The secret behind the amazing wedding photography is planning. The proper photography shots list is very important for Wedding Photography. You have plenty of options during the wedding, from candids to family portraits. Please check the below list and share your photography shots list in the comments section.

Note: This article was inspired by the book of Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner. You can purchase this book for full details.

Wedding Photography Shots List#1 Engagement Shoot

Location Ideas

  • Wedding ceremony site
  • Reception site
  • Fancy hotel
  • Local park
  • Engagement site
  • First date site
  • First meeting place
  • The beach
  • The lake
  • Their home
  • Downtown
  • Scenic neighborhood
  • Industrial area
  • Local store (e.g. record store for music lovers)
  • Vineyard
  • Local landmark
  • School campus
  • Museum grounds

Pose Suggestions

  • Looking at each other
  • Holding hands
  • On bended knee
  • Stagger the couple
  • Couple really laughing
  • Back to back
  • Sitting with bride-to-be in front of groom-to-be
  • Kissing

#2 Before Wedding

Locations to Scout

  • Bride dressing area
  • Groom dressing area
  • Relaxed pre-ceremony portrait location
  • Ceremony site
  • Relaxed pre-reception portrait location
  • Reception area
  • License signing area
  • Toast location
  • Cake cutting area
  • Dance floor

Bride getting ready

  • Bride getting her makeup and hair done
  • Wedding dress
  • Wedding dress detail (lace, buttons, bows, etc.)
  • Dress shoes
  • Something Old
  • Something New
  • Something Borrowed
  • Something Blue
  • Any special jewelry
  • The bouquet
  • Bridesmaid dresses
  • Bridesmaid flowers
  • Candid shots of the bride getting ready
  • Candid shots of bridesmaids getting ready
  • Flower girls getting ready
  • Mother helping the bride get ready
  • Mother helping with one last detail (veil)
  • Maid of honor helping bride get ready
  • Bride with bridesmaids around her
  • Bride with each member of her entourage
  • Full-length shot of the bride in dress
  • 3/4 Length shot of the bride in dress
  • Bride and bridesmaids toasting
  • Bride and her family

Groom getting ready

  • Putting on the tux or suit jacket
  • Help with the tie
  • Help with the boutonnière
  • Help with the cufflinks
  • Straightening the jacket
  • Dusting imaginary lint off the shoulder
  • Groom with parents
  • Groom with siblings
  • Groom with groomsmen
  • Groom’s mother helping with the boutonnière
  • Groomsmen putting on their boutonnières
  • Groom and groomsmen straightening their ties
  • Groom relaxed waiting
  • Groom with ring bearer
  • The rings
  • Tux or suit details
  • Groom with his entourage
  • Groom ready to get married
  • Groom and groomsmen waiting for the ceremony to start

The Bride and Groom with

  • Whole family
  • Parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews, nieces, children
  • Parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews, nieces, children plus groom
  • Grandmother, mother, and daughter (Female side of the family)
  • Grandparents and parents
  • Grandparents and parents plus the groom
  • Grandparents
  • Parents, siblings, and children
  • Parents and children
  • Parents and children plus the groom
  • Parents
  • Both sets of the parents plus the groom
  • Parents plus groom
  • Children
  • Children plus groom
  • Special relative

Wedding party

  • Bride and groom with the whole wedding party
  • Bride and the groomsmen
  • Groom and bridesmaids
  • Bride and groom with flower girls and ring bearer
  • Bride and groom with the maid of honor and best man

#3 During the Wedding Ceremony

  • The exterior of the venue
  • The interior of the venue without any people
  • Guests walking into the ceremony
  • Any musicians playing during the processional and wedding
  • Guests being seated
  • Officiate waiting
  • Groom walking down the aisle with mother/parents
  • Groomsmen walking family down the aisle
  • Parents being seated
  • Grandparents being seated
  • Groom waiting for the bride
  • Important family members being seated
  • Bridal party walking down the aisle
  • Maid/Matron of Honor walking down the aisle
  • Ring bearer walking the aisle
  • Flower girl walking down the aisle
  • Bride with her escort
  • Bride walking down the aisle
  • Bride’s expression as she sees the groom
  • Groom’s expression when he sees a bride (2nd shooter?)
  • Father of the bride giving her away
  • Bride and groom at alter/Chupah
  • Parents watching the ceremony
  • View of the ceremony from the guest’s point of view
  • Close-ups of the bride’s and groom’s faces
  • Wedding party close-ups during the ceremony
  • Exchange of vows close up and wide-angle
  • Ring exchange both close up and wide-angle
  • The kiss
  • Any blessings
  • Any readings
  • Any special moments like candle lighting or glass breaking
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle after the ceremony
  • Hugs and congratulations
  • Receiving line

#4 After the Wedding Ceremony

  • The whole family (both bride’s and groom’s families)
  • Groom’s parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews, nieces, children
  • Bride’s parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews, nieces, children
  • Groom’s grandparents and parents
  • Bride’s grandparents and parents
  • Groom’s grandparents
  • Bride’s grandparents
  • All grandparents
  • Groom’s parents, siblings, and children
  • Bride’s parents, siblings, and children
  • Groom’s parents and children
  • Bride’s parents and children
  • All parents and children
  • Groom’s parents
  • Bride’s parents
  • All parents
  • Children
  • Special relative
  • Officiate and witness for the signing of the marriage certificate

#5 During the Reception

  • Place setting
  • Flowers
  • Cake
  • Cake table
  • Cake details
  • Guest book
  • Seating cards
  • Seating plan
  • Room details
  • Toast glasses
  • Wedding favors
  • DJ or Band
  • Decorations
  • Table settings
  • Building details
  • Bride and groom arriving
  • First dance
  • Mother/Son dance
  • Father/Daughter dance
  • Garter toss
  • Bouquet toss
  • Toasts
  • Cake cutting
  • Dancing
  • Leaving the party
  • Special food or drinks
  • Guest arriving
  • Guest signing the guest book
  • Parents, grandparents, family dancing
  • Musicians/DJ
  • Couple leaving

Note: This article was inspired by the book of Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner. You can purchase this book for full details.


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