Beyond your memories of your special day, you will want to capture and look back at those special moments from time to time. Here is a list of shots that you should ask your photographer to take for your wedding ceremony and reception:

Bride’s Pre-ceremony Shots:

  • Shots of bridal party preparing for the wedding
    • Bridal party putting on make-up
    • Bride’s dress hanging
    • Bride’s shoes, accessories, garter
    • Placement of the garter
    • Putting on the veil
  • Bride completely ready
  • Bride w/parents
  • Bride w/mother
  • Bride w/father

Groom’s Pre-ceremony Shots:

  • Shots of groom and groomsmen getting dressed
  • Groom completely ready
  • Groom w/parents
  • Groom w/mother
  • Groom w/father

Wedding Party Shots:

  • Bride w/each bridesmaid individually
  • Bride w/all bridesmaids
  • Bride w/all bridesmaids & flower girl
  • Bride w/all bridesmaids & ring bearer
  • Bride w/all bridesmaids, flower girl & ring bearer
  • Ring bearer and flower girl together
  • Groom w/each groomsman individually
  • Groom w/all groomsmen
  • Groom w/all groomsmen & ring bearer
  • Groom w/ring bearer
  • Bride & groomsmen
  • Groom & bridesmaids
  • Bride & Groom w/flower girl & ring bearer
  • Entire bridal party

Family shots:

  • Bride & Groom w/Bride’s parents
  • Bride & Groom w/Bride’s immediate family
  • Bride & Groom w/Bride’s grandparents
  • Bride & Groom w/Bride’s extended family
  • Bride & Groom w/Groom’s parents
  • Bride & Groom w/Groom’s immediate family
  • Bride & Groom w/Groom’s grandparents
  • Bride & Groom w/Groom’s extended family
  • Bride & Groom w/both sets of parents
  • Any additional family shots

Wedding Ceremony Shots:

  • Shot of church/ceremony site pre-ceremony
  • Seating of parents & grandparents
  • Members of the bridal party entering
  • Bride walking into the ceremony
  • Groom when sees the bride walking into the ceremony
  • Mother’s doing unity candle (if applicable)
  • Various shots during the ceremony
  • Bride & Groom’s vows, rings & kiss

Reception shots:

  • Various shots of reception set-up (location, location sign, table set ups, centerpieces, favors, sign-in, gift table, cakes)
  • Presentation of Bride & Groom (and bridal party if applicable)
  • Guest tables
  • First dance
  • Any family dances
  • Bride & Groom’s rings
  • Toasting
  • Cake cutting
  • Dollar dance
  • Bouquet toss & garter removal
  • Candid shots of guests
  • Couple’s last dance
  • Couple’s exit

There are just suggestions and you should definitely sit down with your photographer and let them know what is important to you for your big day. That way he/she will be better prepared to take the shots you want!