The Ultimate Wedding Photography Checklist

29 Mar

Pass this simple wedding photography checklist to your photographer to help capture every unique moment of your wedding.

A checklist for wedding photography, outlining essential shots and moments to capture during the ceremony and reception.

Photographing a wedding day means photographing one of the most special days of someone’s life. With so many different aspects going on during the day, it can be easy to miss something crucial- and having amazing photos is one of the most important bits. To ensure that you capture lasting memories from all parts of the day, take a look at this ultimate wedding photography checklist, and take stunning photos that will be treasured for a lifetime.

A pair of white shoes, a silver ring, and a delicate necklace arranged on a soft surface.

Pre-Wedding Photos

There are lots of photos to take during bridal and groom prep photos, including:

hair and makeup bridal details, on the dress, jewelry and veil
the wedding rings
groom details
groomsmen moments together
venue details

The Ceremony Photos

During the ceremony, there are lots of moments to capture in full:

guests arriving
the arrival of the bridal party, including bridesmaids walking down the aisle, to flower girls and the brides arrival
the groom’s reaction to seeing his bride
moments during the vows- the reactions of the couple and the guests
ring exchange and close ups of them
shots of the first kiss as a married couple

A man and woman stand together outside a building, smiling as part of a wedding group photo.

After the Ceremony Photos

This is the time to get the big wedding group photos, of both the bride and groom with their families and also of the couple away from everyone else. Posed shots are just as important as candid shots here too.

A group of people dancing energetically at a wedding reception, with dim lighting casting some motion blur and colored light trails that create a dynamic atmosphere.

During the Reception Photos

Wedding reception photos of people are just as important as photos of objects during the reception. Make sure to include:

photos of the venue, table decorations, favors and the wedding cake
candid shots of the guests talking and socialising
photos of the speeches and toasts, of the person speaking and also the reactions of the guests
the first dance, including of the couples and also between parents and the bride/groom
cutting of the cake
guests and the couple dancing and enjoying themselves
the bouquet toss

Amidst the glow of a chandelier, people raise their glasses in a celebratory toast indoors, capturing the essence of joy. This moment, immortalized in the final wedding photos, radiates love and happiness.

Final Photos

Final shots of the day should include some of the couple exiting the ceremony, having the last group toast and the reactions of all the guests. If there is an evening ceremony happening, you can also get candid shots of the guests and the bride and groom having fun into the night.

Tips for Taking Great Wedding Photos

Planning and communication are the important keys: make sure you know what all the special moments are going to be, and speak to the couple prior to the wedding to share your shot list.

Be organised: you should be prepared for all eventualities- have a spare camera, battery, memory card, a pen and a paper just in case anything goes wrong.

Be aware: some of the best photo shots on a wedding day are candid moments. Being open to seeing these, as much as the planned moments, is key.

Final thoughts

By following this guide, you will be guaranteed to capture all the magical, joyous and emotional moments of a wedding day. There are lots of things to remember, so organisation is key for a successful shoot, and remember- candid shots are just as important as posed ones!