Must Take Wedding Photo List

I thought I would share my Oh so helpful "must take photos" list for all you soon to be brides out there.

This list is a collaboration of my photo needs and other lists I came across while planning. 

In retrospect, it was one of the best ideas I had.

Yes, my photographer was flabbergasted when I emailed it to him the week before my wedding.

He said no one had ever given him a list before, let alone one of this caliber.
*Enter Bridezilla*

In  the end, it was a real saving grace. ( no pun intended)

Your wedding day gets so crazy and time flies.

Trust me, you are not thinking about what photos you want to have taken in the middle of it all.

And you shouldn't have to.

Your job is to look fabulous... and eat cake.

SO, make your list and give it to...... your photographer, their assistant, your day of coordinator, your maid of honor.

SOMEONE!

And let them be in charge of it.

They can check off the list as the day goes on.

Most of the shots on my list were basic shots my photographer would have taken regardless but after planning and researching for a year solid I saw some great photos that I wanted to make sure we took.

Shes' makin a list, checkin it twice!

GETTING READY


• Bride's dress on  hanger

• Close-up of bride's shoes & jewelry

• Close-up of bride's bouquet & Prayer book with rosary

• Bride in curlers/getting hair done or having makeup applied

• Bridesmaids getting their makeup / hair done

• Mom’s getting ready and hanging out in House

• Bride putting on garter

• Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress, bustle the train, etc.

• Close-up of dress details

• Bride together with bridesmaids

• Bride hugging mom

• Bride hugging dad

• Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride, adding the veil, etc.

• Bride spending moment alone in Bridal Suite

• Bride with family

• Bride with Bridal party and umbrellas outside in yard

• Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go

• Groom

• Groom putting on tie

• Groom with Groomsmen

• Close up of Boutineer / pinning on

• Groom opening Gift from Bride

• Grooms men hanging out in house or cellar/ smoking cigars

• Groom with dad, hugging

• Groom with mom

• Groom with his family

• Groom with Grooms party / showing argyle socks w/ pant legs pulled up

THE REVEALING

• Groom waiting for bride to approach from behind

• Close-up of Bride's face when she sees groom for the first time

• Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time

• Groom and bride hugging

• Groom and bride- American Gothic Pose in front of Barn

• Bride climbing over white fence bare foot

• Bride and Groom laying in grass looking up

• Formal couple shots in bridal suite / Near fountain out front

GROUP PHOTOS

• Jumping

• Umbrella shots

• Groom carrying bride

• Bride with groomsmen

• Group shot of bride, groom, and wedding party

CEREMONY

• Groom looking ahead, waiting for the bride to arrive

• Wide shot of ceremony space from the back

• Guests arriving

• Ushers helping grandparents and special guests to their seats

• Close up of details (programs, hankies, ceremony structure, décor)

• Groom and groomsmen waiting nervously for bride to walk down aisle

• Guests sitting down, waiting for ceremony to start

• Harpist playing

• Bridesmaids walking down the aisle

• Wedding party standing at the altar

• Bride just before walking down the aisle with dad hugging

• Back shot of bride and dad beginning to walk down the aisle

• Full-frontal shot of bride and dad walking down the aisle

• Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them

• Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged

• Close-up of bride's face, as seen over the groom's shoulder

• Close-up of groom's face, as seen over the bride's shoulder

• Shot of both sets of parents' faces as they witness ceremony

• The kiss

• Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple

• Bride and groom walking out of ceremony space, hand-in-hand

• Bride and groom & witnesses signing the marriage license inside the house



BEFORE THE RECEPTION
(During the cocktail hour)

• Bride with her entire family

• Groom with his entire family

• Bride with groom's parents

• Groom with bride's parents

• Bride being lifted or carried by groom

• Cocktail hour & kegs on back deck

• Games being played in side yard

• Close up of wedding bands on hands together

RECEPTION

• Close-up of details (place settings, , gift table, sweetheart table, cake etc.)

• Close-up of centerpieces

• Framed photos out front on barn wall and sign in table

• Everyone coming in

• Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive, possibly taken from above

• Bride and groom's first dance

• Crowd's reaction to dance

• Groom dipping bride

• Bride dancing with her dad

• Groom dancing with his mom

• Bride and groom hugging guests, close-ups of faces

• Food

• Striped straws at bar

• Chalkboard menus for buffet and bar

• Best man, MOH, Best friend making a toast to the couple

• Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)

• Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor. Tip: Ask for a slow shutter speed to get a blurry/focused effect)

• Cookie buffet and boxes

• Guests filling up boxes with cookies to go

• Bouquet & Garter toss


• Groups of friends sitting together at their table or dancing

• Bride and groom whispering to each other

• Parents and family dancing

• Bride and groom cutting the cake

• Bride and groom feeding each other

• Recessional line / everyone out side as Bride & Groom leave

• Bride and groom in front of car (laying on hood if possible)

• Bride and groom in back seat of getaway car

• Back of car as it drives away with decorations

It doesn't hurt to show your photographer examples too.
Hey, you are paying for these photos, might as well get what you want, right?

Here were some of the photos we recreated

Hope this helps!!