No doubt there are many wedding moments you don't want to miss. The best way to ensure your photographer captures the right moment is to provide a list of must-take pictures. Seeing them written down will also let you know how long you'll have to smile. Remember that each picture set-up will take from one to two minutes. Thus 30 to 40 set pictures after the wedding could keep your guests waiting for over an hour before you arrive at the reception.
While it is easy to forget, communication with your photographer is of utmost importance. Photographers can only take good pictures if they are present when the activity is occurring. So if you are planning a quick get-a-way or other unusual activity you would like in pictures, tell your photographer in advance so they can be in position to catch all the action. For more tips see "Working with your Photographer"
Here's a list of pictures you may wish to include on your list -- be sure to add your own creative must-have pictures too!
GETTING READY
These are usually taken soon after the photographer arrives. Be sure to tell the photographer where and when you will be ready then try to be on time. If the bride and groom are not to see each other before the wedding, consider where the pictures will be taken and how long it will take the photographer to move from one location to another. For the best pictures, the people should be at least 5 feet from the backdrop and the photographer needs about 12 feet in front of the people. While outside pictures are great in the spring and fall you should be prepared to go inside if the weather is not cooperating.
Wedding flowers and other decorations.
Brides' clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
Bridesmaids doing brides' hair and makeup
Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
Full-length picture of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
Detail of clothing, shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue
Touching picture of bride with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching picture of bride with sibling/s
Bride hugging honor attendant
Bride with bridesmaids
Bride with flower girl(s)
Bride with Ring Bearers
Bride with all the ladies
Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
Touching picture of groom with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching picture of groom with sibling/s
Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
Groom with all the groomsmen
Groom with ring bearers
Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bow ties
Intimate pictures of bride and groom chatting with/crying with/hugging parents and siblings pre-ceremony
Dad whispering last-minute advice to groom
Groom ready to go
Bride ready to go
Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony (in a limo backseat, hailing a cab, walking down the street/hall/stairs)
THE CEREMONY
These pictures will be taken during the ceremony. Some churches and the desires of family members limit the photography during this time. Since many weddings are taken in areas of low light, the photographer will be using a strong flash unit and during the quiet of the ceremony the sound of the camera operation will be noticed. Many find the flash and sound to be inappropriate to the occasion, but most locations permit at least one time-lapse picture of the ceremony. Please insure that all parties (including the minister and church wedding guild, if applicable) agree on the use of photography and the use of flash then notify the photographer at the wedding.
Guests streaming into the site
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Ushers escorting moms to their seats (Christian wedding)
Close-up of grooms' adorably nervous mug waiting for his other half
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
Honor attendant walking down the aisle
Grandparents walking down the aisle (Jewish wedding)
Wedding party waiting at the altar
Groom walking down the aisle
Bride and Dad/escort/parents (Jewish wedding) walking down the aisle
Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
Bride and groom at the altar
Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
Wide picture of audience during ceremony, from bride and grooms' point of view
Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows
Close-up of brides' and grooms' hands as they exchange rings
The kiss
Bride and groom proceeding up the aisle, guests' smiling faces at their sides
Bride and groom outside ceremony site
Congratulation pictures: bride and groom hugging, laughing, and crying with good friends and family
Bride and groom leaving ceremony site
Bride and groom in limo backseat
BEFORE THE RECEPTION (during cocktail hour)
Note: You should take these before the ceremony if traditions permit since the photographer can not take these pictures and cover the cocktail event at the same time.
Bride and groom together
Bride with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Bride with her entire immediate family
Groom with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Groom with his entire immediate family
Bride and groom with all parents
Bride and groom with immediate family members from both sides
Bride and groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom with bridesmaids
Bride and groom with whole wedding party
THE RECEPTION
These pictures are mostly taken on-the-fly in a photo journalistic fashion and look spontaneous in the final print; however, the successful creation of may of these pictures depend on close cooperation between the people and the photographer. In general the action needs to be announced to the guest followed by a pause to heighten anticipation (and let the photographer get into position) then perform the action.
Picture from outside reception site (to set the tone)
Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, favors table, and champagne glasses
Bride and groom arriving (make it dramatic -- their faces through the dark limo windows, the two lovebirds atop a staircase or pushing through a curtain)
Receiving line moments
Bride and groom at head table
Parents' table
Guests' tables
Close-up of friends and family making toasts
Bride and groom sipping champagne
Brides' and grooms' parents whispering to each other during dinner
Bride and groom talking to the guests
Bride and grooms' first dance (maybe with a slow shutter speed so the movement blurs the image a little)
Parents dancing
Bride and Dad dancing
Groom and Mom dancing
Wedding party dancing
Grandparents dancing
Kids playing or dancing
Musicians or DJ doing their thing
Guests going nuts on the dance floor
Bride laughing with bridesmaids
Cake table
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Dessert table
Bouquet toss (perhaps a vertical picture from in front of the bride)
Tossing and catching of the garter
Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's backseat
Rear of car departing
