How to Look Skinny, Happy, and Fashionable in Your Photos

If you're getting married, you're probably going to get photographed. A lot.

Photos might be taken of your proposal. Your engagement party. Your bridal shower. Your bachelorette party. Your bridal tea. Your wedding rehearsal. You getting ready in the morning. You getting ready to walk down the aisle. You walking down the aisle. (You get the picture.)

Oh, and did I mention that those photos will be all over Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your photographer's blog, your mom's blog, and this blog right here (assuming you apply for a spotlight)? It's pretty overwhelming when you think about how many people will be seeing your picture. I mean, I don't know how many people read your mom's blog, but if you end up on this blog, at least a thousand people will be looking at your photo within 24 hours of me putting it up.

So, it wouldn't hurt to look your best! Here are some tips for looking skinny, happy, and fashionable for the paparazzi:

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Skinny

• Stand like a model. This takes just a bit of practice, but if you can nail this pose (and recreate it when people want their picture taken with the bride), you'll drop ten photographic pounds just like that. Cross one leg in front of the other, with the front foot pointing towards the camera and the back foot at an almost perpendicular angle. Have your head facing the camera, but turn your torso 45 degrees away and lean in slightly, dropping your chin a bit. I know it sounds complicated, but it's not that hard. If you can't remember what to do, open any celebrity gossip magazine anywhere. They all have it down pat.

• Put your hands on your hips. A little bit of space makes your arms look thinner and your waist look more tucked in. My hands are on my hips in about 40% of our wedding photos.

• If you're looking around for skinny outfits to wear to your showers or for your engagement photos, the classic is a fitted top, a wide belt, and an A-line skirt that goes to around your knees. Dark jeans paired with flowy tops also make you look skinny in photos, provided the top isn't too flowy. (Wearing clothes that are too big will just work against you.) Finally, skip patterns and wear solids, especially in dark colors. They photograph much better.

• If you're being photographed while you're sitting down, be sure to sit as close to the camera as possible and lean in. Sitting away from the camera makes your thighs look bigger. (Blah!)

• Use your fiance/friends/in-laws. If you're having your picture taken with someone else, turn towards them and lean into them. It will make you look thinner even if the person you're leaning into is a twig.

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Happy

• Relax and be happy. I know that's probably impossible after I just told you to carefully place your feet, shoulders, arms, and head, but you'll look your best in photos if you can genuinely be having a good time while your picture is being taken.

• If you're trying to be happy, but you're actually nervous/self-conscious/tired/etc., try to have at least three really happy memories you can pull up out of nowhere. You might think that's a cheesy tip, but I totally used it. I had a really romantic memory for photos with Kyle, a funny friends memory for when I was feeling "over" having my photo taken, and a funny scene from a movie for when I was feeling nervous or self-conscious.

• Smile with your teeth slightly parted and your smile won't end up looking forced (even if you're forcing it). Just remember that there's a big difference between smiling with slightly parted teeth and smiling with your mouth wide open. I do the mouth-wide-open smile when I've had a bit to much to drink and even though my smile never looks forced, it always looks...well...like I've had too much to drink.

• Lick your teeth really quick before you smile. It makes them shinier and more healthy looking. (Random fact via Cosmopolitan.)

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Fashionable

• Put your face on. Even if you aren't a makeup kind of girl, it's a good idea to at least wear foundation and a little mascara. Makeup photographs very well and, if done right, just makes you look like you're naturally gorgeous. It's also a good idea to pay a little attention to your hair and stay away from doing anything experimental on a day that promises a lot of photo-taking.

• Stick with classics - the photos taken around your wedding might be the photos that you have framed in your house for years to come. To keep from looking dated in just a few years, go with simple, classic pieces that flatter your body type. Little black dresses are an obvious choice, but you should also consider cardigans, button-down shirts, and dark bootcut jeans. 

• Don't forget to think about your jewelry. Wearing earrings larger than you would normally wear is often a smart idea for photos. It's hard to pick up on small earrings in photographs, so if you want to look a little more put together for a special occasion, up the size of your ear jewelry. Just don't go too far...you don't want everyone who sees your engagement photos to immediately ask, "So what was up with your earrings?"

Do you want to share your photos in one of our real Disney wedding spotlights? Apply here to see your proposal, engagement session, wedding, or other event on this site!

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