment, it’s ideal when the groom gently takes the bride’s hand—it adds a subtle, tender feeling to the photo.
4. Exchanging Rings: Take It Slow and Stay Present
This is one of the most meaningful parts of the ceremony, so don’t rush it! Here are a few tips to help it go smoothly—and look great in photos:
Take your time – City Hall lighting can be a bit dim, and I may be using flash. If you move too quickly, the moment might not be captured clearly.
Let the ring show – Hold the ring with your fingertips and tilt it slightly so it’s visible to the camera. Avoid covering it with your hand.
Hand positioning matters – Gently guide your partner’s hand, keeping their ring and middle fingers close together. This prevents awkward finger spacing in the photo as you slide the ring on.
Wearing an engagement ring? Make sure the diamond is centered and facing forward—not crooked or off to the side.
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When holding your partner's hand with your left hand, make sure their middle and ring fingers are placed together to avoid pointing the middle finger at them. Use your right hand to put the ring on your partner’s left ring finger.
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Avoid having the middle finger pointing toward your partner. ❌
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5. Positioning the Rings Perfectly
Make sure the diamond on your partner’s engagement ring is centered over the knuckle, with equal distance on both sides. Ideally, it should be parallel to the joint line. Slide it on slowly and try to avoid tilting it to one side.
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6. The Kiss 💋 Keep It Sweet and Simple
When the officiant says “You may kiss the bride,” take a breath, lean in, and keep it classy:
Hug gently
Close your eyes
Skip the duck lips or anything too passionate (no tongue, please 😅)
That’s it! You don’t have to be perfect—no one expects you to be. But a little prep goes a long way to making sure your ceremony photos look polished and full of heart. ✨
Have questions or want more wedding tips? Feel free to message or email me — I'm always happy to help!
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