Wedding Photography Checklist
Brides,
If you think it will be hard to remember what you want the day of the wedding, imagine how much you will forget once the wedding is over. Don't let yourself get upset about pictures you may have missed taking on the big day. Instead, come up with a list of Must Have Pictures before your wedding day to discuss or give to your photographer. Remember also that wedding photographers are professionals and it's their job to capture the moments you will remember the rest of your life. Also remember that photographers love to capture all of the little details that made your wedding unique. Have those special DIY's, programs, invitations, your garter, and any other details you have with you when you are getting ready to give to the photographer when he or she arrives. This will help to save your photographer's time and make sure that all of those hours of craftiness won't be forgotten. Here's a simple wedding photography checklist that can get you to start thinking about the types of pictures you can't forget.Before The Ceremony Shots
___ Wedding dress lying over a chair ___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress ___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace or looking through her veil ___ The bride's garter ___ The bride's veil ___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress ___ Bride looking into a mirror ___ Bride looking out window ___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup ___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father ___ Mother/father handing bride bouquet ___ Bride hugging parents ___ Bride touching up ___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony ___ Groom tying tie ___ Groom looking into mirror ___ Groom looking out window ___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father ___ Groom hugging parents ___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony Will you be having a first look? Think about how you want that special moment captured.Ceremony Shots
___ Outside of ceremony site ___ Guests walking into ceremony site ___ Bride and father entering ceremony site ___ Parents being seated ___ Grandparents being seated ___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle ___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle ___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle ___ Groom waiting for bride ___ Ceremony musicians ___ Officiant ___ Altar or canopy during ceremony ___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance ___ Bride and father walking down aisle ___ Groom seeing bride for first time ___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance ___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle ___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view ___ The unity ceremony ___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows ___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows ___ Exchanging the rings ___ Close up of hands ___ The kiss ___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle ___ Receiving line ___ Bride & Groom outside on steps ___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed ___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations ___ Bride & Groom getting in car ___ Bride & Groom in back seatFormal Shots
___ Bride alone (full length) ___ Bride with Maid of Honor ___ Bride with bridesmaids ___ Groom with bridesmaids ___ Bride with parents ___ Bride & Groom together ___ Bride & Groom with parents ___ Bride & Groom with families ___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party ___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ring bearer ___ Groom with parents ___ Groom with best man ___ Groom with groomsmen ___ Bride with groomsmenReception Shots
___ Outside of reception site ___ Bride & Groom arriving ___ Bride & Groom greeting guests ___ Table centerpieces ___ Table setting ___ Bride & Groom's table (head table) ___ Musicians or DJ ___ Guest book ___ Place card table ___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card ___ Wedding cake ___ Groom's cake ___ Gift table ___ Decorations (specify which ________) ___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table ___ Bride with college alums ___ Groom with college alums ___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving ___ Bride & Groom's first dance ___ Bride & Father dancing ___ Groom & Mother dancing ___ Guests dancing ___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake ___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake ___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ______________) ___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne ___ Signing the marriage license ___ Bride throwing bouquet ___ Groom retrieving garter ___ Groom tossing garter ___ Garter/Bouquet dance ___ The getaway car ___ Bride & Groom leaving party ___ Bride & Groom driving away
Remember this is a very basic list to help you think about what types of pictures you want taken on your wedding day. Be creative with your list, think of shots that haven't been taken before.