Hiring a photographer to document your wedding is one of the most daunting tasks, and once you’ve found the one–you’re not quite finished yet! An experienced wedding photographer will have a general idea of what shots are expected but the only way to make sure that you are both on the same page is to make a shot-list ahead of time. A shot-list is simply a list of the moments that you want to have documented. It is important to think it through ahead of time because it is easy to overlook things when you’re caught up in all of the festivities on the day-of. Your wedding day flies by in a beautiful blur and you want to make sure you have every special moment captured–here’s our shot-list guide to make sure you don’t miss a single thing!
PHOTOGRAPHY + DESIGN | Dear Lovers
Normally, the thought of having someone document your getting-ready routine would be hair-raising, but on your wedding day, it’s a surprisingly pretty process. To make these moments as photogenic as possible, consider investing in an attractive robe for you and your bridal party or at least requesting that everyone wears matching or coordinating colors.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Mary Claire Photography
Hair and Makeup
Getting your hair and makeup done on your wedding day is a great time to sit back and relax before all of the action. To make yourself more comfortable, you can ask your photographer to wait to start shooting until after you have your base layer of makeup on (foundation and cover-up).
The Zip
Whether you are having your mom do it or one of your bridesmaids, make sure that your photographer captures the moment that you get zipped (buttoned or laced) into your gown. It is a sweet moment and you’ll be glad you have it to look back on.
Candids of Bride(s) and Bridesmaids Getting Ready
Ask your photographer to snag some candids of you and your girls are getting ready and sipping champagne.
Candids of Groom(s) and Groomsmen Getting Ready
Tying ties and clinking crystal glasses make for great candid shots of you and your guys getting ready for your big day!
Putting on the Jacket
Make sure your photographer is there when you’re ready to put on your jacket.
Putting on Shoes
Shoes are usually the last accessory to be donned in your wedding-day ensemble, making that moment the perfect photo-op…bonus points if you’ve got a cute chair to sit in while you do it.
You spend so much time and money getting all of the details just right, so make sure you document them!
PHOTOGRAPHY | Sophie Epton Photography
Accessories Bride(s) and Groom(s)
A lot goes into your wedding ensemble; those designer shoes you sprung for, earrings, your grandpa’s heirloom cufflinks–make sure you get detailed photos of them all.
Invitation Suite Flat Lays
Not only is this a great way to remember your anniversary date, but invitation suites make for beautiful photos!
Tablescape
We recommend getting close-ups of the tablescape for your reception before your guests arrive, this way everything is still in the right place. This can be anything from china, to glassware, to floral centerpieces.
Rings
Probably the most important close-up of the day–your rings! We recommend investing in pretty ring boxes that compliment the rest of your wedding decor. Don’t forget to get close-ups of the rings on your hands as well.
Written Vows
If you and your fiancé(e) are writing your own vows, get close-ups of those. Even if your handwriting isn’t the best or you’ve nervously crumpled the paper, that is a memory you’ll want to have down the road.
The Cake
Who doesn’t like a photo of a wedding cake? Get close-ups of that baby from every angle!
Florals
These probably make for the prettiest wedding photos. Remember to have your photographer document all of the florals: the bouquets, the centerpieces, aisle runners, installations, etc.
Escort Card Display
Most couples get creative with their escort cards, so why not document that? It is also a great way to remember all of the guests that came out for your big day!
It’s easy to remember the group photos, but it’s also important to get individual photos of the Bride(s) and Groom(s) in their ensembles. You also want to get one-on-one photos of the couple with each of the people that mean the most to them.
PHOTOGRAPHY | O’Malley Photographers
One-on-one with all bridal party members
Take a minute to grab a photo with each of the bridal party members on your side. Frame them and send them with your thank you cards to add an extra special touch.
One-on-one with parents
These photos are always some of the most touching! You can pose or keep it candid, it’s up to you.
One-on-one with siblings
This one is easy to overlook, especially if your sibling(s) isn’t getting ready with you. Coordinate with them to come to the room where you are getting ready at a certain time to make sure you don’t miss this photo-op!
One-on-one with grandparents
We can’t stress how important this one is! If you are lucky enough to have one or all of your grandparents at your wedding, make sure you get a photo with them. You will treasure it for the rest of your life and so will they!
Group photo with bridal party
Now that you’ve gotten all of the one-on-one photos out of the way, make sure to get a few group photos with your bridal party. Candids or walking shots are great for these!
A first look is the first time someone sees you in your wedding outfit and they usually evoke some pretty strong reactions, so make sure you get it on camera! It’s also worth mentioning that these can be quite emotional, so make sure your makeup artist uses waterproof mascara and is on hand for any touch-ups.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Michael and Carina Photography
Bridesmaid’s First Look
The first time your girls see you in your gown is always a sweet moment.
