Photo Opportunities Not to Miss
Getting Ready
- Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
- Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
- Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
- Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
- Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
- Detail of clothing, shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue
- Touching shot of bride with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
- Touching shot of bride with sibling(s)
- Bride hugging honor attendant
- Bride with bridesmaids
- Bride with all the women
- Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
- Touching shot of groom with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
- Touching shot of groom with sibling(s)
- Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
- Groom with all the groomsmen
- Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bowties
- Intimate shots of bride and groom with 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
The Ceremony
- Guests streaming into the site
- Ushers escorting guests to their seats
- Ushers escorting moms to their seats (Christian wedding)
- Close-up of groom's 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 shot of audience during ceremony, from bride and groom's point of view
- Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows
- Close-up of bride's and groom's 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
- Congrats shots: 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
(Note: You can also take these before the ceremony)
- 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
- Shot from outside reception site (to set the tone)
- Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, etc.
- Bride and groom arriving
- 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
- Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each other during dinner
- Bride and groom chatting up the guests
- Bride and groom's first dance
- 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 (again, slow-shutter speed could be effective)
- 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 shot 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
Don't forget that there is virtually no way for the photographer to remember to take all of these pictures and/or have the perfect opportunity to take them - so don't have a tantrum when you get the proofs and a couple shots are missing. Just be realistic about it and hope for the best!
