Wedding Photography Shot Checklist
Here’s my typical wedding photography checklist of wedding photos that I shoot on a typical wedding day. I can’t guarantee to get every single shot, as I can only be in one place at a time, unless you hire a second photographer, and we don’t have overall control over the wedding day. But I make every effort to capture your wedding day perfectly and you can read loads of testimonials from happy couples and view recent weddings here.
So here is a wedding photo list of shots that will help you think about what images you can expect to see after the wedding day is over…
Before the Wedding Day
- Engagement Shoot – an opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your wedding photographer, there are lots of reasons why you should definitely consider an engagement shoot
Wedding Day – Pre-Ceremony
Getting Ready
If you have booked a second photographer, one can focus on the groom and the other on the bride.
- Shot of wedding invitation
- Bride and Bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done
- Dress hanging up, jewellery laid out, shoes etc.
- Bouquets and buttonholes/corsages
- Bride putting on dress/veil with help from Bridesmaids
- Putting on jewellery
- Putting on shoes
- Close up of bride holding bouquet
- Family shots
- Bridal party walking down stairs/leaving the house
- Bride and Father in Wedding Car/ Walking to ceremony
- Groom and Groomsmen getting ready
- Groomsmen putting on buttonholes
- Best man adjusting Groom’s tie/jacket
- Wedding ring shots
Trip to the Ceremony/Venue
- Bride and Father/Mother
- Bride and Bridesmaids/Flowergirls
- Groom and Groomsmen/Pageboys
Wedding Day – Ceremony
- Shots of empty venue/church – altar, flowers, interior & exterior details
- Groom and Groomsmen waiting inside venue/church
- Guests arriving
- Ushers handing out order of service
- Bride arriving in wedding car
- Bride and Father/Mother in the back of the wedding car
- Bride stepping out of car
- Bridal Party entrance
- Bride walking up the aisle
- Groom’s reaction (only captured by second photographer where possible)
- Father/Mother giving bride away
- Exchanging of vows
- Ring bearer
- Exchanging of the rings
- Participants such as readers, the officiant, musicians etc.
- The first kiss as husband and wife, and the moment after
- Signing register
- The Recessional/Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle
- Newlywed shot
- Confetti throwing
- Greeting guests
- Bride & Groom in back seat of wedding car
Wedding Day – Post Ceremony
After the ceremony you have to make time for the wedding group photographs – this usually takes around 30 minutes for group photos and another 20-30 for shots of the Bride & Groom together, depending on the couple and the list of specific shots you require. You’ll need to prepare a list of all the people you want in the group photos – family members and friends – and the specific combinations you require e.g. a shot of just you and and your siblings or a shot of all your friends together.
Give this list to me well in advance so I can prepare, evaluate the timings and discuss any issues.
Family
- Bride and Groom with her parents
- Bride and Groom with his parents
- Bride and Groom with both sets of parents
- Bride and Groom with siblings
- Bride and Groom with close family members
Bridal Party
- Bride and Groom with bridesmaids/groomsmen
- Bride and Groom with bridal party
- Bride with bridesmaids/maid of honour
- Groom and groomsmen/bestman
Informal shots
- Shots with friends
- Shots of guests drinking and chatting
Wedding Day – Reception
- The reception space set up – before room fills up
- Details and room decor shots – table settings, place cards, favours, candy buffet, centrepieces etc.
- Wedding cake detail shots
- Bride & Groom entrance
- Toasts and Speeches
- Cutting the cake
- The first dance
- Guests dancing
- Musicians, singers, DJ
