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Wedding Photography Shot list

Updated: Mar 20

There are so many special wedding moments that you shouldn't miss. You'll want to keep a record of every aspect of the day, including your pre-wedding preparations and the dancing after the ceremony. The majority of photographers have a typical shot list for wedding photography that includes all the essential photos you'll want to have taken. You can ask to view their wedding photography shot list or email them this one if you're unsure of the photos they'll shoot. A shot list of wedding photographs you'd want to have is a terrific way to cover your bases. Of course, the style and quantity of these shots will all rely on the photographer you've picked and how long you've engaged that specialist for.


Getting ready :

Bride:

  • Wedding day outfit or wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost or over a chair

  • Veil, rings, flowers, invitations, jewelry

  • Wedding party and guest of honor getting dressed and applying makeup (if you're going to be wearing makeup)

  • Reading vows alone

  • Parent or other guardian helping to-be-wed with one last detail, such as veil, shoes or zipping up outfit

  • Full-length shot of to-be-wed in outfit looking in mirror

  • Detail shot of clothing, shoes, accessories, and any other special items (something borrowed, something blue, etc)

  • Emotional shot of to-be-wed with parent/s and/or stepparent/s

  • Touching shot of to-be-wed with sibling/s

  • To-be-wed hugging honor attendant or close friend

  • To-be-wed with wedding party

Groom:

  • To-be-wed getting ready with parent and pals (Psst: tying the tie is a classic)

  • Emotional shot of to-be-wed with parent/s and/or stepparent/s

  • Touching shot of to-be-wed with sibling/s

  • To-be-wed with arm around honor attendant (for example, the best man)

  • To-be-wed with wedding party

  • Wedding party putting final touches on outfit (boutonnieres or bowties, for example)

  • Reading vows

  • Drinking ( If they are ) and having fun


Both To-Be-Weds

  • Emotional shots of each to-be-wed talking to/hugging parents and siblings before the ceremony

  • To-be-wed #1 ready to go

  • To-be-wed #2 ready to go

  • Each to-be-wed separately making their way to the ceremony (in a limo backseat, hailing a cab, walking down the street/hall/stairs)

  • First look (if the couple is going to do one)

  • First touch: Holding hands around a building/room corner, Standing back-to-back....

Ceremony:

  • Guests entering the site

  • Ushers escorting guests to their seats

  • Ushers escorting parents to their seats (if applicable)

  • Close-up of to-be-wed #2 waiting for partner

  • Wedding party coming down the aisle

  • Flower girl and/or ring bearer coming down the aisle

  • Honor attendants coming down the aisle

  • Grandparents walking down the aisle (if applicable)

  • Wedding party waiting at the altar

  • To-be-wed #2 coming down the aisle (with or without parents)

  • To-be-wed #1 and Dad/escort/parents (if applicable) walking down the aisle

  • Close-up of to-be-wed #2 just before making entrance

  • Couple at the front (including the officiant)

  • Arch, altar or canopy from the back during ceremony

  • Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from couple's point of view

  • Faces of the couple as they exchange vows

  • Close-up of the couple's hands as they exchange wedding rings

  • The first kiss as a married couple

  • The couple's recessional

  • Couple outside ceremony site

  • Congrats shots: couple hugging, laughing, and crying with friends and family

  • Couple leaving ceremony site

  • Couple in limo backseat

Family Portraits

  • Couple together for portrait

  • Couple looking at each other

  • Couple hugging or kissing

  • To-be-wed #1 with parents and/or stepparents

  • To-be-wed #1 with entire immediate family

  • To-be-wed #2 with parents and/or stepparents

  • To-be-wed #2 with entire immediate family

  • Couple with all parents

  • Couple with immediate family members from both sides

  • Couple with wedding party of to-be-wed #2

  • Couple with wedding party of to-be-wed #1

  • Couple with whole wedding party

Reception :

  • Shot from outside reception venue

  • Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, favors table, and champagne glasses

  • Stationery flat lay

  • Couple arriving to reception

  • Receiving line moments

  • Couple at head table

  • Parents' table

  • Guests' tables

  • Close-up of friends and family making toasts

  • Couple sipping champagne

  • Couple's parents talking to each other during dinner

  • Couple chatting up the guests

  • Detail shot of food

  • Couple's first dance

  • Parents dancing

  • To-be-wed #1 and parent dancing (such as father-daughter dance)

  • To-be-wed #2 and parent dancing (such as mother-son dance)

  • Wedding party dancing

  • Grandparents dancing

  • Kids playing or dancing (if applicable)

  • Musicians or DJ doing their thing

  • Guests going nuts on the dance floor

  • Couple laughing with guests on dance floor

  • Wedding cake (or dessert) table

  • Cake cutting moment

  • Couple feeding each other cake

  • Couple leaving reception

  • Couple waving from vehicle

  • Rear of vehicle departing



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