Must Have Wedding Photo Shots

A list of essential shots you ‘must have’ on your wedding day

Everyone wants a collection of perfect wedding photographs to record their big day and it’s often a good idea to prepare a shot-list beforehand.

Your photographer will probably have a set list to work from but will welcome your input – perhaps you’ve seen a great wedding photo somewhere and want to use the idea yourself; if it’s not a standard shot then put it in your list.

Here’s a list of ‘must-have’ wedding shots for you to consider. Use this guide to create your own personalised shot list.

Don’t print it off ‘as-is’ and hand it to your wedding photographer – he will have seen it many times and will not be impressed! It’s a good idea to use your own shot list as a guide and leave some room for your photographer to use his/her artistic creativity.

Before the Ceremony

Bride Putting On Garter With Bridesmaids Looking On
Bride In Dressing Room With Mirror
Bride Pinning Corsage On Mother
Bride Pinning Flower On Father
Flower Girl Handing Bouquet To Bride
Mother Adjusting Veil
Portrait Of Mother and Bride …. Father and Bride
Brothers and Sisters and Bride
Bride Leaving House
Father Helping Bride Into Car
Groom tying tie
Groom looking into mirror

At The Church

Guests Arriving
Groom And Groomsmen
Groom With Best Man
Best Man Adjusting Groom’s Tie
Groom And Best Man Checking Their Watches
Groom With Best Man And Minister
Groom And Best Man Looking At Wedding Rings
Signing Marriage Certificate
Bride And Bridesmaids In Vestibule
Bride’s Mother On Usher’s Arm
Other People Being Accompanied Down Aisle

During The Ceremony

Bride Being Taken Down Aisle By Father
Father Giving Away Bride

After The Ceremony At Church

Bride And Groom Coming Down The Aisle
Groom Kissing Bride At The Altar (Set Up)
Groom Putting Ring On Bride’s Finger (Set Up)
Receiving The Ring After Ceremony
Bride And Groom On The Steps Of Church
Getting Into Car
Shot while seated in the car

Mood Shots In And Around The Church Or Wedding Area Grounds

Bridal Party
Bridal Party With Brides Parents
Bridal Party With Grooms Parents
Bridal Party Grandparents
Bridal Party Brothers And Sisters
Bridal Party Uncles And Aunties
Bridal Party With Friends
Bridal Party With All Brides Family
Bridal Party With All Of Grooms Family

Between The Ceremony And The Reception

Outdoor Shots Of Bride And Groom
Outdoor Shots Of Wedding Party
Shots Of Groom And Best Man
Shots Of Bride And Maid Of Honour

At The Reception

Receiving Line
Wedding Cake (Prior To Being Cut)
Guests Signing Book
Introduction Of The Wedding Party
Wedding Party Toasting Bride And Groom
Bride and Groom Toasting Each Other

Dances

Bride And Father
Groom And Mother
Bride And Groom First Dance
Bride Showing Rings To Bridesmaids
General Dancing Shots

Candid’s Of Wedding Party

Flower Girl And Ring Bearer Together
Group Family Portraits
Bride Throwing Bouquet
Groom And Garter
Cutting The Cake
Bride And Groom Feeding Cake To Each Other
Bride And Groom’s Hands With Rings On

Special Requests and list of people the photographer shouldn’t miss!

Make some notes also, for any special requests and a list of people you definitely want your photographer to capture shots of.