“Do you get better photos at a childfree wedding?”
I know I will get stick for putting this headline on! But hey, the question is out there, so I am going to answer it from the photographers point of view.
Childfree weddings are a thing. And if one of the reason you are wondering whether to have one is the thought that you get better photos at a childfree wedding, then we need to talk about this. What the fallout might be. And what all your options are.
Resons to have a childfree wedding
There are a number of reasons why people opt to not invite children to their wedding.
Apart from the organisational and financial considerations for the couple, there seems to be a view that children don’t fit into a formal event.
Regarding photography, there is almost an expectation that children will be disruptive, ruin important photos and just get in the way all the time.
If your consideration for having a childfree wedding are solely to safeguard your photos, don’t make a decision just yet, I got some solutions for you further down the page.
What are children at weddings really like?
It is true that children until a certain age don’t know the etiquette of formal events. They will just do whatever comes into their heads.
And I can’t argue that little Timmy getting up half-way through the speeches loudly announcing he needs a wee now isn’t an interruption.
But it also gives you great laughs. And great laughs make beautiful photos!
I am not someone who swoons over children only because they are small and cute.
But a few years back I have photographed a wedding, where everything seemed to evolved around the children rather than the couple. A new experience to me, and it was hands down one of my favourite weddings to photograph. (Right after the one that had a very well dressed dog!)
Yes, that took me by surprise, too!
You won’t see many photos of children on my website or socials, but they do exist. I just don’t share them without explicit permission for reasons I explain in this blog post: Reasons why I don’t share photos of children without permission.
Dificulties and misconceptions of having a childfree wedding
While having a childfree wedding can keep the focus on the couple and the rituals, it can also mean guests leaving earlier to relieve the babysitter. Or they may not come at all.
Some of your guests might even feel rejected or judged for how their children might or might not behave. So you should consider how to break the news that you are having a childfree wedding. You wouldn’t want leave a bad taste that might last a long time.
Alternative options
Truth be told, there are plenty of opportunities for children to interrupt a wedding day. However, as long as the adults are alert, there is not much danger to your photos.
On the contrary, the bridal party playing a bunch of kids in an impromptu football match makes for some great photos! (Sorry, can’t share this one online, because…see link to blog post further up.)
If all you want is to allow the grown-ups more childfree time together, consider hiring specialist wedding childminders.
Yes, that is indeed a thing!
These are professional childminders who come to your wedding venue and help look after the kids.
Your venue might even be able to arrange a supervised slumber area where kids can crash for a nap until the parents are ready to go to bed, too.
Ask your venue whether they can recommend a wedding creche. If not, I know of a couple who might be able to help.
Whatever your reasons to consider a childfree wedding, be prepared that some people just won’t get it.
Remember that it’s your wedding, so the two of you decide. But form a photography point of view, there is no reason to have a childfree wedding day.
I hope this has helped you figure out what to do, and if you want to know how I can help with photography, (without being daunted by your guests’ children), then drop me a line here!
Bright blessings,
Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU
