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.