These days, wedding photography is a tremendously creative business to be in. Couples want extravagant photoshoots, photographs edited to a T, and perfectly put together albums. Wedding photography has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

The story of wedding photography begins in the early 1840s, when photography had little to no commercial use. Of course, people did have the idea of saving their memories though.

During this time paper photographs, multiple photographs and wedding albums were non-existant. According to iQ photo, a wedding photography studio based in San Francisco, the only option available was a “daguerreotype portrait on a tiny copper sheet”. (A daguerreotype is a small metal sheet.)

Due to the size and weight of photography equipment at the time, couples were also restricted to a studio. There were no photoshoots in the forest or in the streets of a bustling city, you only had the one option. On top of that, many didn’t even have the option. Wedding photography was a practice of the wealthy.

In fact, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were one of the first couples to smile for the camera in 1854, 14 years after their actual wedding. This was one of the influences for couples to pose for wedding pictures, however they would not be captured in their wedding attire.

It wasn’t until the 1880s, when some advances (including roll film by Kodak) were made in the industry and photography become more accessible, that couples actually took photos on their wedding day. Still, photos on the day were limited since film was expensive. Couples managed to take a few snap shots with their nearest and dearest,  as well as some images from throughout the day. It was at this point in time that the wedding album came to be.

In the early to mid 1900s, colour film was introduced. Thereafter, the colour film, in combination with the creation of portable cameras with flashes and a wedding boom which was a result of World War II, sparked the true beginning of the wedding industry.

For a while after this, it was the styles of wedding photography which grew and changed rather than the technology. It went from a traditional real-life or still-life style, to a more photojournalism style in which photographers aimed for a fly-on-the-wall vibe.

Once digital photography came to be, the industry changed drastically. Uninhibited by film (or lack thereof) photographers could go wild with their ideas. According to Dreamtime Images, digital cameras could allow deeper coverage of the event, which adds to the freedom of creativity in the field.

Now, people have out-of-this-world ideas for wedding photoshoots, with intricate details and in a combination of photography styles. In fact, one may call it art more than anything else. From candids and portraits to family shots and creative shots, you can get anything your heart desires.

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Picture: Pixabay

Dancing brings people together. Whether you’re a professional or you have two left feet, it’s always fun. At weddings, especially the westernized ones, everyone awaits the newlyweds’ first dance and as it happens they watch in awe.

In other countries around the world, however, there are other dances that are equally – if not more – important. Wedding dance traditions are more diverse and varying than you could ever imagine.

Here are 5 wedding dance traditions from around the world:

Halay 

One of the most common folk dances for Turkish weddings, halay is a dance done to a song which is a cycle of the same melody which starts off slow and increases in speed. People hold hands or are intertwined in some way, and dance (commonly in a line).

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The Tsamiko, The Zeibekiko, and the Sirtaki

Traditional Greek wedding dances centre around guests holding hands and dancing in a circle.

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A Sword Dance

Scottish weddings come with a few traditions around dance. At the reception the first dance is the bride and groom dancing a traditional reel. Thereafter, the bride dances with a guest who has “the highest rank among the guests”.

The very last dance is the Sword Dance. As it is performed guests form a circle and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, a traditional song.

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Ceilidh dance

This is the traditional dance at Irish weddings. It is to be performed with a ceilidh band.

Some ceilidh dances are named after locations, for example “Seige of Ennis”. Many newly-weds opt for songs which pay homage to the heritage of their family or to their ancestors.

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The “Horah”

This is a Middle Eastern/Israeli style of dance usually played as a second dance set.

Dancing is a big part of Jewish weddings. Often, it is the tradition that guests at the wedding entertain the newly wedded couple through dance, rather than the couple being centre stage.

The “Horah” is only one Jewish wedding dance traditions. Others include The Krenzl, The Mizinke,  and The Mitzvah tantz.

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Image: Pixabay