Must-Take Photo List
Getting Ready
· Bride having her hair styled and makeup applied
· Bride’s gown hanging on a padded hanger, spread on the bed, hanging in front of a window, or draped over a chair
· Bridesmaids’ dresses with the bride’s dress
· Still life shots of the bride’s accessories-- shoes, jewelry, hair flower, garters
· Still life shots of bride’s something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue
· Detailed shot of bride’s custom wedding dress label
· Detailed shots of the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets
· Detailed shot of bride’s wedding ring in bouquet/flower
· Bride putting on earrings
· Candid shots of the bridesmaids getting dressed
· Mother/bridesmaids buttoning or zipping up the bride’s dress
· Mother helping the bride with one last detail, such as the veil
· Full-length shot of the bride in her gown, looking at herself in a mirror
· Bridesmaids reacting to the bride in her gown
· Bride with her bridesmaids
· Groom getting ready with his groomsmen
· Groom opening bride’s gift
· Detailed shot of groom’s cufflinks
· Close-up shot of the wedding bands
· Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or ties
· Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony
Ceremony
· Exterior and interior shots of the site before guests arrive
· Interior shot of cocktail hour space before guests arrive
· Pulled back shot of the ceremony space, looking up the aisle towards the fireplace
· Shots of the fireplace and fireplace mantle
· Shots of the aisle decorations and moss-covered letters, candles, topiaries on fireplace mantle
· Detailed shots of the program box
· Detailed shots of the ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket
· Shots of attendants handing programs to guests
· Close-up of groom’s expression while waiting for the bride
· Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
· Grandparents walking down the aisle
· Bride and her escorts waiting to walk down the aisle
· Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
· Bride and her escorts walking down the aisle
· Groom reacting to bride walking down the aisle
· Bride and groom at the altar or the chuppah
· Both sets of parents watching the ceremony
· Wide shot of the altar or chuppah, from the guests’ point of view
· Wide shot of the guests, from the couple’s point of view
· Special moments, such as the candle lighting and the readings
· Close-up of the bride and groom as they recite their vows
· Close-up of the bride and groom’s hands as they exchange rings
· The kiss
· Close-up of the newlyweds immediately after the ceremony
· Bride and groom hugging family and friends
· Bride and groom signing marriage license
Cocktail Hour/Reception
· Wide shot of cocktail hour with guests (inside and outside on deck, weather permitting)
· Hors d’oeuvres
· Guests at cocktail hour
· Still life shots of cocktail hour decorations—centerpieces, fireplace mantle
· Guests arriving and signing the guest book
· Shot of the gift table
· Still-life and detailed shots of the card box
· Guests enjoying the photo booth
· Bride and groom at the photo booth
· Escort card table
· Still-life and detailed shot of escort cards and photos on escort card table
· Pulled back shot of the empty reception room from the head table
· Pulled back shot of the empty reception room from the entrance
· Still-life and detailed shots of table name cards, menus, bar menus, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, favors, and bride and groom’s toasting flutes
· The head table
· The cake and cake table
· Detailed shots of the cake cutting set and cake topper
· Receiving line
· Bridal party entrance
· Bride and groom entrance
· Close-ups of those giving toasts
· Bride and groom sipping champagne at their table
· Bride and groom speaking with guests
· Bride and groom’s first dance
· Bride dancing with her father
· Groom dancing with his mother
· Parents and grandparents dancing
· Guests dancing to anniversary song
· Musicians, deejay, and/or entertainers performing
· Guests dancing
· Bride and groom dancing with guests
· Bride and groom cutting the cake
· Bouquet toss
· Garter removal and toss