Wedding Photography Shot List

It's the most important day of many happy couples' lives, and wedding photographs play a huge part in bringing back happy wedding day memories.

In most cases, couples don't really think about the actual photographs until it comes to reviewing them afterwards.

To avoid any disappoint when those wedding photos arrive and your sat thinking "Why didn't we think of that" or "We forgot to ask the photographer about that"... get your list together now. 

Whilst there's a standard list of images every good photographer will know to capture, there may be a few important shots that you are after which would be different to other clients they've had previously.

This may be dependant on a family member, a certain aspect of the reception or your chosen location. Whatever it may be  it's important for you to think about this, to know what these are, and make sure you make them a priority by talking to your photographer in advance.

A week or so before the ceremony, supply your photographer with the list of moments you wish to be captured. For amateur photographers in particular, a checklist is an invaluable guide to ensuring you miss nothing out.

Your photographer should also explore the alternatives, capture the details, bring their own ideas to the table and capture informal and relaxed reportage photography.

As our expert Wedding Photographer, Keith Appleby, states; "A bride's moment is so fleeting. Wedding photographers must have absolute speed, precision and the ability to use guests as their greatest allies". 

Now let's head to our list for ideas!

Pre Wedding - Getting Ready

The wedding day might not officially start until after midday but consider having your photographer there to capture the build up and all that preparation you and your family are putting in on the morning of the wedding.

• Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
• Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
• Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
• Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
• Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
• Detail of clothing, shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue
• Touching shot of bride with parent
• Touching shot of bride with sibling/s
• Bride hugging honour attendant
• Bride with bridesmaids
• Bride with all the women
• Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
• Touching shot of groom with parent
• Touching shot of groom with sibling/s
• Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
• Groom with all the groomsmen

• Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bowties.

Intimate shots of bride and groom chatting with/crying with/hugging parents and siblings pre-ceremony

• Dad whispering last-minute advice to groom
• Groom ready to go
• Bride ready to go
• Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony.

The Ceremony

From walking down the aisle to signing the register, the ceremony will go by in a flash. Make sure your photographer catches all these essential moments so you can remember them forever.

• Guests streaming into the site
• Close-up of groom nervously waiting for his other half
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
• Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
• Bride and Dad walking down the aisle
• Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
• The happy couple at the altar or registrar
• Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
• Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from the happy couple's point of view
• Faces of the happy couple as they exchange vows
• Close-up of the happy couple's hands as they exchange rings
• The kiss
• The happy couple proceeding up the aisle, guests' smiling faces at their sides
• The happy couple outside ceremony site
• The happy couple leaving ceremony site
• The happy couple in backseat

Before the Reception 

Following on from the end of your wedding ceremony, as newlyweds you’ll probably want some images alone, so arrange some time to have ‘couple only’ shots directly after your wedding ceremony but before your wedding reception.

Your family and close friends are likely to have played a key role in your wedding planning and on this day especially, so this is a great opportunity to capture some precious photos both parties will want to keep.

But please do bear in mind that these can go on forever. The answer? Be very specific with your photographer regarding group images that you’d like captured; to ensure that there is enough time between the ceremony and when you sit down for the wedding breakfast. Note: You can also take these before the ceremony.

• The happy couple together
• Bride with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
• Bride with her entire immediate family
• Groom with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
• Groom with his entire immediate family
• The happy couple with all parents
• The happy couple with immediate family members from both sides
• The happy couple with groomsmen
• The happy couple with bridesmaids
• The happy couple with whole wedding party

The Reception

You would have spent hours organising your wedding reception, so add table decorations, centrepieces, the table plan, wedding favours, the cake on its own and any other details that you’d like photographed to the list.

• Shot from outside reception site (to set the tone)
• Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centrepieces, decorations, table settings, favours table, and champagne glasses
• Bride and groom arriving
• Bride and groom at head table
• Guests' tables

• Close-up of friends and family making toasts
• Bride and groom sipping champagne
• Bride and groom's first dance (maybe with a slow shutter speed so the movement blurs the image a little)
• Wedding party dancing
• Bride laughing with bridesmaids
• Cake table
• Bride and groom cutting the cake
• Bride and groom feeding each other cake
• Bouquet toss (perhaps a vertical shot from in front of the bride)
• Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's backseat
• Rear of car departing

But above all don't forget to enjoy the day!

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