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The Ultimate Wedding Photography Checklist

wedding photography checklist
Photo by: Carlos Mendoza Lima



Shooting a wedding always comes with a certain amount of pressure, if you are just starting out in wedding photography it is always a good idea to keep a shoot list so you don’t accidentally miss out important shots. During a wedding there is no chance for a re-take if you miss the shots, so a little time spent planning will go a long way in ensuring that the big day runs smoothly. Here's a wedding photography checklist which you could print out and keep with you during the wedding which will make sure you never miss out any important shots. The list is complied from many wedding shoot lists online. A PDF version of the list could be found here.

Wedding Photography Checklist


At the Brides Home


Mother/Chief bridesmaid adjusting bride’s veil
Hair Styling
Bride applying Makeup
Friends/Family assisting the bride
Bride putting on garter with bridesmaid/s looking on
Bride in bedroom mirror getting ready
Mom helping bride with one last detail
Full-length shot of the bride in her gown, looking at herself in a mirror
Putting on Jewelry
Bride walking down stairs
Corsage being pinned on mother
Corsage being pinned on father
Portrait of mother and bride
Portrait of father and bride
Brothers and/or sisters and bride
Group shot of whole party
Bride with individual bridesmaids etc
Bride hugging friends and family
Bride with all the women
Bride leaving house with parents and bridesmaid/s
Father helping bride into car
Shot of bride in back of car from the front seat looking back

Detail Shots


The bride's shoes
The bride's dress hanging on a hanger
The bride's tiara, necklace, etc.
Any fine detail in her dress

At the Church - Before the Service


Church Wide Shot (with & without guests)
Officiant
Altar
Groom waiting
Groom and best man
Groom, best man and page boys
Best man adjusting grooms tie
Groom and best man shaking hands
Groom with father
Groom with mother
Groom and best man at front of church waiting
Guests arriving at the church
Bride arriving in car
Parents arriving
Parents being seated
Bride exiting car father helping
Bride kissing father on the cheek
Bride with mother and father looking on
Bride and parents
Bride, full-length
Groom with parents
Bridesmaids entering
Maid of honour entering
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Bride and bridesmaid/s group shot in church garden or vestibule
Any candid shots of wedding party
Bride walking down aisle ( Side Profile & Front )
Groom over the shoulder shot of bride ( & Vis Versa)

Detail Shots


The wedding invitation
The sheet music played at the wedding
The guestbook (once a few people have signed it)
Their champagne glasses
Name cards at the reception
Their wedding rings (perhaps posed on the invitation with some rose petals casually placed nearby)
The airline tickets for their honeymoon
The sheet music, or CD jewel case, to the music for their first dance
The groom's boutonniere
The bride's bouquet

At the Church - During the Service


Crowd shots of guests
Bridal party coming down the aisle
Bridesmaid/s, flower girls etc. coming down the aisle
Bride and father coming down the aisle
Groom’s face as he waits/sees her
Father giving bride away
Holding hands – Bride and Groom
Crowd applause
Unity ceremonies or memorials
General shots of ceremony (wherever allowed)
From rear of church looking down the aisle at couple
Above from organ area or balconies
Ad hoc shots of guests/church
Breaking of glass/jumping of broom etc
Soloists
Readers
Ring Bearer
Ring ceremony
Kissing
Exchanging of vows
Exchanging rings
Bride and Groom being congratulated
Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple
Bride and Groom leaving the ceremony


After the Service – Inside the Church


Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
Bride and groom
Bride and groom with parents
Bride and groom with wedding party
Bride and groom with family
Bride signing the register
Groom signing the register
Bride and groom signing the register
Best man signing the register
Maid of honour signing the register
Bride and groom coming back down the aisle


After the Service – Outside the Church


Bride and groom walking away from camera, holding hands
Bride and groom looking off in the same direction together
Bride and groom with extended families
Groom kissing bride full length
Groom kissing bride ¾ length
Groom kissing bride close up head shot
Bride and groom looking at ring
Bride and grooms hands with rings and flowers
Bride and groom with vicar/registrar etc
Bride, groom and bridal party
Any other shots set up if missed during the service
Bride with bridesmaid/s and flowers
Bride with best man and groomsmen
Groom with bridesmaid/s
Bride and groom in church door
Bride and groom leaving church
Bride, groom, bridesmaid/s, best man and groomsmen outside church
Group shots (to be arranged as per the family)
Bride and groom with bride's parents
Bride and groom with groom's parents
Bride and groom with bride's immediate family
Bride and groom with groom's immediate family
Bride with her mother
Bride with her father
Bride with both parents
Groom with his mother
Groom with his father
Groom with both parents
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
Bride and groom or either with special members of family/friends
Couple getting into wedding car
Shot of couple from front seat or through sunroof etc
Shot of car with couple and church in background


Special Shots



Various shots at a predetermined destination
Couple sitting with dress train spread out
Couple on bridge looking at water
Couple next to a tree
Couple walking in woods
Couple walking on beach
Couple in ruins of old building
Any other special shots


At the Reception


Reception/Banquet Hall Outside shot
Food Shots (Cocktail Hour, Drinks, etc.)
Shot of each table full of guests
Table setting
Centerpieces & Flower/Decorations
Receiving line
Couple greeting guests
Wedding cake
Guest book (assuming names already in there)
Guests signing book
Musicians or DJ and/or entertainers performing
Close-up shot of the wedding bands
Gifts
Toasts
Close up of bride and groom on top table
Close up of bride and groom toasting
Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)
Guests smiling and clapping
Bride and groom whispering to each other
Various shots of guests during meal/speeches
Bride's fathers speech
Grooms speech
Best mans speech
Any other speeches
Bride and Groom mingling with guests
First dance
Bride and father dancing
Groom and mother dancing
Other family or guests dancing
Kids dancing or playing around
Candid shots of any shenanigans during reception (keep it clean)
Cutting the cake
Bride and Groom feeding each other cake
Dinner Service
Bride throwing bouquet (mock up)
Bride throwing bouquet (actual)
Groom getting bride’s garter
Garter toss
Garter/Bouquet dance
Bride & Groom giving away wedding favors
Bride & Groom’s Parents Dancing (Plus Grandparents)
Groom Giving Coat to Bride
Bride and groom sipping champagne
Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each other during dinner
Set up of bride and groom leaving
Actual shot of Bride and groom leaving
Shot of decorated car
Car leaving reception
Bride & Groom driving away


Any Other Shots



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This list is intended to help you not miss any important shots. Take a print out of this list and hand it over to the wedding couple during your first meeting. Ask them to tick the one’s that’s important to them, add any that you've missed and hand in back to you. This way you know beforehand what shots are important and can make sure you don’t miss those during the wedding. Download or Print the PDF version here:- Wedding Photography Checklist.

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