Wedding Planner. The Photography Checklist

Plan Wedding- Photography Checklist!


Photos are the only thing that stands the test of time and is a visual reminder of the feelings and emotions you felt on your wedding day. There are so many important moments that make up a wedding day that it can be hard to keep up with, so how do you ensure you capture them all? Plan wedding photography checklist before the ceremony! Therefore I made a checklist of possible classic wedding images. The list designed to guide you through the very basics of the wedding day. Have a look!

Getting Ready

If there are two photographers, one can focus on the groom and the other on the bride.

Groom's photos:

  • Groom and Groomsmen getting ready
  • Best man adjusting the Groom's tie
  • Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or ties
  • Groom spending moment alone
  • Wedding ring shots
  • Groom with his parents and siblings
  • Groom with the best man
  • Groom with his groomsmen
  • Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony


The First Look (optional)


A recent development has been for the couple to choose to see each other before the ceremony begins, and for the wedding photographer to capture this intimate moment when the happy couple sees each other for the first time. While lots of couples treasure the top of the aisle moment, for others the privacy of being alone when you first see each other allows a release of emotion and intimacy away from hundreds of onlookers.

  • Bride and Groom alone for the first look
  • Close-up of groom’s expression while waiting for the bride
  • Groom's reaction
  • Bridal Party reaction if couple enter together












































Bride's photos:


  • 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
  • Mother buttoning or zipping up the bride’s dress
  • Mother helping the bride with one last detail, such as the veil
  • The Bridal party having fun
  • Close up of dress details
  • Putting on jewellery
  • Putting on shoes
  • Close up of bride holding bouquet
  • Full-length shot of the bride in her gown, looking at herself in a mirror
  • Bridesmaids reacting to the bride in her gown
  • Father seeing the bride in her gown
  • Mother and bride portrait
  • Father and bride portrait
  • Family shots
  • Bride spending moment alone
  • Bridal party walking downstairs/leaving the house
  • Bride and Father in Wedding Car/ Walking to the ceremony
Trip to the Ceremony/Venue

  • Bride and Father/Mother
  • Bride and Bridesmaids/Flower-girls
  • Groom and Groomsmen/Pageboys

















































The Wedding Ceremony:
  • Shots of empty venue/church - altar, flowers, interior & exterior details
  • Groom and Groomsmen waiting inside venue/church
  • Guests outside and inside the church
  • Ushers handing out program
  • The Bride arriving in the wedding car
  • Bride stepping out of the car
  • Bride and Bridesmaids at the back of the church
  • Close-up of the bride just before she makes her entrance
  • Bridal Party entrance
  • Both sets of grandparents walking down the aisle
  • Groom walking down the aisle with his mother
  • Bride walking up the aisle
  • Close-up of groom’s expression while waiting for the bride
  • Groom's reaction
  • Father/Mother giving the bride away
  • Exchanging of vows
  • The lighting of the 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
  • Greeting guests outside the venue
  • Bride & Groom in the back seat of wedding car

Reception:

  • The reception space set up - before the room fills up
  • Details and room decor shots - table settings, place cards, favours, candy buffet, centre-pieces etc.
  • Wedding cake detail shots
  • Guest book
  • Place card table
  • Closeup of bride and groom's place card
  • Gift table
  • Other details
  • Bride & Groom arriving
  • Toasts and Speeches
  • Cutting the cake
  • Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
  • The first dance
  • Bride dancing with father/Groom dancing with mother
  • Bride and Groom mingling with guests
  • Guests dancing
  • Musicians, singers, DJ
  • Bride throwing the bouquet
  • Bride and groom leaving
  • Shot of decorated car or transport.
After 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 your siblings or a shot of all your first cousins together.

After the ceremony outside the wedding venue:

  • Throwing of confetti
  • Married couple kissing (close up)
  • Married couple kissing (2/3 length)
  • Married couple kissing (full length)
  • Bride and groom looking at the ring
  • Bride and groom’s hands with rings and flowers
  • Bride and groom with vicar/registrar
  • Bride and groom with Priest or registrar
  • Bride, groom and wedding party
  • Bride and groom in wedding door
  • Bride and groom leaving the wedding venue grounds by transport
  • Group shots of families
  • Bride with her mother
  • Bride with her father Bride and groom with bride’s parents
  • Bride and groom with groom’s parents
  • Bride with both parents
  • Bride with bridesmaid and bouquets
  • Bridesmaids with flowers
  • Pageboys Groom with parents
  • Groom with mother
  • Groom with father
  • Bride and groom with both sets of parents
  • Bride and groom with close friends or family

Informal shots:

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

Site-specific shoots:

  • Couple sitting with dress spread out
  • Couple by tree
  • Couple walking on the beach
  • Couple walking in woods
  • Couple in ruins of the old building
  • Couple on the bridge or looking over waters.
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