The must-have Wedding Shot list

Your Wedding Photographer will be working hard to capture every moment of your big day. But it isn’t just a case of snapping everything that goes on. There is a lot of planning that goes into Wedding Photography, and is something that you should definitely get involved in too!

Your photographer will likely work through capturing a specific shot list. There might be some shots that are very important to you, and some that you’re not too bothered about – this is key direction to give to your photographer to ensure you’re getting the service that you want.

If you need to get yourself familiar with these types of photos, here’s a quick run-down of some of the key “must have” wedding shots.

Accessories

One that can often be overlooked at first, but a really nice addition. Many couples really love having these little details as part of their final photo selection. We’re talking close up shots of the accessories here, also known as details shots or flatlays – this will include a shot of: the rings, the brides shoes, the grooms shoes, , the veil, the bouquet, the grooms boutonniere, the brides jewellery, the grooms cufflinks and the grooms watch.

Getting Ready shots

One of my personal favourites. Documenting all of the moments that lead up to the finished look of both the bride and groom really are a must-have. A lot of preparation goes into getting both parties ready, and all of the emotions and excitement during this part of the day will really come through in the getting ready shots.

Parent / Couple moment

Seeing their son or daughter in their wedding attire is going to be a special moment for the parents of the couple – and this makes for great, emotive photographs. These shots can either be emotions such as smiles, hugs or candid moments between them, or the parents can assist the bride / groom with their wedding attire, such as the mother helping the bride with her veil, and the father helping the groom with his tie.

Bridal Party + Groomsmen

You have to get some good shots of your tribe! Shots of the bride with her bridal party and the groom with his groomsmen are best captured just after getting ready and right before the ceremony – everyone looks amazing and the energy is incredible. The general portraits are a must have, but why not think about some funny or silly shots, perhaps a jump in the air or some poses inspired by the couples favourite film.

The little ones

Some of the most precious photos that come out of weddings. Children really do bring another dimension of love and energy to weddings, and capturing this as authentically as possible makes for great wedding photography. Make sure your photographer is building in those photo-ops for the happy couple to get some shots with the little ones that are present, and is working to get some candid shots of the little ones too.

The Venues

Wedding Photography tells a story, and the venues are a key part of setting the scene. Photos of the Ceremony venue and the Reception venue before everyone has arrived are a good one to consider on your must have list. After all, you’ve probably waited a long time and invested a fair bit of money for your wedding venues, you definitely want to capture some high quality photos of where the magic happened!

Walking down the aisle

The big reveal! Not only have we got the brides walk down the aisle, but at many weddings, this is also where the groom sees the bride for the first time. The brides walk with her father or family member down the aisle along with the grooms reaction to seeing the bride, are photos that you’ll hold dearly for the rest of your life.

Ring Exchange and Vow Exchange

A moment you’ll treasure forever – and an essential in your shot list. This is where the couple makes their ceremonial bond and promise to continue their life as one. It’s a very touching moment for the bride, groom as well as for everyone watching. Shots of the exchanging of the rings, exchanging of the vows and all of the emotions and reactions that come with it are a 100% must have!

Confetti Exit

The couple are married and now it’s time to make their exit from the church down the aisle. Lots of cheering, clapping, celebrations and smiles, coupled with streams of falling confetti over the newlyweds – a fantastic moment to capture from your Wedding Day.

Family Portraits

A crucial one for everyone! Not only are the couple going to want photos with their key family members and loved ones, but everyone involved is also going to want their photos with the couple, so that they can treasure these moments forever too. Make sure you’re getting all of the family portraits, with all of the different combinations of people, that you want at your big day – after all, it only happens once!

Couple portraits

The top one for most couples and families. Some beautiful portraits of the couple, sharing some sweet moments together, are going to produce some of the best photos from your wedding. These are the photos that everyone will love and treasure, and are the sorts of photos that are passed down through generations. These photos are also typically done away from everyone else, it’s just the couple and the photographer, so it’s a nice intimate setting to capture some really emotive photographs.

Cocktail Hour

A great one to get some candid shots. While all the guests are mingling, perhaps enjoying a few drinks and canopes, your photographer can get some really nice shots of your guests, the interactions that are taking place and the joyous energy that fills the room at this time.

Cake

Some signature shots of your beautiful wedding cake before it gets cut into is another nice detail to add to your wedding photographs. Your wedding cake supplier will no doubt have crafted intricate designs and patterns on your cake, and you’ll want to see that in all its glory. Then, finish this off with some shots of the bride and groom cutting the cake, along with the reactions of the crowd.

Speeches

This one is a tear-jerker! The speeches are fantastic for getting nice portraits of the people giving the speeches, but the best part in my opinion, is the reactions from the rest of the room. If you’re going for speeches shots, make sure your photographer is waiting, staying alert and capturing those raw, emotive reactions to the speeches as they happen. It’s a beautiful one to add to your photo selection.

First Dance

Another big moment during the wedding – the bride and groom share their first dance as a married couple, and it also marks the start of the dancefloor opening for the latter part of the reception. A great opportunity to get some fun and charismatic shots of the happy couple as they dance as newlyweds infront of their friends, family and loved ones.

Dancing at the Reception

This is where some of the best photos can come from Wedding Photography. Everyone has gotten through the key parts of the day, now is time to celebrate, let loose and let that hair down! This part of the day will produce lots of fun, energetic, humorous and wholesome photos of everyone at your wedding, and you do want to let your photographer have freedom and flexibility to capture as many of these moments as they possibly can.