Wedding Photography Checklist For Your Big Day
Are you done planning your wedding?
Have you booked a photography professional to save your big day forever?
Do you think there is nothing left on your to-do list?
Well! You might have done it all in your mind, but you must make a checklist for the purpose.
The bride must stand out with her dress and makeup on. And her beauty has to be captured in its true essence.
When all the events and fun at your wedding are over, all you have will be your photographs. You will be coming back to those photographs to relive the memories. So, make sure all your special moments are there.
The person you chose might be incredibly professional at wedding photography services, but not all couples have similar requirements. You have to convey what you want beforehand so that you and your photographer are on the same page.
We are here to share your burden and provide you with your ultimate wedding photography checklist.
Wedding Photography Checklist
Pre Ceremony – Getting Reading
The getting ready experience for your big day has its own story. You surely want to capture those magical moments. Here’s the wedding photography checklist:
First Things First
The wedding invitation
Engagement rings
Wedding bands
The outlook of the venue
Inside the venue (before the guests arrive)
Venue details’ closeup (flowers, furniture, table decor etc.)
The wedding car for the newlyweds
Bride’s Experience
Solo shot of each: bride’s dress, jewellery, makeup, perfume, shoes (hanging/ arranged in some setting
Collective snapshot of bride’s gown, jewellery, shoes, makeup, and perfume
A full-length snap of the bride wearing the dress
Closeup shot of bride’s dress
Bride wearing the shoes and jewellery (separately)
Bride’s mother buttoning her dress
Bridesmaids wearing their dresses and accessories
Bridesmaids looking at the bride for the first time in a wedding gown
The makeup team dolling up the bride (Book HN Wedding for your desired look)
Bride holding the bouquet
Bride’s father’s first reaction
Bride’s solo candid shot
Any heirloom for the bride
Bride’s snapshot with parents (both together and separately with the bride)
Bride chattering with siblings (or a portrait)
Bride going to the car with her bridesmaids
Bride settling in the car
Groom’s Experience
Shot of each of the groom’s details (cufflinks, perfume, tie, bow, shoes, watch)
Groom getting ready
Groomsmen getting ready
Groomsmen’s reaction on seeing the groom all dapper
Groom wearing the watch, adjusting tie and cufflinks (separately)
Full-length snapshot of the groom
Groom’s solo shot (candid)
Any heirloom for the groom
Groom’s parents’ first reaction
Groom with the parents (both together and separately with the groom)
Groom with the siblings
Groom with the groomsmen
Groom walking towards the wedding car
Groom settled in the car
Moving to the Ceremony – the Venue
Moving to the wedding venue is an exciting experience for both – the bride and the groom. They are experiencing mixed emotions: a bit confused, overwhelmed, excited, and maybe nervous at the same time. These are the precious moments that must make their way to your wedding photography checklist. Before introducing our take on these special moments, we recommend you to visit HN Wedding for some creative angles.
The First Look
Bride walking the aisle
Groom’s first reaction seeing the bride
Groom’s reaction holding the bride’s hand
Guests joy witnessing them being together (precisely the close friends and family)
Exchanging wedding bands
First kiss after marriage
First reaction after being married
The Newlyweds’ Tribe
The newlyweds would want to have some memories with their friends and other family members. If it is pre-planned to be at the ceremony venue, then go for it. But if the couple has pre-arranged a different location, it is better to keep the people involved, ready to save time. The wedding photography checklist will have the following:
The couple’s photo with both sets of parents
The couple’s photo with each duo of parents (separately)
A photograph with the grandparents
A few snapshots with other relatives
Few clicks with the friends
The special friend(s)
The school gang
The college pals
The office colleagues
Any other
A particular gift (maybe a homebaked cake, a self-painted portrait etc.)
Transport clicks (in case the ceremony and reception are at different venues and you have arranged a unique vehicle for your guests for travelling to the decided venue, a vintage bus maybe or a funky coaster)
Post Ceremony – the Reception
Your wedding photography checklist must have the following planned for your reception.
At the Venue
The venue’s outlook
Inside arrangements (follow every detail – the table decor, furniture, floral arrangements, lighting, chandeliers, wedding favours etc.)
The couple’s car
The entrance of the newlyweds as a couple
The dress-up details of the couple
Guests entering the reception venue
Dancefloor (both empty and filled with guests)
Candid clicks of the friends and family enjoying the day
The cake
Cake cutting
Raising the toasts
Speeches for the bride and groom
Couple receiving guests
Couple with the family and friends of each
A group photo with the family and friends
The Couple
Their first appearance at the reception venue
Their first dance
Their toasts to each other
Their solo portraits
Their portraits together
Their candid shots of the moments together
Bride’s dance with her father
Groom’s dance with his mother
The couple leaving the venue (if they are going before the guests)
After-party shots (if there are any fireworks arranged)
If you are still confused about posing for the perfect photographs on your big day, follow HN Wedding.
Our Recommendations
Whatever your priorities are for your wedding album, keep your photographer in the loop. It is best if first, the couple sorts out the possibilities or their plan together. Then, arrange an in-person or a virtual meeting at least a week before their big day. You may also go for a phone call. Share a copy of your wedding photography checklist. You may also like to have a few video clips of the events. Whatever, sort out the details earlier so the photographer can deliver what you have imagined.
To turn your dream into reality, check out HN Wedding.