Make Your Wedding Photo List Uniquely Yours

Having trouble selecting your photo shot list? Not sure where to start?

Take a moment to visualize your wedding.

What moments do you want to remember 5 years from now?

What types of pictures do you want to have 10 years from now?

When in doubt, asking your photographer for advice is always best. After all, they are the expert in this field! A good photographer will take time during a meeting to get to know you and your partner as a couple. They will have insight into what poses turn into the best photographs, but they will also capture your unique personality in the shoot.

If you're still looking for more ideas, check out our ultimate list of photo shoot ideas. From traditional to non-traditional, we hope you find inspiration to build your unique list!

Getting Ready	Decor/ Details
Bride(s) and bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done Mimosa/ Coffee toast with bridesmaids Father's first look with the bride Groom/ groomsmen getting ready (best if you have 2 photographers or if the wedding party is getting ready at the same location) Mother and bride/groom portraits Father and bride/groom portraits	Invitations/ Invitations with rings Program, special signs, & gifts Wedding rings/ Weddings rings with bouquet Wedding dresses/suits Outfit accessories: shoes, cuff links, tie/ bowtie, or jewelry Bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres Ceremony decorations Reception decorations Centerpieces Special tables

​Ceremony

Group Shots and Family Photos

Venue shots i(ceremony location, flowers, interior, and exterior details) Groom and groomsmen waiting at venue Guests arriving Bridal party entrance Bride walking down the aisle Groom's reaction Father/mother giving the bride away Exchanging vows Exchanging the rings The first kiss The first kiss with guests in the background (for a unique twist, have the photographer stand at the front to capture the first kiss with the guests looking at the couple.) Signing the marriage certificate The recessional

Make a list of all the family and friends you will want a special photo with. Not every guest has to be included in the group shot. However, many couples today like to start with one big group photo before dismissing guests to the cocktail or reception while close family and the bridal party stay for group photos.

Pro Tip: Once the wedding party photos are taken, you can dismiss your bridesmaids and groomsmen to join the other guests. This allows time for bride and groom photos as well as a rare moment where you can enjoy this time as a newly married couple!

Reception

Details and room décor shots, including table settings, place cards, favors, centerpieces, etc. (if not done earlier in the day) Wedding cake/ Dessert Table Grand entrance Toasts and speeches Cake cutting First dance

Special dances (father/daughter, mother/ son/ anniversary dance/ etc.) Bouquet/ garter toss Bride/ Groom dancing with guests Couple mingling with guests Table shots of guests sitting and socializing Guests dancing Musicians, Bands, DJs Grand exit

Advice From Real Brides

We asked real brides about their favorite wedding photos and the ones they wished they had. Here's what they said!

• Table decorations! I made our centerpieces but I don't have any close-up (stylized) pictures of them.

• Memory table. We had a table of our past loved ones (grandparents) but as we went through our wedding pictures, no one had a picture of the table.

• My favorites are the candids of my nieces and nephews. Those really bring me back to the wedding day.

• Silly photos! Our photographer was great, but looking back, I wish we had some fun pictures taken.

• A picture of me getting ready with my cousin. I took a selfie of us, but no one ever took any family pictures.

• More candids. Those are the moments worth remembering.

• Individual pictures with my bridesmaids.

• Candids! Posed photos are nice, but my favorites are the candid ones of us goofing off around the reception with our siblings.

• We had our photographer take one of all the little kids at the wedding. It's fun to look back and see how small they all were.

What are your thoughts? Brides, what photos are you including on your shot list? Former brides, what photos do you wish you had?