Today I wanted to chat about shot lists for your wedding! We have many people who ask about this, and so I wanted to do a thorough email about how this works and the typical photos that we do.
To start, I’d like to emphasize that in order for a shot list to work well, you MUST MUST MUST discuss these with your wedding photographer in your pre-wedding consult, typically a week or two before your wedding.
Please do not email a big list to your photographer an hour before your wedding, as this can throw us into total panic mode.
Reason being…. (for me at least!!!) is that I am a photojournalistic type photographer. That means I capture events as they unfold…. in a candid and natural way. We can help design moments and put them in your timeline (like for instance, a first-look with your dad before your wedding ceremony) but if you send us a huge list of random shots that must be gotten without first designing the day to meet these needs… it really can mess up the flow and order of your day. There must be adequate time in your timeline to allow us to set up the photos on your list, otherwise we cannot guarantee we can get them all.
With that being said, here is a list of photos that can tentatively be gotten on your day… Let’s chat about them at your consult! 🙂
Detail photos **before** getting ready photos:
Wedding Stationery (save-the-date, wedding invitation)
Engagement Ring and Wedding Rings
Personal Wedding Flowers (bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres)- depending on timeline, can either be laid in an arrangement or if there’s not time for that, photographed pinned to groom or bride holding flowers
Wedding Dress hanging up (please have dress unpackaged, steamed (if needed) and hanging up with a pretty hanger)
Bridesmaids’ Dresses (bridesmaids dresses must be unpackaged, steamed (if needed) and hanging)
Wedding Dress with Bridesmaids’ Dresses ^^ same as above
Bridesmaids’ or Groomsmen gifts, or mothers/fathers/bride/groom gifts – must be unpackaged put out together where photographer can find them 😊
Gift for the Bride – If applicable, and would you like photos of each person opening gifts and/or cards?
Gift for the Groom – If applicable, and would you like photos of each person opening gifts and/or cards?
Vow Books (if applicable)
Groom’s Attire (if groom isn’t already dressed, must be unpackaged and hung up)
Groomsmen’s Attire (must be unpackaged and hung before photographers arrive)
Getting Ready Photos:
Bride getting Hair and Makeup
Bridesmaids getting Hair and Makeup
Bride and Bridesmaids in Getting Ready Outfits/Robes
Bride and Bridesmaids Champagne Toast or Group Prayer (if applicable)
Bride Putting on Wedding Dress (who would you like to help you get dressed)?
Bride Putting on Wedding Jewelry and Shoes
Groom Getting Dressed
Groom Putting on Jacket, Tie, and Cufflinks
Parent of Groom Pinning Boutonniere (or who will pin bouts? Florist?)
Groomsmen Putting on Jacket, Tie, and Cufflinks
Groom and Groomsmen Toast (if applicable)
Do you want to do a reveal or first look with dad or your bridesmaids (or anyone else)?
Do you want to see each other before hand to do a first look with your fiancé?
Before ceremony formal photos:
** It really helps if you can get some of your formals out of the way before the ceremony. Even if you’re not seeing each other before hand, you can do photos with your immediate families and bridesmaids/groomsmen. That way, after the ceremony you have less to do… and don’t keep your guests waiting too long! 🙂
Bride with Mom
Bride with Dad
Bride with Siblings
Bride with any grandparents attending
Bride with Bridesmaids, both group photos and individuals with each bridesmaid
Bridal Portrait – Alone Fully Dressed with Bouquet
Groom with Mom
Groom with Dad
Groom with Siblings
Groom with any grandparents attending
Groom with Groomsmen, both group photos and individuals with each groomsman
Groom Portrait – Alone Fully Dressed
Ceremony:
Exterior Location Shot
Interior Location Shot
Ceremony Signs
Ceremony Programs
Flower Girl Basket and Ring Bearer Pillow and/or Sign (if applicable, must be unpackaged and out for photographers)
Altar
Aisle Flowers
Officiant standing in front
Groom Walking to Altar
Groomsmen Walking to Altar
Photos of everyone walking down aisle
Bridesmaids Walking Down Aisle
Flower Girl(s) and Ring Bearer(s) Walking Down Aisle
Bride and Parent(s) Walking Down Aisle
Groom Reaction to Bride Walking Down Aisle
Readings/Readers
Vows
Ring Exchange
First Kiss
Recessional
Bride and Groom Signing Marriage License with Officiant (if applicable, in TN many times this is already signed. Please make sure we are present before signing if you want a photo of this).
Wedding Ceremony Exit
Couple, Wedding Party, and Family Portraits:
** We will have you fill out a form with family details (mom and dad’s names, groupings for extended family photos, and more) that will help greatly with this next section. We customize your family photos to whatever you’d like to do.
Bride and Groom with:
Bride’s side of the family (immediate family)
Bride’s parents
Bride- Any extended family photo combinations that you list on your consultation sheet for bride
Groom’s side of the family (immediate family)
Groom’s parents
Groom- Any extended family photo combinations that you list on your consultation sheet for groom
Bride and Groom with Both Sets of Parents
Bride and Groom with Her Grandparents
Bride and Groom with His Grandparents
Bride with Flower Girl(s)
Groom with Ring Bearer(s)
Bride and Groom with Ring Bearer and Flower Girl
Bride and Groom with Entire Wedding Party
Bride and Groom Formal and Candid Portraits
Reception Details:
** Keep in mind, if you only have one photographer these will need to be photographed right before ceremony, or will only be photographed if there’s time before guests consume/use up everything 🙂 Many times the venue or planner can hold guests at cocktail hour so they don’t “mess up” the details before they’re photographed.
Escort Cards or Escort Card Sign
Signature Cocktail Sign with Signature Cocktail
Memorial Sign and Table
Guest Book and Guest Book Sign
Guests at Cocktail Hour
Room Shot of Reception Space
Reception Centerpieces
Place Settings
Menu
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake Topper
Wedding Cake Table (wedding cake with topper, cake knife)
Band or DJ
Dance Floor
Favors
Introduction of Parents and/or Wedding Party
Introduction of Bride and Groom
First Dance
Welcome Speech
Blessing
Best Man Speech
Maid of Honor Speech
Mother/Son Dance
Father/Daughter Dance
Guests on Dance Floor
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Bride and Groom Cutting Cake
Wedding Reception Exit
Hopefully this comprehensive list will help you think through some photos that you might like to do on your wedding day. Communication with your photographer and others involved on your day is key to making sure everything runs smoothly!
