A camera and just the right amount of light will tell your love story for years to come. When planning your wedding, it’s important to communicate to your photographer(s) the memories you want captured on your special day. Below is a list of traditional wedding photo opportunities you won’t want your photographer(s) to miss.
Before the Ceremony
· Bride getting hair and makeup done
· Bridal gown, shoes and jewelry
· Bride getting dressed with bridesmaids
· The fastening of the wedding dress
· Bride looking into a full-length mirror after getting dressed
· Reactions of family and friends seeing the bride in her dress
· The wedding bouquets
· Bride with parents and siblings
· Bride with bridesmaids
· Groom getting ready
· The rings
· Groom with his parents and siblings
· Groom with his groomsmen
· Groom and groomsmen putting on/adjusting boutonnieres and ties
During the Ceremony
· Exterior and interior shots of the church
· Groom walking down the aisle with his mother
· Groom’s face while waiting for the bride
· Groom’s face when he first sees the bride walking down the aisle
· Bride walking down the aisle
· Grandparents and parents walking down the aisle
· Flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle
· Maid of honor and bridesmaids walking down the aisle
· A close up shot of bride before making her entrance
· Shots of bride walking down the aisle with her escort
· Shots of escort “giving away” bride
· A shot of the alter from the guests’ perspective
· A shot of the guests from the alter
· Special ceremony moments, like the lighting of candles
· Shots of bride and groom reciting vows
· A close-up shot of bride and groom exchanging rings
· The kiss
· The announcement of “man and wife”
· Bride and groom exiting the ceremony
· Bride and groom greeting guests
· Bride and groom getting into the car and leaving the ceremony
Before the Reception
· Bride and groom
· Bride and her mother
· Bride and her father
· Bride with both parents
· Bride with her immediate family
· Groom with his mother
· Groom with his father
· Groom with both parents
· Groom with his immediate family
· Bride and groom with her family
· Bride and groom with his family
· Bride and groom with both sets of parents
· Bride and groom with immediate families
· Bride with bridesmaids
· Groom with groomsmen
· Bride with flower girl and ring bearer
· Bride and groom with wedding party
The Reception
· Shots of guests arriving
· The place cards, menus, flowers, decorations, champagne glasses and cake
· Bride and groom arriving
· The toasts
· The first dance
· Bride and her father dancing
· Groom and his mother dancing
· The wedding party and guests dancing
· The cutting of the cake
· The bouquet toss
· The getaway vehicle
· Bride and groom leaving the reception
Fun Extras
In addition to the traditional shots listed above, make sure to add some unique photos that capture you and your groom’s personalities. Some unique shots, like jumping in sync, can be planned. Others, you’ll want to encourage the photographer(s) to capture as unplanned and special moments occur.