This Wedding Photography Shot List Will Help You Capture All The Right Moments
You don't want to miss any of the important moments during your wedding day. From pre-wedding prep and post-ceremony dancing, you'll need a photographer who can cover all these bases so that every detail is captured for posterity--and hopefully many future generations! This post includes basic pictures such as engagement portraits or family photos along with anything else specific about style preferences conducted before hiring a photographer; number agreements on sessions duration depending upon if hired per hour/day etc. and much more.
You can't get everything you want at your wedding, but it's important to communicate with the photographer about what is really special. For example, if someone in attendance has an especially meaningful connection or relationship then they should be included in photos that capture this moment for future generations!
To ensure everyone's wishes were met I had my now husband take care of communicating exactly how much footage we needed so there would no chance whatsoever missing anything significant during the process - because life doesn’t wait around until after marriage ceremonies finish happening before deciding which pictures are needed.
Getting Ready/Pre Wedding
Take pictures with your wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen and any other loved ones) to remember this special moment. The pre-ceremony is a time of great anticipation - capture it now before you forget!
Bride shots:
Wedding day outfit or wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost or over a chair
Wedding party and guest of honor getting dressed and applying makeup (if you're going to be wearing makeup)
Parent or other guardian helping to-be-wed with one last detail, such as veil, shoes or zipping up outfit
Full-length shot of to-be-wed in outfit looking in mirror
Detail shot of clothing, shoes, accessories, and any other special items (something borrowed, something blue, etc)
Emotional shot of to-be-wed with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching shot of to-be-wed with sibling/s
To-be-wed hugging honor attendant or close friend
To-be-wed with wedding party
Groom Shots:
To-be-wed getting ready with parent and pals (Psst: tying the tie is a classic)
Emotional shot of to-be-wed with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching shot of to-be-wed with sibling/s
To-be-wed with arm around honor attendant (for example, the best man)
To-be-wed with wedding party
Wedding party putting final touches on outfit (boutonnieres or bowties, for example)
Both Bride & Groom:
Emotional shots of each to-be-wed talking to/hugging parents and siblings before the ceremony
Bride ready to go
Groom ready to go
Each to-be-wed separately making their way to the ceremony (in a limo backseat, hailing a cab, walking down the street/hall/stairs)
First look (if the couple is going to do one)
Ceremony Photo Inspiration:
Let's face it, you should be center stage at your wedding. But what about all those other details? You don't want to miss any of the fun or emotion behind-the-scenes so make sure that they get captured by having an excellent photographer who will capture everything from arrivals in formal wear right down closeups showing off ring bands! We've got recommendations for both types below:
Guests entering the site
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Ushers escorting parents to their seats (if applicable)
Close-up of groom waiting for partner
Wedding party coming down the aisle
Flower girl and/or ring bearer coming down the aisle
Honor attendants coming down the aisle
Grandparents walking down the aisle (if applicable)
Wedding party waiting at the altar
Groom coming down the aisle (with or without parents)
Bride and Dad/escort/parents (if applicable) walking down the aisle
Close-up of groom just before making entrance
Couple at the front (including the officiant)
Arch, altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from couple's point of view
Faces of the couple as they exchange vows
Close-up of the couple's hands as they exchange wedding rings
The first kiss as a married couple
The couple's recessional
Couple outside ceremony site
Congrats shots: couple hugging, laughing, and crying with friends and family
Couple leaving ceremony site
Couple in limo backseat
Wedding Party & Family
What a day, you did it! The time has come for some pictures with your wedding parties and loved ones, so take these while everyone's still here too - before the ceremony starts if that suits you better.
Couple together for portrait
Couple looking at each other
Couple hugging or kissing
Bride with parents and/or stepparents
Bride with entire immediate family
Groom with parents and/or stepparents
Groom with entire immediate family
Couple with all parents
Couple with immediate family members from both sides
Couple with wedding party of groom
Couple with wedding party of bride
Couple with whole wedding party
Reception/Wedding Party
The post-wedding party is one of the most important events in any couple's life, so it’s essential to make sure your photographer captures all those details. From how you decorated and what food was served at dinner time on down to cake cutting, and your exit - these are things that will be worth remembering years from now!
Shot from outside reception venue
Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, favors table, and champagne glasses
Stationery flat lay
Couple arriving to reception
Receiving line moments
Couple at head table
Parents' table
Guests' tables
Close-up of friends and family making toasts
Couple sipping champagne
Couple's parents talking to each other during dinner
Couple chatting up the guests
Detail shot of food
Couple's first dance
Parents dancing
Groom and parent dancing (such as father-daughter dance)
Bride and parent dancing (such as mother-son dance)
Wedding party dancing
Grandparents dancing
Kids playing or dancing (if applicable)
Musicians or DJ doing their thing
Guests going nuts on the dance floor
Couple laughing with guests on dance floor
Wedding cake (or dessert) table
Cake cutting moment
Couple feeding each other cake
Couple leaving reception
Couple waving from vehicle
Rear of vehicle departing