Wedding Photography Shot List

Photography Tips  •  Wedding Photography

For many people, photography is one of the most important elements for any wedding. The bride and groom will generally be so busy during the wedding day, that you want to be able to look back and re-live the moments at a later stage, as well as share these moments with friends and family. For that reason, capturing the key moments of the day is absolutely crucial.

Photo by twistyfoldy.net; ISO 200, f/8.0, 1/250-second exposure.

Most professional photographers will have their own list of important shots that they develop over time (even if that list is in their head and isn’t written down), but they should always be willing to add any special requests to their list.

Here is a sample shot list to get you thinking:

Bride Preparation:

• Getting hair and make-up done
• Dressing (keep it G-rated!)
• Maid-of-honor zipping/buttoning up the bride’s dress
• Mother of the bride helping bride put on veil
• Putting on garter
• Spraying perfume
• Looking in the mirror
• With the maid-of-honor
• With her parents

Photo by Katsu Nojiri; ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/125-second exposure.

Groom Preparation:

• With the best man prior to getting ready
• Putting on cufflinks
• Putting on fragrance
• Father of the groom helping to put the groom’s jacket on
• Father of the groom fixing the groom’s tie
• Groom and the father of the groom shaking hands
• With the best man after getting ready

Photo by Alessandro Baffa; ISO 200, f/4.0, 1/125-second exposure.

Ceremony:

• Guests being seated
• Bride & Groom’s parents being seated
• Groom, Best Man & Groomsmen awaiting the Bride
• Flower girl, ring bearer, bridesmaids and maid of honor walking down the isle
• Bride and father of the bride walking down the isle
• Father of the bride giving away
• Bride and Groom together at alter
• Exchanging vows
• Exchanging rings
• First kiss as a married couple
• Signing the wedding certificate
• Holding the wedding certificate
• Exiting the ceremony venue
• Getting into limo
• First toast together in limo

Photo by Blavou; ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/600-second exposure.

Family – Group Shots (Be sure to get a full length and close up shot of each):

• Bride with each of her parents
• Groom with each of his parents
• Bride with her parents and siblings
• Groom with his parents and siblings
• Bride with her grandparents
• Groom with his grandparents
• Both with both sets of parents
• Both with both sets of parents and siblings
• Bride and Maid of Honour
• Bride, Maid of Honour and bridesmaids
• Groom and Best Man
• Groom, Best Man & Groomsmen
• All the women & girls
• All the men & boys
• Group shot with everyone

Photo by Albert Palmer; ISO 800, f/4.0, 1/125-second exposure.

Reception:

• Parents being announced
• Bridesmaids and Groomsmen being announced
• Bride and Groom being announced
• Bride and Groom’s first dance together
• Bride and Groom dancing with family members (Bride with father, Groom with Mother, Bride with father in law, Groom with mother in law)
• Best man’s speech & toast to the Bride and Groom
• Toasting with champagne glasses
• Close up of the wedding cake
• Cake cutting
• Kiss after the cake cutting
• Bride throwing the bouquet
• Groom removing Bride’s garter
• Bride and Groom’s last dance
• Remember, the above shots are to be used as a guide only.

Photo by Micheal J; ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/400-second exposure.

All the best for your wedding!

About the Author:
By B Simpson – All Your Memories wedding filming and photography, Brisbane, Australia. Photography and videography services.