Here are signs a relationship will last, according to wedding photographers
What happens at a wedding can tell a lot about a couple.
No one sees the littlest details during the special affair better than wedding photographers who “freeze” every moment of the big day—from the emotional walk down the aisle, the first married couple kiss, to the subtleties of holding each other’s hand, sweet glances, as well as the reactions of the family—which altogether make the ceremony even more special.
To capture both the big and little things, a wedding photographer must be attentive and observant from the prenup shoots, preparation hours, the ceremony, and up until the reception.
And while no one can really say that a relationship will last forever, wedding photographers, who pay attention to everything happening, shared signs that tell a couple will last for a long time.
They communicate well
Choi Alcabasa, a destination wedding photographer, shared in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe that one of the signs that a couple will last is when they communicate well.
“Especially sa decision making. May mga couple na nasusunod yung bride, ang nasusunod ‘yung groom. Pero natutuwa ako kasi meron talagang mga tao na they meet halfway so they compromise. Iko-communicate nila sa bawat isa ‘yung expectations nila, ‘yung gusto nilang mangyari sa wedding. Tapos kung ano yung magpapasaya for the both of them, they compromise,” he said.
“For example, guest list parang kung mas marami 'yung pamilya ng groom for example, kailangan mag compromise, hindi pwede imbitahin lahat, ganon,” he added. “Kailangan both of them can decide kung ano 'yung mas ok for the two of them, hindi ‘yung para dun sa isa lang.”
Ivy Palomares, who has been in the industry for nine years, echoed this. She said that the couple's ability to compromise is vital, especially during moments like weddings where they may face unexpected changes.
“During shoots, hindi siya talaga planado lahat, may times na kailangan mag-compromise. So, dun na-tetest na parang paano sila mag give and take sa bawat isa. So parang nakikita na in the long run, ‘yung marriage nila is marunong silang mag compromise,” she told L!fe.
They have a common goal
Marriage is a lifetime commitment, so the couple must be on the same page. Palomares added that another sign that a relationship will last is when the couple share the same goal, even with the simplest things like getting good wedding photos together.
“Napapansin ko during the shoot ‘yung goal nila is mag-enjoy, goal nila makakuha nung photos na ite-treasure nila kahit old na sila mababalikan nila,” she said.
Sharing a common goal is most important beyond the wedding ceremony. Eric Gallardo, who got into wedding photography after he got married in 2018, added that it can be seen when the couple shares values like being family-oriented.
"'Yung mahal nila yung magulang nila, ‘yung kapatid nila. Kasi [after] ‘yung wedding magbi-build ka ng family," he said.
They spend more time together
Jaja Samaniego, who has been in the industry for 13 years and has worked with celebrity couples like Maine and Arjo Atayde and Maiqui and Robi Domingo, also highlighted that couples must not forget to take each other for dates.
“Kasi ‘di ba pag nagkaanak na kayo and all you tend to forget about your alone time as a couple together. So that's one of the big advice that I take home with me whenever I shoot weddings, and I see that also with my past clients when they post online,” she added.
Their chemistry is off the roof
Another sign that a couple will last is if they're head over heels for each other.
“Napapansin ko if they're sweet to each other, talagang there's love, there's chemistry na talagang they're meant to be. They're gonna stick, they're going to stay forever,” Samaniego told L!fe.
“Not knowing their background or how their love story. Ako as a photographer alam kong magtatagal when there's like so much love and chemistry, ramdam mo ‘yun e,” she added.
They are each other’s support system
Having been able to cover weddings since 2013, Alcabasa noted that one good sign is that the couple is each other’s support system.
“Kasi maraming time, especially during prenups or weddings na may mga bagay na hindi na inaasahan na you really can’t prepare for. For example, big thing ‘yung weather,” he said.
“We had a wedding sa Caliraya, naaalala ko it was April. Siyempre April summer months, mainit. Pagdating namin sa venue sa Caliraya, nabagyo. So, yung bride that time na-sad siya kasi supposedly garden wedding. Ine-expect nila maganda ‘yung araw, kaso hindi nangyari. Pero ang natuwa naman ako dun kasi, they reassured one another na at least matutuloy pa rin ‘yung kasal. ‘Yun naman ‘yung pinaka important, e,” he added.
He also noted that he and his team always made it to a point to give the couple emotional support during the wedding day.
“Kasi sobrang stressful kadalasan ang wedding prep. Ayoko na ‘yung photographer dadagdag pa sa ikaka-stress ng couple. So at least yung work namin it goes beyond pag-shu-shoot lang e, kailangan ‘yung parang ano rin maging support system ka rin ng couple,” he added. “Feeling ko pag ganun ‘yung couple, isa ‘yun sa sign na talagang tatagal din sila.”
This was echoed by Samaniego, saying that couples that support each other show signs of a lasting relationship.
“I’ve been doing this for more than 10 years and everyday, I see my clients from 10 years ago celebrate their anniversary. I noticed na number one, they really support each other,” she shared with L!fe.
“They become each other's wingman like they support each other's career, they support whatever each other wants to pursue in their life and they grew up like, you know, they both look good together because within years of being together sinusuportahan nila ‘yung isa’t isa,” she added.
Every relationship is different and most wedding photographer only sees glimpses into a couple's lives. Ultimately, building a strong, loving, and lasting relationship is up to the two individuals exchanging vows.
