Choosing a photographer is one of the first wedding planning checklist items that many couples tackle first. Capturing the moments, details, wedding party, family, and guests is a must-have. But which shots are most important? That’s up to you. Don’t assume that your photographer knows what you want. He or she will likely have a pretty good idea of the classic shots, but it’s important to clarify what matters to you. One thing to consider is the photographer’s style: wedding photography checklist can help ensure that your wedding photos don’t come back to you without a single photo of your parents, or of the groom’s face as the bride walked down the aisle toward him.
When you sit down to create a wedding photography checklist, it can be overwhelming, as there are so many possible shots. To help you choose, we’ve created an organized list of shots that are most common, as well as a few unique ones. Print this out and take it with you when you’re meeting with your photographer, and be sure to get a copy to your photographer before the big day.
Getting Ready
- Bride having her hair styled and makeup applied
- Bride’s gown (hanging, draped, etc)
- Still life shots of the bride’s shoes and accessories
- Close-up shot of the wedding bands
- Detailed shots of the bouquets
- Candid shots of the bridesmaids getting ready
- Mother buttoning the bride’s dress
- Mother fastening the bride’s necklace
- Mother or maid of honor pinning in the veil or flowers
- Full-length shot of the bride in her gown, looking in mirror or out window
- Bridesmaids reacting to the bride in her gown (candids or staged)
- Father seeing the bride in her gown for first time
- Bride and mother portrait
- Bride and father portrait
- Bride pinning corsage and boutonniere on mother and father
- Groom getting ready with groomsmen
- Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or ties
- Bride and groom leaving for the ceremony (separately)
- Other:
- Other:
- Other:
Bridal Party
- Portrait of bride, full length
- Portrait of bride, close up
- Portrait of groom, full length
- Portrait of groom, close up
- First look
- Portraits and candids of bride and groom
- Bride and bridesmaids, group shot
- Bride with each bridesmaid, individually
- Bride and maid of honor
- Bride with her mother
- Bride with her father
- Bride with her parents
- Bride with her parents and siblings
- Groom and groomsmen, group shot
- Groom with each groomsman, individually
- Groom and best man
- Groom with his mother
- Groom with his father
- Groom with his parents
- Groom with his parents and siblings
- Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
- Bride, groom, and bridesmaids
- Bride, groom, and groomsmen
- A few shots of the bride and groom with the entire wedding party
- Other:
- Other:
- Other
Family Portraits
- Bride with bride’s parents
- Bride and groom with bride’s parents
- Bride with bride’s siblings
- Bride and groom with groom’s siblings
- Groom with groom’s parents
- Bride and groom with groom’s parents
- Bride with groom’s siblings
- Bride and groom with groom’s siblings
- Both families combined
- Bride and groom with bride’s grandparents
- Bride and groom with bride’s extended family
- Bride and groom with groom’s grandparents
- Bride and groom with groom’s extended family
- Bride and groom with groom’s entire immediate family
- Bride and groom with bride’s entire immediate family
- Bride and groom with both sets of parents
- Other:
- Other:
- Other:
Ceremony
- Exterior and interior shots of ceremony venue before guests arrive
- Groom and officiant waiting at the front
- Both sets of grandparents being escorted down the aisle
- Both mothers being escorted down the aisle
- Bridal party walking down the aisle
- Bride and her escort waiting to walk down the aisle
- Groom’s expression as bride walks down the aisle
- Bride and escort walking down the aisle (from the back, and also the front if second photographer)
- Bride being given away
- Bride and groom together at the front
- Both sets of parents watching the ceremony
- Wide shot of the front from the guest’s view
- Wide shot of the guests, from the couple’s view
- Ceremonial moments such as candle lighting, readings, etc.
- Close-ups as bride and groom exchange vows
- Close-ups as bride and groom exchange rings
- The kiss!
- Close-up of the bride and groom as they are announced
- Bride and groom as they greet/hug guests
- Bride and groom leaving ceremony venue
- Other:
- Other:
- Other:
Reception
- Exterior and interior shots of reception venue before guests arrive
- Still life shots of centerpieces, menus, decorations, signs, table settings, favors, place cards
- Bride and groom’s place cards and chairs, if decorated
- Wedding cake
- Hors d’oeuvres and special drinks
- Main meals
- Guests arriving
- Guests signing guestbook
- Entrance of bridal party
- Entrance of bride and groom
- Close-ups of friends and family making toasts
- Head table
- Cutting the cake
- Bride and groom feeding each other
- Bride and groom mingling with guests
- First dance
- Father-daughter, mother-son dances
- Dancing
- Musicians or DJ
- Bride and groom kissing
- Signing the marriage license
- Bouquet toss
- Groom getting bride’s garter
- Garter toss
- Getaway car
- Bride and groom leaving
- Other:
- Other:
- Other:
Click to download and print our free wedding photography checklist!
Hope, this checklist will help you to memorize the best moments of your wedding. We also recommend you not forget about wedding post-processing of your family photographs. If you photographer offers only basic color correction, but you want to receive advanced or creative editing, you can outsource your images to the following three services with are involved in wedding photo post-production industry, namely Fix ThePhoto, Wedding-retouching and Weedit.photos. All of them have reliable rates and quick turnaround. See their portfolios and choose the one you liked more or test everyone to decide who suits you more.
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