Parents First Look
This can be combined with the zip/jacket moment mentioned above or can be done separately, depending on how you roll, but either way, there’s sure to be a few tears of joy.
Siblings First Look
Having a first look with your siblings is a great way to capture some sweet candids.
Grandparent’s First Look
Your grandparents have been dreaming of this day since the day you were born, so their reaction is sure to bring the waterworks.
THE FIRST LOOK
Some couples do a first look before the ceremony and some are totally against it. If you do decide to do a first look, make sure you have your photographer right there with you to capture both of your reactions.
Chances are you and your fiancé(e) spent a lot of time selecting the perfect venue for your wedding, make sure to document it!
PHOTOGRAPHY | Luna de Mare Photography
Daytime Outside Shots
Before everyone arrives get some outdoor shots of your venue.
Venue Details
Ask your photographer to get detail shots of the venue like chandeliers, design accents, etc.
The Ceremony Space
Once your ceremony space is set up, ask your photographer to grab some shots before your guests arrive.
The Reception Space
While your guests are enjoying their cocktail hour, your photographer may have time to sneak in and get some nice photos of your reception space.
This is the most critical moment to document, the reason you and your family and friends are all together to celebrate…the ceremony!
PHOTOGRAPHY | Blush Wedding Photography
Live Musicians
If you have live musicians like a band or a string quartet, these make for beautiful photos. Consider talking with them about what to wear to make sure that it is either neutral or coordinates with your wedding dress code.
The Officiant
Whether you are having a religious leader that you grew up with or a friend or family member perform the ceremony, it is important to remember the person that made your vows official.
The Procession
This is the moment when each member of the wedding party walks down the aisle, including the Bride(s) and Groom(s). Ask your photographer to get a separate shot of everyone as they walk down the aisle.
The Reaction
This is by far our favorite wedding moment when you and your fiancé(e) lock eyes for the first time. If you have it in the budget to have two photographers, we definitely recommend it, this way you can capture both of your reactions.
Vows
The moment you recite your vows to each other is a must for your wedding photos!
Rings
Ask your photographer to get a photo of each of you placing the ring on the other’s finger. These photos can be farther away for the ceremony and then you can recreate the moment later for close-ups.
The Kiss
This is probably the most iconic wedding photo you will take, so take your time and make sure you give your photographer a few seconds to snap the winning shot.
The Recessional
It may seem like these photos would be pretty similar to the procession, but they are a totally different vibe and worth getting!
Most photographers allow about an hour for couples portraits, either before or after the ceremony, depending on whether or not you and your fiancé(e) are planning on doing a first look before the ceremony or not. For these photos, you will likely move to several different locations around your venue while your guests enjoy the cocktail hour. Consider asking a family member or someone in your wedding party to come with you to help hold bouquets, trains, etc. as you two pose for your photos.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Stephanie Gan Photography
It’s a nice idea to document the cocktail hour if you have a second photographer. Ask them to get a few photos of the space, any specialty cocktails, and some candids of your guests.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Oliver Fly Photography
Even though the ceremony is over, there are still some must-haves on the shot-list for the reception.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Jen Huang Photography
Wedding Party Entrance
After everyone is in the reception space, ask your photographer to get a photo of everyone in the bridal party as they make their entrance.
The Grand Entrance
Now it’s time for you and your spouse to make your grand entrance. This is always a cute moment so feel free to ham it up a bit. If you decide to do an outfit change, this is a great time to do it so you can show off your second look.
The First Dance
This moment makes for some of the most frameable photos from the entire wedding. It may seem awkward dancing in front of all of your friends and family as your photographer snaps photos of you, but you will be so happy to have this moment to look back on forever.
Dances with Parents
If you and your fiancé(e) are planning on doing Father-daughter or Mother-son dances, ask your photographer to stay and document those. They are special moments that last a lifetime.
Toasts
These sweet moments make for great candid shots of the people that you’re closest to.
Guests with Couple
Ask your photographer to join you and your spouse as you make your rounds to the different tables to greet your guests.
Guests Dancing with Couple
If you’ve booked your photographer to stay through the reception, ask them to join you and your guests on the dancefloor.
Bouquet and Garter Toss
If you and your fiancé(e) are planning on doing the bouquet and garter toss, these moments make for some fun photos.
Cake Cutting
It’s time to cut into that precious pastry and hopefully feed it to each other in a civilized fashion (or not!).
We love send-off photos, especially when the couple goes over the top with fireworks, confetti, or bubbles! If your photographer is still around, ask them to capture this epic moment. If you cannot afford to have your photographer stay until after the reception, consider staging your send off a little earlier in the day…it’s truly a photo worth faking!
PHOTOGRAPHY | Lauren Fair Photography