Photo Checklist

Photo Checklist

You're paying a lot of money for your wedding photos. Be sure you get all of the photos you want by preparing early and making a list of those shots that are important to you. Print the list below and then mark it up to your satisfaction. Give your photographer the list one week before your wedding to familiarize him or herself with what you'll be expecting.

Be sure to keep a copy of this list to bring yourslef, just in case the photographer forgets or misplaces the list. Ask your Best Man or Maid of Honor to be in charge of the list since you'll be very busy and preoccupied that day.

On top of traditional shots, you may want to ask your photographer to get portraits or candids of specific couples or families that are not in the wedding party since framed photographs make great gifts. You can have these printed and give them as birthday or holiday gifts.

Remember that while you and your new hubbie will be the center of your universe, you are not the center of everyone elses. Keep that in mind when choosing which pictures to give to your guests - a family portrait or a candid of someone's child may be more meaningful to some than your first dance.

Photo Checklist

Getting Ready

Bridal party getting hair and make up done

Bride getting dressed

Mom helping the bride get dressed (buttoning buttons, putting on veil...)

Bride looking into the mirror

Bride all ready to go

Bride leaving her house

Details of bride's clothing

Groom getting ready with his groomsmen (tying bowtie, putting on boutonniere)

Groom and his father

Groom all ready to go

Wedding rings with the invitation

The Ceremony

Bride getting out of the limo

Guests arriving at the site

Groom waiting for the bride

The processional

Bride and groom at the alter

Bride and groom holding hands (close up of hands)

View of the wedding party at the alter or canopy from the back

Bride and groom exchanging vows

Bride and groom exchanging rings

The first kiss

Bride and groom being announced to the guests

The recessional

Bride and groom leaving ceremony site

Formal Pictures (before the ceremony or during the cocktail hour)

Bride looking at her bouquet

Bride with her mother

Bride with her father

Bride individually with each bridesmaid/flower girl/ring bearer

Bride with all of her bridesmaids/flower girl(s)/ring bearer(s)

Bride with her entire family

Groom with hismother

Groom with his father

Groom individually with each groomsman/flowergirl/ringbearer

Groom with all of his groomsmen/flower girl(s)/ring bearer(s)

Groom with his entire family

Groom with the bride's father

Bride and groom

Bride and grooom with each family and then everyone together

Bride and groom and the entire wedding party

Bride and groom signing the marriage certificate

The Reception

The reception site before the guests arrive

Shots of decoration details (place cards, table settings, champagne glasses)

Buffet table, if applicable

Entrance of newlyweds

Receiving line

Guests signing the guestbook

Each toast

Bride and groom at head table

First dance

Bride dancing with her father

Groom dancing with his mother

Lots and lots of candids

Special family portraits to use as gifts

Shots of groups from specific parts of your life (first neighborhood, high school, college, relatives)

Musicians

Cake table

Newlyweds cutting (and feeding each other) the cake

Dessert table, if applicable

Bouquet toss

Garter toss

Bride and groom waving from getaway car

Add any additional shots below...