A Wedding Photography Checklist

When you're shooting a wedding, things can get pretty hectic pretty quickly and it's easy to forget a crucial shot. A checklist will help you keep track of all the shots that you need to get – because there's rarely the opportunity for a do-over.

The Essential Shots

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It is also a good idea to leave a few spaces for notes. That way, when you go over the list with the bride, if she has special instructions for a particular shot, you can jot them down. Then take the checklist with you to the wedding. That way you can ensure that you won’t miss a single special shot on the couple's big day.

Wedding Photography Checklist: The Bride – Pre-Wedding

* The Bride fixing her hair and applying her makeup

* The wedding gown hanging on a padded hanger on a door or full length mirror; or draped over a chair, spread on the bed, etc.

* Still lifes of the bride’s jewelry, garter, shoes (and the lucky penny)

* Still life of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue – on a tray or other prop

* The bridal bouquet as well as the bridesmaids’ bouquets (detailed shots)

* Candids of the bridesmaids getting ready/dressing

* Mother of the Bride helping the bride with her dress (buttoning or zipping)

* Mother helping bride with detail such as gloves, cuffs, sash, veil, etc.

* Full length of bride in her gown in front of full length mirror (looking at herself)

* Bridesmaids reactions to the bride in her gown

* Father’s reaction to bride in her gown

* Bride with siblings

* Bride with friends

* Bride with parents and siblings

* Bride with her maid or matron of honor (shots of them getting ready, MOH helping the bride, candids of them talking and laughing)

* Bride with her bridesmaids

* Bride with the flowergirl

* Bride in reflective pose (in car on the way to church, looking out a window, etc. NOT looking at the camera)

Wedding Photography Checklist: The Groom – Pre-Wedding

* Groom getting ready with his father and his groomsmen

* Groom’s mother helping him with his tie/boutonniere, etc.

* Tender moments between the groom and his mother and/or father

* Close-up of wedding bands

* Groom with parents

* Groom with siblings

* Groom with friends

* Groom with parents and siblings

* Groom with the best man

* Groom with his groomsmen

* Groom with the ringbearer

* Groomsmen putting on their ties, cummerbunds, boutonnieres

* Candid of the groom in a thoughtful or reflective pose

Wedding Photography Checklist: Pre-Ceremony

* Bride and groom separately as they head to the ceremony

* Interior and exterior shots of the site prior to the guests arrival

* Candid shots of the ushers seating the guests, shots of the guests

* Both sets of grandparents being escorted down the aisle

* Groom walking his mother down the aisle

* Close up as groom while he waits for his bride (get his expression)

* Bridal party walking down the aisle

* Flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle

* Bride and her father (or escort) waiting to walk down the aisle

* Attendant straightening the bride’s train before she goes out

* Close up of bride before she starts down the aisle

* Bride and her father/escort walking down the aisle

* Groom’s reaction to the bride when he sees her

* Bride’s father/escort giving her away

* The look on the couple’s faces as the bride joins her groom at that altar

Wedding Photography Checklist: During the Ceremony

* Bride and groom with the priest at the altar

* Both sets of parents as they watch the ceremony

* Guest POV of the altar (wide shot)

* Couple’s POV of the guests (wide shot)

* Candle lighting, prayers, readings and other special moments

* Closeup of each as they recite their vows

* Wide shot, then zoom in for tight shot on their hands as they exchange rings

* The kiss (wide, then zoom in tight)

* The priest introducing the newly married couple to the guests

* Close up of the newlyweds right after the ceremony

Wedding Photography Checklist: Post Ceremony

* Bride and groom hugging their family and friends after the ceremony

* Bride showing her wedding ring to her bridesmaids

* Quiet moment between bride and her mother, bride and groom’s mother, bride and her maid of honor

* Bride and groom as they leave the site of the ceremony.

Wedding Photography Checklist: Before the Reception

* Bride and groom together

* Bride with her mother

* Bride with her father

* Bride with both of her parents

* Bride with her immediate family

* Bride with other family (special aunts, close cousins, etc)

* Bride’s family

* Groom’s family

* Groom with his mother

* Groom with his father

* Groom with both of his parents

* Groom with his immediate family

* Groom with other family (special aunts, close cousins, etc)

* Bride and groom with bride’s family

* Bride and groom with groom’s family

* Bride and groom with both sets of parents

* Bride and groom with both immediate families

* Bride and groom with maid of honor and best man

* Bride and groom with bridesmaids

* Bride and groom with groomsmen

* Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer

* Bride and groom with the entire wedding party

Wedding Photography Checklist: During the Reception

* Interior and exterior shots of the reception site prior to the guests’ arrival

* Still lifes of menus, decorations, place cards, favors, centerpieces, Champagne glasses, table settings, flowers, candles

* The cake

* The spread of food, champagne fountain, etc.

* Guests as they arrive and sign the guest book

* Family arriving (parents, etc)

* Wedding party arriving

* Bride and groom arriving

* Receiving line

* Close ups of toasts (friends and family)

* Long shot of the bride’s and groom’s table

* Tight shot of the bride and groom having champagne at their table

* Tight shot of bride and groom sharing a tender moment (candid)

* Bride and groom mingling with guests

* Bride and groom’s first dance

* Band playing the first dance song

* Bride dancing with her father

* Groom dancing with his mother

* Parents and grandparents dancing

* Wedding party dancing

* Guests dancing and sitting at tables

* Bride and groom dancing with the wedding party

* Bride and groom cutting the cake

* Groom’s cake

* Bouquet toss

* Garter toss

* Newlywed’s vehicle getting “decorated”

* Newlywed’s vehicle

* Bride and groom leaving the reception

* Bride and groom driving away

* Close ups of bride’s parents and groom’s parents when couple leave

* Various candids of guests.

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