Tips and Advice: Cry "Pretty"

Once a wedding has taken place, I like to schedule a debriefing with the newlyweds to ask for their feedback on our wedding planning services and to gain their thoughts in general with regard to their wedding.  At a recent debriefing session, and in fact, at this evening's debriefing as well, the couples commented how their loved ones appeared to be upset or in fact, angry, during the ceremony.  The serious expressions were captured by their photographers, but in fact, when asking the subjects why the long face, they revealed that they were in fact shedding tears of joy.

The groom carefully dabs a tear away after the happy couple experiences their "first encounter," the time during which they see each other for the first time on their wedding day.  Photo by L'Amour Photography.

The truth of the matter is, most of us do not smile when we cry, even if our souls are at that moment filled with love and happiness.  So here is the tip that one couple asked me to pass along to other couples:  on the wedding day, try to "cry pretty."  Remember to try to smile, even if crying, and tell close friends and family who may feel extra moved on that day to do the same.  It looks so much better in photos and video, and that way, no one will misinterpret happy tears as unhappy moments.

Happy Planning!