Wedding photo checklist

Essential Prep: The Wedding Photo Checklist

How to avoid disappointment and get the wedding photos you really want…

11015117_943202465713930_4114510623395571539_n 11258043_978503285517181_185503052704667967_n

We thought going through the list of headline shots would help you think about what images you are expecting to see after the day is over…

11230668_980710531963123_7005662759404910279_n

Before the Big Day

  • Engagement Shoot/Love Shoot – an opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your photographer, there are lots of reasons why you should definitely consider an engagement shoot

    11188254_971158176251692_1381873868103483453_n
    11155000_971163236251186_5271209422978669300_o 1499028_951818418185668_6011249875586499086_o 22008_971157799585063_7763776454256963044_n

     

Wedding Day – Pre-Ceremony

Getting Ready
If there are two photographers, 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, jewellery laid out, shoes etc.
  • Bouquets and buttonholes/corsages
  • Bride putting on dress/veil with help from Mother of The Bride or Bridesmaids
  • Bridal party having fun
  • Close up of dress details
  • Putting on jewellery
  • Putting on shoes
  • Close up of bride holding bouquet
  • Mother and bride portrait
  • Father and bride portrait
  • Family shots
  • Bride spending moment alone
  • Bridal party walking down stairs/leaving the house
  • Bride and Father in Wedding Car/ Walking to ceremony
  • Groom and Groomsmen getting ready
  • Best man adjusting Groom’s tie
  • Groom spending moment alone
  • Wedding ring shots

11173386_968823289818514_8902679842828639340_n 11173333_968822876485222_2627618612845710157_n 11160582_966707446696765_1627935102614469182_n 11062773_943201265714050_1837489005194412104_n

Wedding Day – Ceremony

  • Shots of empty venue/church – altar, flowers, interior & exterior details
  • Groom and Groomsmen waiting inside venue/church
  • Guests outside and inside church
  • Ushers handing out program
  • Bride arriving in wedding car
  • Bride stepping out of car
  • Bride and Bridesmaids at back of church
  • Bridal Party entrance
  • Bride walking up the aisle
  • Groom’s reaction
  • Father/Mother giving bride away
  • Exchanging of vows
  • Lighting of unity candle
  • 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 outside venue
  • Bride & Groom in back seat of wedding car

603784_968823496485160_1958109412979637776_n 10549244_948535775180599_4686343824732558037_o 1535029_943682792332564_569182587225830769_n

Wedding Day – Post Ceremony

After the ceremony you have to make time for the wedding portraits – this usually takes 1-2 hours depending on the couple and the list of specific shots you require.  Prepare a list of all the people you want in the portraits – 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 first cousins together.

Give this list to your photographer well in advance so they can prepare and discuss any issues. Also assign a close friend (not a bridesmaid or groomsman who will be in the images), someone who knows all the people on the list, to work with the photographer on rounding people up.

Couple Shots

  • Portraits of the couple alone
  • Portraits of Bride on her own
  • Portraits of Groom on his own

Bridal Party

  • Bride and Groom with bridesmaids/groomsmen
  • Bride and Groom with bridal party
  • Bride with bridesmaids/maid of honour
  • Groom and groomsmen/bestman
  • Entire wedding party

11024650_948536485180528_4235748356265405221_n 1012925_968824466485063_2598092646530910230_n 11174791_966708473363329_1736452025443605476_n 11037471_943201729047337_8120800470473710015_n

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

Informal shots

  • Shots with friends
  • Bride showing her new ring to the guests
  • Shots of Guests eating, drinking, and chatting

10403376_966708843363292_6454899439648229554_n 11174762_968823446485165_6271771015991785578_n

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 arriving
  • Toasts and Speeches
  • Cutting the cake
  • The first dance
  • Bride dancing with father/Groom dancing with mother
  • Bride and Groom mingling with guests
  • Guests dancing
  • Musicians, singers, DJ

10431435_948536181847225_6950179046371397059_n 11156281_968824863151690_4823899247540308364_n 11049647_968825063151670_7494348301653993859_n 11149307_968825969818246_4302617422417613823_n

 

11252631_981509248549918_5718860774837052399_n

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


five × 9 =