Wedding Photography Checklist Ideas

The wedding day is a special moment that nobody will forget. To ensure that all the special moments are captured, you should consider creating a wedding photography checklist. By doing this, you will know what to capture, when to capture, and how to capture. Just keep in mind that each shot may take up several minutes.

Before we get started, there are a few things worth mentioning. For example, as previously mentioned, the photographer will have to spend several minutes for each shot that has been requested. That is why the list must be planned accordingly. Some moments might not even be captured due to the shortage of time. In the end, it all comes down to the photographer’s skill. Speed is of the essence. Discuss with your clients in detail, to get a better understanding of the types of photos they want to see in the wedding album.

wedding photography checklist

With these things in mind, we created a wedding photography checklist that should help you organize:

Before the Ceremony

  • The bride with her family.
  • Groom with his parents.
  • The bride with her Bridesmaids.
  • Bridesmaids helping the bride with her makeup and hair.
  • Picture of the bride’s veil.
  • The groom with his best man and groomsmen.
  • Mother helping the bride with the last details.
  • Dad helping Groom to get ready.
  • Groomsmen getting ready by putting their bow-ties or boutonnières.
  • The Bride in her Wedding Dress.
  • Dad providing one last advice to the groom, before the ceremony.
  • Bride and groom getting ready to go to the ceremony.
  • Touching shots with the bride and groom discussing, crying, hugging parents, siblings, and friends before the ceremony.
  • Bride and groom going separately to the church. Pictures can be with them in the limo backseat, getting a cab or walking to their destination.

During the Ceremony

  • Shots of the location where the ceremony is held, before and after wedding party members arrive.
  • Groom and groomsmen assuming their positions.
  • Shots with guests taking their seats.
  • Shot with the grooms expression as he awaits his bride.
  • The bridesmaids walking to the altar.
  • Pictures with the flower girls and ring bearer.
  • Shots with the bride going to the altar.
  • Grooms reactions as his bride comes to the altar.
  • Shot with the bride being given at the altar.
  • The happy couple during the ceremony.
  • Picture with the parents watching the ceremony.
  • Wide angle shot of the altar, from the guests’ point of view.
  • Shots of guests from the couple’s point of view.
  • Special shots of the ceremony.
  • Close ups of the bride and groom as they recite their vows.
  • Close-ups as the couple exchange rings.
  • Another close up as the couple kiss at the end of the ceremony.
  • Shots with the couple as they hug their parents and friends.
  • Picture with the bride presenting the ring to her bridesmaids, parents and friends.
  • Shot of the couple as they leave the ceremony.

Previous to the Reception

  • Pictures with the couple.
  • The bride and her parents.
  • The groom and his parents.
  • The happy couple with all their family members.
  • The couple and bridesmaids.
  • The couple and groomsmen.
  • Bride and groom with the flower girl and ring bearer.
  • The couple with family and friends.

The Wedding Party

  • Pictures with the exterior of where the reception is held.
  • Pictures with the interior of where the reception is held. 
  • The couple making their way to the reception.
  • The couple at their table.
  • Pictures with the parents and guests tables.
  • The wedding party wishing the best to the newlywed couple during their toasts.
  • The couple drinking champagne.
  • The parents of the groom and bride chatting with each other during dinner.
  • The couple talking with guests.
  • Very important, shots containing the first dance as man and wife of the groom and bride.
  • Parents dancing.
  • Dad and bride dancing.
  • Mom and groom dancing.
  • The senior family members waltzing.
  • Children dancing or playing.
  • Shots with the band or DJ.
  • Guests dancing.
  • Picture of the cake.
  • The newlywed couple as they cut and share cake.
  • The couple sharing to one another cake.
  • The bouquet toss.
  • Bride and groom saying their goodbyes to family and friends.
  • The newlywed couple as they depart from the reception.
  • Picture of the car as it departs.

Wedding Photography Checklist

The wedding day is probably the most beautiful moment in both a man’s and woman’s life. As such, it is important to immortalize the beautiful moments that come along with it. Preparation is everything. Alongside having to plan the reception, what wedding dress to wear, the bouquets and much more, the list of moments to be immortalized on film is also paramount.

Communication is the key, so let your photographer know what moments he or she should capture. They will remain forever so it is important to not have regrets. Just keep in mind that around five minutes will be required for each shot, so some of them may not make it on the film. Nevertheless, if everything planned correctly, then all special moments shall remain forever, not only in our minds but also in our photo albums. So plan ahead the wedding photography poses checklist to make sure all the moments important to you will be captured.

This brings to an end our article on wedding photography checklist ideas. We hope that our tips were most useful. Also, feel free to let us know what other moments that have not been written down should be captured. Simply leave your idea in the comment section below. We are most confident that there are many more moments worth capturing on film.

Image Sources: 1, 2.