Must-have Wedding Shots
The wedding photographs should reflect the styles and personalities of the bride and groom as well as of the overall look and feel of the day. Some brides opt for a very traditional range of pictures, while others introduce cunning twists and brand new approaches to the photographs. However, regardless of the style and preferences of each couple, there are a few shots that are absolute must-haves for that special day. These can be done in fun, new ways. They should be included on a checklist for the photographer so that he or she is completely prepared to capture the moments that matter most.
Before the Ceremony:
- Dress hanging up or draped across a bed or chair
- Bride having her dress buttoned, zipped or tied up
- The garter on her thigh
- A shot of her shoes on her feet
- Bridal make-up being applied
- Finishing touches being done to her hair
- The bride, her mother, bridesmaids and Maid of Honour drinking a glass of champagne or having a good laugh together
- Bridal party leaving for the ceremony
- Groom getting ready (shaving, fastening his tie or slinging his jacket over his shoulder)
- Groom and groomsmen having a “boy’s moment” (clinking beer bottles together or laughing over an inside joke)
- Groom leaving for the ceremony
At the Ceremony:
- The groom and then the bride exiting their vehicles outside the venue
- Guests arriving at the ceremony venue
- The Maid of Honour and each of the bridesmaids walking into the venue
- The bride walking down the aisle
- The groom’s face as he sees her for the first time
- The musicians and officiant
- The father-of-the-bride giving his daughter away (if appropriate)
- The audience from the front
- Close-up of both the bride and groom while saying their vows
- Exchanging their rings
- The sealing kiss
- The bride and groom leaving the venue
- Outside the venue when the bride and groom are being congratulated
- Couple getting into the car as well as a shot of them in the backseat
The Bridal Couple:
- A full-length picture of both the bride and the groom by themselves
- Bride with her Maid of Honour
- Bride with her bridesmaids
- Bride with her parents
- Bride and groom alone
- Couple with his parents
- Couple with her parents
- Couple with both families
- Couple with ring bearer and flower girl
- Groom with his best man
- Groom with his other groomsmen
At the Reception:
- The reception venue (inside and outside)
- Guests milling around, waiting for the couple to arrive
- Couple arriving and greeting their guests
- Table décor
- The main table décor
- Musicians
- The wedding cake before it is cut
- The gift table once it is full of gifts
- The bride and groom standing at each table so that there is at least one shot of every guest
- A picture of a starter, main meal and dessert, or one shot of the buffet
- The couple’s first dance together
- The bride dancing with her father
- The bride dancing with her father-in-law
- The groom dancing with his mother
- The groom dancing with his mother-in-law
- Guests dancing
- Cutting the cake
- Bride throwing the bouquet
- Groom retrieving the garter
- The dance between the couple that caught the bouquet and garter
- The car once it has been “decorated”
- The bridal couple leaving the reception
Photo Credit: www.onewed.com
