Why This Couple Skipped the First Dance (And What They Did Instead)
Not every couple wants the spotlight. And honestly? That’s more than okay.
As someone who leans into a documentary approach to wedding photography, I often have the pleasure of capturing creatives, introverts, or couples who are a little more on the camera-shy side. They don’t always want the big, performative moments—they want something real, something that feels like them.
Tanya and Jarrad were one of those couples.
From the very beginning, they told me they weren’t planning to do a first dance. Their wedding was one big, joy-filled celebration with family and friends, and being the centre of attention just wasn’t their thing. They weren’t interested in the formalities—they just wanted to soak it all in.
But sometimes, the best moments are the ones that happen quietly.
Later in the day, during a moment of downtime as guests chatted and digested their food, I wandered up the stairs from the gorgeous Scenic Hotel in the Adelaide Hills to a little stretch of road. The sun was setting low, casting this stunning golden glow over the trees. Not a single car had passed by all afternoon—it felt like time had slowed just for us.
I walked back and found the newlyweds, and with just a whisper, invited them to follow me. No fuss, no planning.
When we reached the spot, I simply told them:
“This can be your first dance. Just for you. No audience. No pressure. Just the two of you, as the sun sets on your wedding day.”
And they did.
It was quiet. It was slow. It was beautifully unpolished.
And it was theirs.
It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do. It’s not about choreographed dances or Pinterest-perfect poses—it’s about connection, honesty, and those fleeting, magic-in-the-air kind of feelings.
So if you’re planning your wedding and skipping the traditional stuff, just know—there’s always space for your own version of special. And I’ll be right there with you to quietly capture it, exactly as it happens.
