The Ultimate Wedding Photography List

After months of planning your gorgeous wedding and choosing the PERFECT suppliers to capture your special day, you want to ensure that your photographer and videographer have as much intel as possible to be able to shoot every magical moment. The best way to achieve this is to fully brief them with an in-depth running order and shot list which is essentially a detailed checklist of all the things you would like recording on your special day.

It’s also a good idea to include some example images that you like the style of, whether that’s specific angles, locations or moments together so get scrolling through Pinterest and supplier portfolios to pick out some example images to further illustrate what you have in mind.

We are often asked what to include on a wedding photography shot list and while ultimately it’s up to you as every wedding is SOOO different, here is a comprehensive starter for ten to prompt your ideas for your own big day!

Getting Ready Details

These are often some of the most intimate, relaxed images of the day, getting ready with your nearest and dearest loved ones is such a special time you’e want to remember forever!

Bride

  • Your Invitations

  • The Bridal Suite

  • The Rings (be sure you have some beautiful ring boxes)

  • The Dress (from all the angles!)

  • The Veil

  • Wedding Shoes

  • Bride’s Jewellery & Hair Accessories

  • Sentimental items, such as an heirlooms and gifts

  • Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

  • Bride’s Bouquet

  • Bridesmaids Dresses & Accessories

  • Bridesmaid Gifts

  • Bridesmaid Bouquets

  • Flower Girl Dresses & Accessories

  • Bridal Party Corsages

Groom

  • The Groom’s Suit

  • The Groom’s Accessories e.g. cufflinks, tie/bow tie, pocket square

  • The Groom’s Shoes

  • The Buttonholes

  • The Usher’s suits

  • The Usher’s Accessories

Getting Ready Photos

TOP TIP: Don’t forget to point out any key things you would like your photographer to bear in mind e.g. if you have a preferred angle or any guests who are camera shy and would rather not be photographed.

Bride

  • Bride hair and makeup

  • Bridesmaids hair and makeup

  • Candid shots of the Bride & Bridesmaids having fun! Getting ready together in pjs/robes, drinking champagne.

  • Bride & Maid of Honour

  • Bride & Bridesmaids

  • The Bride getting into her dress with another wedding party member providing assistance e.g. doing up the back, adjusting the veil

  • Bride in her Wedding Dress - front, side and back.

  • The Bridal Party or Family Dress Reveal

  • Bride with siblings / friends / parents

Groom

  • Groom putting on his shirt, cufflinks, tie/bow tie, buttonhole

  • The Groom in his suit

  • Groom and Best Man

  • Group shots of the groom and his ushers having fun getting ready

  • Special moments with the groom, his family, siblings and groomsmen

Sneak Peek

An increasingly popular idea is hidden first look photos where the bride and groom meet (without the groom seeing the bride) before the ceremony such as holding hands either side of a doorway or corner or the bride in the foreground and the groom facing away. Pinterest has lots of examples….

Ceremony

The big moment is finally here, imaging yourself arriving and walk your photographer through all the moments in your order of service.

  • Overall shots of your ceremony space before guests arrive (exterior & interior)

  • Welcome Signage

  • Ceremony Decor

  • Ceremony Signage

  • The Order of Service

  • Ceremony special details and perfect touches e.g. happy tears tissues, fans, hanker-chiefs, confetti cones

  • Guest arrival and seating

  • The groom and ushers walking down the aisle

  • The groom and ushers waiting for the bridal party

  • The wedding party walking down the aisle

  • The flower girls/page boys/ ring bearers walking down the aisle

  • Bride and Bridal Party Arrival

  • The bride walking down the aisle

  • The groom’s reaction to the bride (our fave moment of any wedding!)

  • Family member giving bride away

  • The couple standing at the altar in front of their officiant (both sides, we always recommend hiring a photography pair/team so you get the dress from the front and back)

  • Readings

  • Hymms/Songs

  • Musicians

  • Bride & Groom exchanging wedding vows

  • Bride & Groom exchanging the rings

  • The Bride & Groom signing the register

  • The Bride & Groom’s first kiss! (eek)

  • The newlyweds walking down the aisle

  • Receiving Line

  • Confetti shots

  • Bridal party & family special moments

  • Newlyweds leaving is special vehicle

Group Photos

We’re a huge fan of candid photos, however it’s important to list any key family members you would like photos with on the day. These shots are usually taken during the drinks reception allowing everyone to disperse and relax into the day.

  • The new Mr & Mrs in all key venue locations

  • Couple photos: kissing, looking into each other’s eyes, walking, holding hands

  • The bride and groom with key family members e.g. parents, siblings, grandparents, close relatives (it’s up to you which groups of family you want photographed together. tailor this based on your family)

  • The bride and groom with friends

  • The bride, maid of honour, and bridesmaids

  • The groom, best man & groomsmen

  • The bride and groom with the full wedding party (this is a great shot to mix up and do some quirky things like fun, silly poses, sparklers, smoke cannons, lifting the newlyweds in the air etc…)

Wedding Reception Details

As a wedding planner and stylist, we KNOW the amount of time, thought, hard work and money that goes into the stunning details of your day and none more so, that your wedding reception decor… be sure to list all the magical details on your event plan - highlighting key timings of special moments such as the first dance, cake cutting, guest book, signage, custom cocktails, favours etc….

  • Overall shots of your reception venue (from all the angles - exterior & interior)

  • Bar and Welcome Drinks

  • Reception Signage

  • Top Table

  • Ceremony Tables

  • Floral Centrepieces

  • Table Decor & Place settings with charger plates, glassware, cutlery etc…

  • Table Numbers, Place Cards & Menus (including Bride & Groom’s place settings)

  • Table Plan

  • Guest Book

  • The Cake

  • Dessert Table

  • Guests mingling at drinks reception

  • The newlyweds reception entrance

  • Guest Reactions

  • Musicians

  • Close up shots of the food (canapés, starters, mains, desserts)

  • Speeches and couple/guest reactions

  • Couple shots at golden hour

  • Any outfit changes

  • The First Dance

  • Family Dances

  • Cutting the Cake

  • Musical Entertainment

  • All the dancing and having fun!

  • Evening showstoppers (e.g. fireworks, sparklers…)

  • Evening food

  • Photo opportunities & backdrops

Things to Consider

It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t expect to see EVERY item on your list come back as a perfect album image, allow your photographers and videographers some artistic license as they are subject to the timings and flow of your day, not to mention the actions of you, your wedding squad and your guests and will need to make executive decisions as to what looks best and how best to capture as much as possible during the timeframe of the celebrations.

Photographers and videographers are also not responsible for any missed coverage, adverse conditions or restrictions on the day so try and be realistic with your timings and what you have chosen to include, for instance a photography duo will be able to capture far more than a single photographer. Likewise if you’re getting married at 12pm you’ll have more time for photos than a late afternoon ceremony.

Prioritise the images most important to you and have THE BEST DAY! Some moments are meant to be lived in the moment!

Anna Stevenson