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Wedding Checklist

Exterior Shot of Venue

  • Empty shot of location Bride/Groom are getting ready
  • Ceremony Venue
  • Reception Venue (Can be the sign out front if not ideal)

Details/Setting Shots

  • Photogenic details of the scenery/architecture/clouds/greenery
  • Shots of details not planned by the couple/wedding team but are a part of the permanent setting (should not include people)

Bridal Suite

  • Group bridesmaids shot (before dressed, especially in matching attire)
  • Wide room shot during getting ready time
  • Makeup/hair shot of some of the girls and the bride if timeline allows candids of getting ready
  • Bride's Dress
  • Bride's Veil
  • Getting in the dress: Wide (full length vertical), close up, with mom, and with some bridesmaids
  • All bridesmaids helping with a "getting in the dress" event, organized by photographer
  • Bride with mom (maybe helping with earrings, necklace, the final zip of the dress, just something with only mom, if they have a close bond and it feels appropriate
  • Just the bride putting on earrings by herself! (sometimes this is fake, just to get the shot!)
  • Bridal Portrait of just the bride in the bridal suite if possible! (Takes pressure off of getting it later if things are rushed!)

 

Bridal Detail Shots

  • Jewelry (all three rings)
  • Invitation Suite
  • Other paper goods such as the program menu
  • Perfume
  • Shoes
  • Anything old/heirloom/borrowed
  • Hairpieces
  • Additional Bride requests
  • Bridesmaids dresses if this shot is a priority for the Bride
  • Custom hanger (if there is one)
  • Flowers if they are there in time

 

Groomsmen Suite

  • Candids of guys getting dressed
  • Groom getting dressed with best man or dad helping him
  • Close up of groom buttoning sleeve/cufflinks and adjusting tie
  • Groom portrait in chair (smiling and modeling shot)
  • Toasting or cheers shot if opportunity presents itself

 

Groomsmen Detail Shots

  • Tie or Bowtie

  • Groom's shoes
  • Cufflinks if possible
  • Any special alcohol
  • Watch
  • Belt
  • Specialty socks

 

First Look

  • Walking shot of the bride to the groom (full length)
  • Groom's reaction
  • Bride's reaction
  • Closer up intimate/emotional shot

 

Portraits of Bride/Groom (after first look)

  • Traditional portraits: both looking at the camera smiling, arms around the back, bouquet at waist, Groom’s hand in the pocket, both full body and cropped at the waist, (horizontal and vertical).
  • Forehead to forehead (horizontal and vertical, tight and full body)
  • Light kiss and smiling afterwards
  • One nuzzle shot
  • Flowy veil shot if possible
  • Walking shot
  • Bridal portrait
  • Groom portrait

The goal of these first portraits is to capture the must haves and the
most expected portraits first thing, so that I can be creative the rest of the
day with the bride and groom.**

 

Bridal Party Shots

Full Group Shots
  • Guys on one side, girls on other side
  • Intermingled formal shot smiling at camera (vertical and horizontal) laughing at one another
  • Model shot
  • Walking/spread out a little (vertical and horizontal)
  • Extra: Staged sitting shot with a few chairs if time allows

 

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