Share this Checklist of mandatory wedding photos with your photographer to make sure you capture every special moment of your big day.
A wedding is a series of magical moments: exchanging vows with your beloved, dancing with loved ones, laughter of friends… You want to keep these moments in your memory forever. Looking through the wedding photos, it’s as if you are back in that exciting day. That’s why it is so important to think about what moments you want to capture in advance. Make a list of shots that will help you preserve the vivid memories of your wedding.
We have prepared for you a list of photos that should be in every wedding album. But take it as a guideline, not as strict rules. Your wedding photographers are true professionals who know how to capture the most important moments. Trust their intuition, even if some moments didn’t make your list. If the photographer is constantly checking your list, he or she may miss natural and sincere moments, and the photos will look too staged.
Below is the final list of photos for your wedding. Discuss it with your future spouse and your photographer so that it becomes the starting point for your photo shoot. By following these guidelines, you’ll have a wedding album you’ll enjoy revisiting!
Checklist of mandatory wedding photos. Emphasis on detail
The little details are a reflection of your love and the special style of your concept. Be sure to capture them in your photos! From stationery to wedding shoes, every detail is important and creates a unified atmosphere for your event.
- Wedding ring
- Wedding rings
- Ring box
- Wedding invitations
- Wedding vows
- Program of the day
- Photos of the venue
- The morning assembly room
- The bride’s wedding dress hanging on the rack
- Any jewelry such as earrings, bracelets or necklaces
- The bride’s wedding shoes
- Bride’s perfume
- Hair Accessories
- Bridal bouquet
- Groom’s suit or tuxedo
- Breastplate
- Tie or bow tie
- boutonniere
- Cufflinks
- The groom’s shoes
- The groom’s cologne
- Petal baskets
- Any other sentimental items, like a family heirloom.
Checklist of mandatory wedding photos. Photos of the preparation
Don’t forget to capture your pre-wedding emotions, the excitement before the ceremony, and all the people who helped you prepare for this important moment. These photos reflect preparation for the wedding and you in this exciting moment.
- The bride is getting her hair and makeup done
- The bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done
- A photo of the bride and her bridesmaids in their outfits, drinking champagne or just having fun
- The bride gets dressed, and the bride’s mother, maid of honor, bridesmaid or other member of the wedding party assists her
- Parents’ first glance
- Emotional shots of the bride with siblings, friends or parents
- The bride and her guests
- Care process
- Final touches when the groom gathers, such as putting on a tie, cufflinks, or buttoning his shirt
- The groom’s mom attaches the boutonniere.
- The groom is getting ready with the support of his friends
- A group shot of the groom and his friends
- Touching moments between the groom and his parents, brothers, and sisters
Checklist of mandatory wedding photos. Photos of the first meeting
The first meeting is a moment that will forever remain in your heart. Photos should convey all the emotions you will experience when you see each other in your wedding outfits
- The groom is waiting for the bride
- The bride goes to the groom
- The moment of meeting
- The couple’s reaction
- A couple of hugs or kisses after a first look
- The couple looks at each other
- A couple holding hands
- A couple walking next to each other
Checklist of mandatory wedding photos. Photos from the ceremony
The Ceremony is where the magic happens. It is the culmination of the entire day, and the photos should capture all the emotion and excitement of that moment. Here are some key shots that should be in your wedding album:
- Organization of the ceremony without the presence of guests on site
- Close-up of the registration area
- Close-up of floral arrangements along the aisle
- Any other unique floral arrangement or decoration
- Guests are settling into their seats
- The guests sat down
- The couple’s parents walk to the registration area
- The groom walks to the registration area
- The children carry flower petals
- The bride is on her way to the check-in
- The groom’s reaction to the bride
- The father of the bride is giving his daughter in marriage
- A couple standing at the arch in front of the registrar
- General layout of the guests during the ceremony
- The couple exchanges wedding vows
- The couple exchanges rings
- First kiss in marriage
- The moment after the couple kissed
- Guests’ reactions to moments of the ceremony
- The couple leaves the site of the ceremony
Portraits and group photos
After you’ve exchanged vows, and guests have been invited to the Welcome area, it’s time for the newlywed photo session and shots with your nearest and dearest:
- A couple posing together
- A couple hugs or kisses each other
- The couple looks at each other
- A couple walks holding hands
- A couple looking at a sunset or a beautiful view
- The bride and her parents
- The bride with her next of kin
- The groom and his parents
- The groom and his immediate family
- A couple with both pairs of parents
- Couple with next of kin on both sides
- The bride and her bridesmaids
- The groom and his friends
- The couple is in full force with the entire wedding party
Photos from the banquet part
After the ceremony and group photos are complete, you can finally relax and celebrate! Let your photographer capture every moment of your celebration
- The appearance of your event venue
- seating plan
- Guestbook
- Bar
- Rest area, if included
- General plan of the hall
- Presidium
- Guest tables
- Close-ups of compositions and numbers on tables
- Dance floor space
- Cake and any other desserts
- The couple enters the banquet hall
- First dance
- A couple sitting at the podium
- A close-up of the food
- A couple and their guests are having dinner
- Friends and family members make toasts
- The couple listens to speeches and toasts
- The couple is socializing with guests
- A father-daughter dance
- Mother and son dance
- Cutting the cake
- Changes in clothing
- Host and contests
- Cover band or DJ
- Guests on the dance floor
- A couple dancing with guests
- The bride and groom dance with each other.
- A couple walks out of a restaurant
- The couple’s car drives off