Wedding Photography Shot List

Photography Checklist…

It’s a great idea to create a wedding photography checklist no matter what type of photographer you use for your wedding.

Start early when creating your list. Don’t forget the candid photos…they are just as important as the listed items. We have compiled lots of ideas for your list.

Note that much or all of these may be on your photographer’s shot list. Be sure to give him or her any special requests.

Before the Ceremony:

  • Bride leaving home for the big day
  • Bride Arriving at church/venue
  • Wedding Gown Draped over a chair or couch or hanging
  • Bride and Bridesmaids getting dressed
  • Candid shots of Bride and Maids putting on makeup and doing hair
  • Gown being zipped or buttoned
  • Display of Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
  • Bride putting on Garter and Veil
  • Mother fussing with veil
  • Bride in Gown (close and wide, front and back)
  • Maids receiving bouquets
  • Pose of Bride and Mother
  • Pose of Bride and Father
  • Bride’s shoes
  • Bride looking in mirror
  • Bride pinning on Dad’s Boutonniere and Mom’s Corsage
  • Bride looking out of a window
  • Groom alone
  • Groom tying his tie
  • Groom looking in a mirror
  • Groom with Best Man
  • Groom with Groomsmen/Ushers
  • Groomsmen/Ushers receiving Boutonnieres
  • Close-up of Invitation and Programs

At the Ceremony:

  • Front view of the venue/church
  • Interior of church/venue while still empty
  • Officiant
  • Guests Arriving
  • Bride Arriving at Ceremony
  • Guests being escorted to their seats
  • Guests reading programs
  • Seating of Bride and Groom’s Parents
  • Organist/Soloist/Vocalists
  • Groom and Groomsmen at altar
  • Bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer coming down aisle
  • Maid/Matron of Honor coming down aisle
  • Close-up of Bride just before she comes down the aisle
  • Bride being escorted down the aisle
  • Grooms reaction to bride approaching
  • Back of Bride and Father going down the aisle
  • Father giving bride away
  • Bride and Groom exchanging vows
  • Guests from altar point of view
  • Exchange of Rings
  • Unity Candle lighting
  • Groom Kissing Bride
  • Introduction of Husband and Wife
  • Recessional
  • Signing of the Marriage License
  • Bride and Groom exiting church/venue
  • Bride and Groom on church steps/doorway
  • Guests throwing flower petals/birdseed/confetti
  • Bride and Groom getting into vehicle
  • Bride and Groom Waving/Looking out the back window

At the Reception:

  • Exterior and Interior of venue while still empty
  • Bride and Groom Arriving
  • The Receiving Line
  • Wedding Cake
  • Buffet Tables/Food/Groom’s Cake
  • Bar Setup and/or Specialty Cocktails
  • Guests Signing Guest Book
  • The Gift Table 
  • Centerpieces or Any Special Decorations
  • Place Card Table
  • Close-Up of Favors
  • Bride and Groom’s First Dance
  • Bride and Father Dancing
  • Groom and Mother Dancing
  • Wedding Party Dancing
  • Bride and Groom’s Parents Dancing
  • Guests Dancing
  • Bride and Groom posing at each guest table
  • Bride and Groom cutting the wedding cake
  • The feeding of the cake
  • All Speeches/Toasts
  • The Head Table
  • Tables and Settings
  • Bride tossing the bouquet
  • Groom taking the garter from Bride
  • Groom throwing the garter
  • Bride and Groom’s last dance
  • The getaway car

Formal Wedding Photos:

  • Bride Alone (Close and Full Length)
  • Bride and Groom together
  • Bride and Groom’s Hands with Rings
  • Bride with Maid/Matron of Honor
  • Bride with Bridesmaids
  • Bride and Father
  • Bride with Mother
  • Bride with Parents
  • Bride with parents and siblings
  • Bride with grandparents
  • Groom with Best Man
  • Groom with attendants
  • Groom with Father
  • Groom with Mother
  • Groom with parents
  • Groom with parents and siblings
  • Groom with grandparents
  • Couple with Officiant
  • Couple with all attendants
  • Couple with best man and maid/matron of honor
  • Couple with Ring Bearer and Flower Girl
  • Couple with both families
  • Couple with any and all step family members