If You’re Paying for a Beautiful Venue… Don’t Just Use Two Corners of It
If you’re spending real money on a gorgeous wedding venue, you deserve more than “ceremony arch + reception dance floor” photos.
So many brides book these stunning estates, wineries, lofts, ballrooms, or barns… and then only take pictures in the ceremony space and at the reception tables. Meanwhile, there are staircases, balconies, courtyards, gardens, bars, hallways, rooftops, and hidden corners that never even make it into the gallery.
This post is your reminder:
If you paid for the venue, you paid for the entire venue.
Your photos should reflect that.
1. Your Venue’s Website Is Basically a Cheat Sheet
Before your wedding day, go to your venue’s website and really study their photos. Don’t just look to see if it’s “pretty.” Use it like a pose and location guide.
Look for:
Which rooms or areas they show off the most
Those are usually the spots that photograph beautifully: staircases, window light, patios, balconies, entrances, etc.How couples are standing or moving in those spaces
Are they walking down a long hallway? Leaning on a balcony railing? Sitting on a vintage couch? Dancing in the courtyard? Screenshot those ideas.Time of day in the photos
Some spots look dreamy at sunset, others glow at night with string lights. Noticing that ahead of time helps you know when to use each area for pictures.
You’re not copying the venue’s marketing — you’re using what they’ve already tested to your advantage. If they’ve chosen to feature a certain staircase or garden over and over again, it’s because they know it photographs well.
2. Don’t Let Your Photos Live Only in the Ceremony & Reception
Most brides end up with 90% of their photos in these two spots:
Ceremony area
Reception room
Yes, you need photos there. But if you stop there, your gallery can start to feel repetitive, even if the venue is amazing.
Think about everything you’re probably not using yet:
Front entrance or driveway
Grand staircase
Lobby or lounge area
Bar area or cocktail space
Hallways with cool lighting or art
Garden/courtyard/terrace
Balcony, rooftop, or deck
Little side rooms with pretty chairs or mirrors
Now imagine:
A dramatic dress shot on the staircase
Romantic, cozy photos at the bar
Fun bridal party photos in the lobby or hallway
Soft, romantic portraits in the garden or by a fountain
A quiet, intimate moment on a balcony at night
Those are the photos that make your gallery feel like a movie — and they’re all sitting in a venue you already paid for.
3. Make a “Photo Inspiration List” for Each Part of the Venue
You don’t need a giant shot list, but it helps to have a simple vision. After you go through the venue’s website and photos, make a little inspiration list organized by area.
For example:
Entrance / Front of Venue
Wide shots of us in front of the building
Fun bridal party walk-up
Veil toss or dress twirl in the driveway or front steps
Staircase or Balcony
Solo bridal portraits halfway up the stairs
Couple leaning on the railing laughing or kissing
Dramatic black-and-white shot from above or below
Garden / Courtyard
Walking hand in hand
Close-up snuggly photos under the trees
Bridal party lined up or laughing together
Bar or Lounge
“Just married” toast together
Fun candid photos with your bridal party
Nighttime flash photos for more of a party vibe
You don’t have to pose exactly like anyone else — this just gives your photographer a clear idea of where you’d love to use.
4. Look Up Real Wedding Photos from Your Venue
After the venue’s own website, look at real weddings. Not to search logistics or pricing — but to see how other couples actually used the space in photos.
You can:
Type your venue name into Instagram or Pinterest and scroll through real couples.
Notice which spots you love and which ones feel “meh.”
Screenshot your favorites to show your photographer.
Pay attention to:
How people are posed in front of big windows, mirrors, fireplaces, or doors
Where couples go for sunset photos
How the photographer used staircases, hallways, and corners you might’ve never considered
Real wedding photos will help you see what’s possible in your exact venue with real people, not just models.
5. Talk to Your Photographer About Using the Whole Space
Your photographer can only work with what they know you want and what the timeline allows.
Once you have your inspiration, share it with them:
“I really love couples photos on the staircase and by the bar.”
“I’d love a few romantic shots in the garden at sunset.”
“Can we make time to use the balcony after the ceremony?”
This isn’t you micromanaging — it’s you helping them understand your priorities so they can:
Build your timeline around the best spots
Suggest the best times of day for each area
Make sure you’re not rushing through everything
Most photographers love when a bride wants to actually use the full venue because it means more variety and more magic in your gallery.
6. Remember: You’re Creating a Story, Not Just Checking Boxes
At the end of the day, using your whole venue in photos isn’t just about “getting your money’s worth.”
It’s about:
Your album feeling like a tour of your day
Your photos showing off every part of the place you fell in love with
You and your partner actually experiencing the venue beyond just the ceremony and dinner
When you flip through your gallery later, you won’t just see chairs and tables. You’ll see:
The front entrance where you first pulled up, nervous and excited
The staircase you walked down feeling like a movie star
The garden where you snuck away for five quiet minutes alone
The bar where your friends were laughing and cheering you on
That’s what you paid for. That’s what you deserve to remember.
If you’re going to invest in a beautiful venue, don’t let half of it go unseen in your photos. Explore it, plan around it, and let your photographer use every corner to tell the full story of your day.
