There are no rules set in stone regarding which photos are a "must" on a wedding day. Sure, there are photos that are considered classic and important, but it really depends on exactly what the bride and groom want on "their" wedding day!
This shot list gives our clients an example of the many wedding day photos we take. While it may not be possible to get all these shots, knowing which photos are most important to our clients is key to a successful wedding day shoot and happy clients.
If you are planning on getting married you may find this list helpful, so please have a look.
KuhL
Photos
List
of Wedding Day Shots
Getting Ready—Dressing Room: BRIDE
Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the
bedpost, or over a chair
Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
Bride using comb, brush, and compact
Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying
makeup & lipstick
Bride’s hands holding parents’ wedding photo, with
her reflection in the mirror behind
Bride’s hands holding invitation with her
reflection in mirror behind
Bride holding engagement ring with reflection in
mirror
Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as Veil
and Garter
Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself
out in mirror
Detail of clothing (Dress),
shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue,
and bouquet. Also, Invitation and Ring pillow.
Bride
spending a moment alone, thinking quietly, praying or looking out the window,
(window
light only if possible)
Getting Ready-Dressing Room: GROOM
Groom getting ready with Dad and pals
(tying the tie)
Detail shots of
Suit, tie, ring, etc.
Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or
bowties
Touching shot of
groom with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching
shot of groom with sibling/s
The Living Room or Yard: BRIDE
Touching
shot of bride with parent/s and/or stepparent/s (*Formal)
Bride
with dad: (*Formal)
Bride’s
parents alone (*Formal)
Bride
and mom: Regular and soft focus
(*Formal)
Touching shot of bride with sibling/s
Three
generations: Bride’s side
(*Formal)
Bride with sisters (optional Bride with each
sister, or Bride with all siblings
Bride with brothers (optional, Bride with each
brother)
Bride
hugging maid of honor (*Formal)
Bride
with bridesmaids: Several poses (optional,
Bride with each
maid)
(*Formal)
Bride with flower girl
Bride
alone: Three to four close-up
poses, two or three images per
pose
(by
window light at least two) (*Formal)
Bride
alone: Three or four full length
shots (*Formal)
Intimate shots of bride chatting
with/crying with/hugging parents and siblings pre-ceremony
Bride with all the women
Bride
and parents in front of house (etc)
Bride
ready to go
Ring bearer ready to go
Dad helping Bride into
Limousine
The Living Room or Yard: GROOM
Groom
with his arm affectionately around best man (*Formal)
Groom
Alone: Four to six poses, two to
three full-length and two to three portraits (*Formal)
Groom with
each usher/groomsman (*Formal)
Groom
with all the groomsmen (*Formal)
Intimate
shots of groom chatting with/crying with/hugging parents and siblings pre-ceremony
Dad
whispering last-minute advice to groom
Groom
ready to go
Groom making his way to the
ceremony (in a limo backseat, hailing a cab, walking down the
street/hall/stairs)
The Ceremony
Dad
helping Bride out of Limousine
Groom
and Best Man (possibly a gag shot)
Guests
streaming into the site
Close-up
details of guestbook, pew decorations, etc.
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Ushers escorting moms to their seats (Christian
wedding)
Close-up of groom's adorably nervous mug waiting
for his other half
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
Maid of Honor walking down the aisle
Grandparents walking down the aisle
Wedding party waiting at the altar
Groom walking down the aisle
Close-up of bride just before
she makes her entrance
Back shot of bride (and escort)
beginning to walk down the aisle
Bride (and escort) walking down the aisle
Close-up of groom’s face when he sees the bride for
the first time
Dad’s Kiss Good-Bye
Bride and groom at the altar
Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from bride
and groom's point of view
Shot of both sets of parents faces as they watch
ceremony
Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows (as
seen over shoulders)
Close-up of bride's and groom's hands as they
exchange rings
The kiss
Bride and groom proceeding up the aisle, guests'
smiling faces at their sides
Bride and groom outside ceremony site
Congrats shots: bride and groom hugging, laughing, crying
with good friends &
Family
Bride
and groom leaving ceremony site
Bride
and groom in limo backseat
Before the Reception (During the
Cocktail Hour)
Note:
You can also take these before the ceremony.
Bride
and groom together, smiling, hugging, and kissing (*Formal)
Bride
and Groom: Three to four different
poses (*Formal)
Bride
and Groom: Close-up of rings on
hands (*Formal)
Bride
and Groom: A scenic image
(*Formal)
Bride and
Groom: Selective focus--Bride in
focus, then Groom in focus (*Formal)
Bride
being lifted or carried by groom, or sitting on grooms lap
Bride
with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents (*Formal)
Bride
with her entire immediate family (with grandparents) (*Formal)
Groom
with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents (*Formal)
Groom
with his entire immediate) family (with grandparents (*Formal)
Bride
and groom with all parents (*Formal)
Bride with groom’s parents
Groom with bride’s parents
Bride and groom with immediate family members from
both sides
Bride and groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom with bridesmaids
Bride with bridesmaids* (listed in “getting ready”)
Bride with groomsmen
Groom with bridesmaids
Groom with groomsmen* (listed in “getting ready”)
Bride and groom with whole wedding party
Grandparents alone or as couples
Photo of all in attendance (high vantage point)
The Reception
Shot from outside reception site (to set the tone)
Reception details such as place cards, guest book,
centerpieces
decorations, tables
settings, favors table, and champagne glasses
Bride and groom arriving (make it dramatic -- their
faces through the dark limo
windows, the two lovebirds atop a staircase or
pushing through a curtain)
Siblings
Best Man and Maid of Honor
Flower girl and Ring bearer
Receiving line moments
Bride and groom at head table
Parents' table
Guests' tables
Close-up of friends and family making toasts
Bride and groom’s faces as they listen to toasts
Bride and Groom with Best Man and toasting glasses,
if possible
Bride and Groom toasting each other
Bride and groom sipping champagne
Candlelight Photos
Available light night scenes. Including reception hall scenery
Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each
other during dinner
Bride and groom chatting up the guests
Bride and groom hugging guests (close-up of faces)
Bride showing her new ring to the guests
Bride and groom's first dance (maybe with a slow
shutter speed to blur
movement a bit
Groom dipping bride
Parents dancing
Bride and Dad dancing (both dads)
Groom and Mom dancing (both moms)
Wedding party dancing
Grandparents dancing
Kids playing or dancing
Musicians or DJ doing their thing
Close-ups of guests laughing and having a great
time
Guests going nuts on the dance floor (slow shutter
speed on some shots)
Bride laughing with bridesmaids
Cake table
Bride and Groom’s hands over cake, showing rings
Bride and Groom kissing each other with cake in
composition
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Dessert table
Bouquet toss (perhaps a vertical shot from in front
of the bride)
Tossing and catching of the garter
Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's
backseat
Rear of car departing
Misc
Additional
pictures of venue
Relaxed Group
picture of Bridal Party around Limo
Additional Photos
of Band or DJ
Photos of
Cater/food
