Wedding Photo Checklist

After you've decided on the style of wedding photography that you prefer (casual, candid, staged, formal or a combination) you will need to choose which shots you would like taken. The guide below may help you in that decision. Included are shots and poses which apply no matter what your setting is as well as shots and poses that are specific to particular settings. Many of these shots can be formal or casual.
Make sure you allow the photographer plenty of time to take all of the shots that you would like taken. In order to make it easier, you can print out the list, check the photos you want and show it to your photographer. A good photographer will probably have a list they like to work from so make sure you coordinate

Prior to the Wedding

_______Engagement photo for newspaper
_______Formal engagement photo
_______Casual engagement photo

Prior to the Ceremony

_______Bride dressing with help of Mother
_______Bride dressing with help of attendants
_______Bride alone, full body shot
_______Bride looking into full-length mirror
_______Bride alone, 3/4 view
_______Bride alone, head and shoulders shot
_______Bride looking into mirror, head and shoulders shot
_______Groom dressing with help of Father
_______Groom dressing with help of attendants
_______Groom alone, full body shot
_______Groom looking into full-length mirror
_______Groom alone, 3/4 view
_______Groom alone, head and shoulders shot
_______Groom looking into mirror, head and shoulders shot
_______Maid/Matron of Honor placing garter on bride
_______Mother adjusting Bride's veil
_______Bride showing something new, something borrowed and something blue
_______Bride with each of her attendants
_______Groom with each of his attendants
_______Bride with Maid/Matron/Man of Honor
_______Groom with Best Man/Maid
_______Bride with Flower Girl/s
_______Groom with Ring-Bearer
_______Bride and Groom with entire wedding party
_______Bride with mother
_______Bride with father
_______Bride with mother and father
_______Bride with grandparents
_______Groom with mother
_______Groom with father
_______Groom with grandparents
_______Father kissing Bride
_______Mother kissing Groom
_______Bride pinning boutonniere on Father
_______Groom pinning boutonniere on Father
_______Bride putting corsage on Mother
_______Groom putting corsage on Mother
_______Bride placing penny/sixpence in her shoe
_______Groom shining his shoes
_______Bride giving ring to Maid/Matron/Man of Honor
_______Groom giving ring to Best Man/Maid
_______Bride profile
_______Groom profile
_______Bride looking out the window
_______Groom looking out the window
_______Individual portrait of each person in wedding party
_______Bride giving bouquets/boutonnieres to her attendants
_______Groom giving bouquets/boutonnieres to his attendants
_______Bride in mirror, finishing touches
_______Groom in mirror, finishing touches
_______Bride leaving for wedding
_______Groom leaving for wedding
_______Mother and father waving at Bride
_______Mother and father waving at groom
_______Mother and/or Father of Bride wiping tears
_______Mother and/or Father of Groom wiping tears
_______Bride arriving at ceremony site
_______Groom arriving at ceremony site
_______Best Man/Maid wiping Groom's brow
_______Maid/Matron/Man of Honor wiping Bride's brow
_______Best Man/Maid pulling Groom into church/site
_______Maid/Matron/Man of Honor pulling Bride into church/site
_______Picture of Bride entering church/site
_______Picture of Groom entering church/site
_______Picture of church/site

Ceremony Photos

_______Usher/Groomsmen seating Mother and/or Father of Bride
_______Usher/Groomsmen seating Mother and Father of Groom
_______Usher/Groomsmen seating Bride's Grandparents
_______Usher/Groomsmen seating Groom's grandparents
_______Photo of Musician/s(Organist, Soloist, etc.)
_______Photo of Officiant
_______Groom and his attendants waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle
_______Bride with her attendants and Escort, about to enter
_______Flower girl and ringbearer coming down aisle
_______Bridesmaids/Bridesmen coming down the aisle
_______Maid/Matron/Man of Honor coming down the aisle
_______Bride walking down the aisle with Escort
_______Back view (train) of Bride walking down the aisle
_______Photo of moment that Bride and Groom meet at altar
_______Photo of entire wedding party at altar
_______Close-up of Bride, Groom and Officiant
_______Photo of wedding from distance (back of church/site)
_______Mother of Groom and Mother of Bride lighting unity candle
_______Bride and Groom lighting unity candle
_______Medallion ceremony
_______Hands ceremony
_______Additional Ceremonies(Communion, etc.)
_______Groom placing ring on Bride's finger
_______Bride placing ring on Groom's finger
_______First kiss as man and wife
_______Receiving line
_______Guests throwing rice/birdseed
_______Guest blowing bubbles
_______Couple leaving for reception
_______Parents of couple leaving for reception
_______Grandparents of couple leaving for reception
_______Special guests leaving for reception

The Reception and After

_______Photo of Reception site, exterior
_______Photo of Reception site, interior
_______Photo of Wedding cake
_______Photo of Bride's cake
_______Photo of Groom's cake
_______Photo of Buffet/Food table
_______Photo of Head Table
_______Bride and Groom slicing cake
_______Bride feeding cake to Groom
_______Groom feeding cake to Bride
_______Couple feeding cake to each other
_______Couple toasting each other
_______Witnesses signing marriage license
_______Food/Punch servers
_______Reception decorations
_______The Couple's first dance
_______Groom dancing with Mother
_______Bride dancing with Father
_______Groom dancing with Mother-in-Law
_______Bride dancing with Father-in-Law
_______Attendants' dancing
_______Parents' of Couple dancing
_______Misc. Guests dancing
_______Bouquet toss
_______Groom taking garter off Bride
_______Garter toss
_______Girl/Woman catching bouquet
_______Boy/Man catching garter
_______Boy/Man putting Garter on Girl/Woman
_______Best Man's toast
_______Other Attendants' toasts
_______Toasts from Parents' of couple
_______Photo of entertainment (DJ, Musician, etc.)
_______Centerpieces/Tables
_______Food being served/eaten
_______Bride mingling with guests
_______Groom mingling with guests
_______Bride and Groom mingling with guests
_______Bride with her Parents
_______Groom with his Parents
_______Bride and Groom with both sets of Parents
_______Groom, Father, Grandfather, Son (generational photo)
_______Bride, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter (generational photo)
_______Bride and Groom with both sets of Grandparents
_______Bride and Groom with various Guests
_______Bride and Groom with special Guests
_______Candid photos of Bride and Groom
_______Candid photos of Guests
_______Apron/Money dance
_______Release of butterflies
_______Release of birds
_______Bubble-blowing shots
_______Petal throwing shots
_______Birdseed/Rice throwing shots
_______College friends
_______Work Associates
_______Close-up of Groom's hand (ring) under Bride's hand(ring)
_______Outdoor Couple poses
_______Decorating of "Get-away" car
_______Couple kissing
_______Photo of Invitation and Bouquet
_______Photo of bow tie, Invitation and Boutonniere
_______Gift table
_______Couple opening gifts
_______Bride and Groom saying goodbye to guests
_______Couple kissing/hugging Parent's
_______Bride and Groom walking to decorated car
_______Couple waving to guests
_______Couple getting into decorated car
_______Couple leaving in car
_______Couple getting on plane for Honeymoon
_______Reception site. cleaning up
_______Bride's father with empty pockets
_______Mothers' carrying gifts to car
_______Groom's mother kissing photo of Groom
_______Bride's mother kissing photo of Bride
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________
_______Other Photos: _______________________________