Below is an exhaustive list of possible shots for your wedding. Print out a copy, cross out the shots you do not want and add in those not listed, and you are ready for the big day. Note that this list is built in such a way that if you follow the order as it the bride will have to move very little. This can save a great deal of time and make for a happier bride! This list is adapted on a list found in “Wedding Photography – Creative Techniques for Lighting and Posing” by Rick Ferro.
Bride
1. Bride full length
2. Bride full length profile (profile light)
3. Bride 3/4 length
4. Bride 3/4 profile (profile light)
5. Bride head and shoulders
6. Bride head and shoulders (profile with flowers)
7. Bride looking into mirror
8. Bride fixing her lips or blush (“set-up shot”)
Bride with Attendants
1. Bride with each girl (full length)
2. Bride with each girl (3/4 with flowers)
3. Bride with each girl (looking at each other)
4. Bride with all bridesmaids in grouping
5. Bride sitting with bridesmaids around her
Bride with Mom
1. Bride with Mom (full length)
2. Bride with Mom (3/4 length)
3. Bride with Mom (looking at each other)
4. Bride and Mom fixing veil (“set-up shot)
5. Bride giving Mom a kiss
Bride with Dad
1. Bride with Dad (full length)
2. Bride with Dad (3/4 length)
3. Bride with Dad (looking at each other)
4. Bride fixing Dad’s tie (turned in profile toward each other)
5. Bride giving Dad a kiss (Dad looks at camera)
Bride with Family
1. Bride with Mom and sisters
2. Bride with Mom, sisters and Grandmother
3. Bride with Dad and brothers
4. Bride with Dad, brothers and Grandfather
5. Bride with Mom and Dad
6. Bride with Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters
7. Bride with Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and Grandparents
8. Bride with Grandparents
Groom
1. Groom (full length)
2. Groom (3/4 length)
3. Groom profile (window light with bare bulb)
4. Groom in front of mirror fixing his tie (smile!)
Groom with Groomsmen
1. Groom with each groomsman (3/4 length)
2. Groom with each groomsman (profile, shaking hands)
3. Groom with entire party of groomsmen
Groom with Mom
1. Groom and Mom (full length)
2. Groom and Mom (3/4 length)
3. Groom with Mom fixing his boutonniere or flower (profile)
4. Groom with Mom placing a kiss on his cheek
5. Groom with Mom (3/4 profile)
6. Groom placing kiss on Mom’s cheek
Groom and Dad
1. Groom and Dad (full length)
2. Groom and Dad (3/4 length)
3. Groom shaking hands with Dad (3/4 length profile)
4. Groom shaking hands with Dad (looking into camera)
5. Groom fixing Dad’s tie (profile)
Groom with Family
1. Groom with Mom and sisters
2. Groom with Mom, sisters and Grandmother
3. Groom with Dad and brothers
4. Groom with Dad, brothers and Grandfather
5. Groom with Mom and Dad
6. Groom with Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters
7. Groom with Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and Grandparents
8. Groom with sisters only
9. Groom with Grandparents
Ceremony Begins
1. Parents coming down the aisle
2. Parents lighting candles
3. Each bridesmaid (separately)
4. Flower girl
5. Ring bearer
6. Bride and Dad before they walk down the aisle
7. Bride kissing dad on altar
Ceremony (Special Photos)
1. Full length images in back of church
2. Change lenses of existing light in ceremony
3. Go down to 3/4 of aisle and repeat steps one and two.
4. Bride and groom lighting candles (shoot from back of church)
5. Bride and groom kneeling, usually facing each other
6. Bride and groom kissing
7. Bride and groom returning down the aisle
8. Bride and groom returning down the aisle (kissing)
Return to the Altar (Set-up Shots)
1. Re-shoot some key images with flash
2. Bride and groom on either side of minister (full length)
3. Bride and groom on either side of minister (3/4 length)
4. Bride placing ring on groom
5. Groom placing ring on bride
6. Bride and groom kissing
Bride and Groom Formals
1. Full length photos of bride and groom (about 3)
2. 3/4 length photos of bride and groom (about 3)
3. Bride and groom looking at each other
4. Bride and groom with bride’s parents
5. Bride and groom with bride’s parents, brothers and sisters
6. Bride and groom with bride’s parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents
7. Bride and groom with bride’s parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and anyone else special to the bride
8. Bride with bride’s parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and anyone else special to the bride
9. Bride with bride’s parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents
10. Bride with bride’s parents, brothers and sisters
11. Bride with bride’s parents
12. Full length portraits of bride
13. Full length profiles of bride
14. As many variations as you can with the bride alone
15. Bride and groom with groom’s parents
16. Bride and groom with groom’s parents, brothers and sisters
17. Bride and groom with groom’s parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents
18. Bride and groom with groom’s parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and anyone else special to the bride
19. Groom with groom’s parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and anyone else special to the bride
20. Groom with groom’s parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents
21. Groom with groom’s parents, brothers and sisters
22. Groom with groom’s parents
23. Groom alone (different areas of the church)
Bridal Party Set-ups
1. Bride with maid of honor
2. Groom with best man
3. Bride and groom in center with groomsmen on his side and bridesmaids on hers
4. Bride and groom in center with attendants paired up and posed evenly around them
5. Groom with groomsmen
6. Bride with bridesmaids
Exit Shots
1. Leaving the church (some fun shots of the couple)
2. Bride and groom at the limousine
3. Bride and groom in the limousine
Newlywed Shots
1. Ring shot with groom in profile and bride in 2/3 view
2. Shots of the couple in available light (double profile, her profile to his, 2/3 view, etc.)
3. The bride and groom in other locations
Reception Photos
1. Dining area
2. Table set-up with flowers
3. Wedding cake (try adding extra flowers and backlighting)
4. Wedding party as they arrive (as couples)
5. First dance (four or five full length shots)
6. First dance (3/4 shot cheek to cheek – backlight one stop less than exposure)
7. Toast with the best man
8. Best man between newlyweds after toast
9. Blessing or cutting of the bread
10. Champagne toasts between members of the bridal party
11. Parents and family members toasting
12. Table shots (leave three or four people sitting, then bring the rest of those at the table around behind them)
13. Candids (work with DJ to know what activities are planned)
14. Candids of bride and groom walking around greeting guests
15. Dance shots
16. Bride dancing with father (full length)
17. Bride with dad (3/4 length, looking at camera)
18. Groom with mom (full length)
19. Groom with mom (3/4 length, looking at camera)
20. Bride and groom with grandparents
21. Parents
22. Grandparents
23. Bridal party couples
24. The cake cutting
25. Bride and groom feeding each other
26. Bride and groom “cake kissing”
27. Bride taking off garter (at least two or three shots)
28. Groom about to toss garter
29. Bachelors trying to catch the garter
30. Bride with bouquet in the air
31. Women trying to catch the flowers
32. Goodbye shot