St. Pete Wedding Photographer | Why It’s Okay to Skip Exit Photos (and What to Do Instead)
- Nina Bashaw
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
St. Pete Wedding Photographer | Why It’s Okay to Skip Exit Photos (and What to Do Instead)
When planning your wedding, you’ll inevitably come across those dreamy sparkler exit photos beaming newlyweds running through a tunnel of glowing lights or fluttering confetti. While these shots can be stunning, they’re not for everyone. In fact, as a wedding photographer in St. Pete, I often encourage couples to consider skipping the traditional exit photos altogether. Why? Because there are plenty of creative, meaningful alternatives that can better capture the magic of your day
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Why You Might Want to Skip the Exit Photos
1. The Exit Often Feels Staged
By the time the exit rolls around, many of your guests have already left and the ones that are left are very tipsy, leaving the send-off looking sparse. Sometimes, couples even have to round up remaining guests just to make the exit look full. The result? It can feel more staged and less authentic, leaving the bride and groom frustrated and disapointed.
2. It Can Extend Your Photography Coverage Time (Unnecessarily)
If you want exit photos, you’ll need to keep your St. Pete wedding photographer until the very end of the night. However, the most meaningful moments, getting ready, ceremony, couple portraits, first dance, and reception fun happen earlier in the day. Instead of spending your wedding photography budget on a few exit photos, you might be better off using that time for more meaningful or artistic photos earlier on.
3. You Might Miss Out on the Dance Floor Fun
Many couples get caught up in the logistics of the exit and spend their final moments herding guests outside, rather than enjoying their last songs on the dance floor. Skipping the exit photos allows you to spend every last minute celebrating with your guests.
What to Do Instead of Exit Photos
If you’re leaning toward ditching the traditional exit photos, there are plenty of creative and meaningful alternatives that still make for gorgeous, memorable wedding photos
1. Sneak Away for Sunset or Golden Hour Photos
Instead of saving the last few minutes of your wedding day for an exit, consider sneaking away for sunset or golden hour photos. In St. Pete, the golden light over the Gulf of Mexico or the colorful murals in the downtown area create a breathtaking backdrop. You’ll have romantic, glowing portraits that you’ll cherish far more than a rushed exit shot.
2. End the Night with an Epic Dance Floor Photo
Why not capture the real fun of your reception? Ask your St. Pete wedding photographer to snap a final shot of you and your guests tearing it up on the dance floor. A wide-angle photo of everyone dancing, hands in the air, captures the energy and joy of your celebration in a way exit photos can’t.
3. Do a "Fake Exit" Earlier in the Night
If you love the idea of sparklers, confetti, or glow sticks but don’t want to extend your wedding photography coverage, consider doing a staged exit earlier in the evening. This allows you to capture the fun and energy of a big send-off while most of your guests are still present and not to tipsy to follow directions. Afterward, you can continue the party without worrying about rounding everyone up later.
4. Share a Private First Dance
Instead of spending your final moments on a staged exit, consider having a private first dance before your guests enter your wedding reception. This gives you a quiet, intimate moment together in your beautifully decorated space. With no one else around, you can truly soak in the moment and the significance of your first dance. It also makes for stunning, emotional photos that feel genuine and romantic.
5. Capture a Fun "Just Married" Portrait
After the reception, grab a fun “just married” portrait before you leave. Whether it’s the two of you holding hands walking toward your getaway car, popping champagne, or simply gazing at the stars, this creates a sweet and relaxed photo to wrap up the night without the chaos of a big exit.
Make Your Last Photos Count
While exit photos can be beautiful, they aren’t always the best use of your wedding photography time. As a St. Pete wedding photographer, I love helping couples prioritize moments that genuinely reflect their personalities and the magic of their day. Whether it’s capturing golden hour portraits, epic dance floor shots, or a romantic private first dance, you deserve timeless wedding photos that truly tell the story of your wedding.
Getting married in St. Pete or the surrounding area? Let’s chat about how to create a photography timeline that captures your day perfectly no staged exit required.
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With 15 years of experience as a wedding photographer, Nina Bashaw is top rated and highly sought after fine art luxury wedding and elopement photographer based out of St. Petersburg, Florida.. Nina. specializes in classic, romantic, and timeless natural light photography with natural posing and genuine smiles. Nina travels throughout Tampa, St. Pete,, Sarasota, and surrounding areas for weddings and luxury elopements giving her clients a personalized and luxrious experience. Contact me for pricing and inquire about availability for 2025 and 2026. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and reading Why It’s Okay to Skip Exit Photos (and What to Do Instead).
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