Photo Credit: Alamo Photographic

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 of your wedding ceremony and reception:

Bride’s Pre-ceremony Shots:

• Shots of bridal party preparing for 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 groomsmen 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 ceremony
• Groom when sees bride walking into ceremony
• Mother’s doing unity candle (if applicable)
• Various shots during 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 about what is important to you for your big day. That way he/she will be better prepared to take the shots you want!