Wedding Photography Checklist

As we approach our wedding planning a wedding photography checklist is essential. The checklist represents the wedding pictures that most brides want, but it is only a starting point. Any given wedding party might desire pictures that are not included or to leave out some that are.

This wedding photography checklist is especially essential if a couple needs to consider how to save money on their wedding pictures. Perhaps this is something a bride will want to cut out all together - but then again, your wedding pictures are the one of the few tangible records that allows us to look back on our big day and remember how beautiful it was. True the cake might survive the freezer for the one year anniversary and, true, the crystal wedding cake jewelry can be reused to add a touch of elegance to room decor for years to come... but past that, the only testimony a pair has of their wonderful nuptial celebration are the wedding pictures.

A wise bride and groom will look the checklist over and ask yourself how important each picture is: Do you care about having that moment in time or group recorded photographically? How important is it to you to have the pictures be high quality.

1. The classic portrait of the bride and groom dressed for the ceremony
2. Various candid shots of the bride getting ready for the wedding
3. Bride and bridesmaids – this might be multiple pictures
4. Candid pictures of various attendants and mothers preparing for the wedding
5. Candid of groom prepping for the wedding
6. Groom and groomsmen – this might be multiple pictures
7. Leaving for the ceremony
8. Candid of the bride and groom at the alter
9. Bride with her mother
10. Bride with her father
11. Bride with her parents
12. The entire wedding party
13. Bride with her immediate family
14. Bride and groom with the bride's immediate family
15. The groom with his immediate family
16. Husband and wife with groom's immediate family
17. Bride and siblings
18. Groom and siblings
19. Groom with his parents
20. Husband and wife with groom's parents
21. Husband and wife with bride's parents
22. Husband and wife together with all parents
23. Groom with his mother
24. Groom with his father
25. Couple with groom's grandparents
26. Couple with bride's grandparents
27. Couple with attendants
28. Candid of each member of wedding party coming down the aisle
29. Candid of bride coming down the aisle
30. Candid of bride's father leaving her at the altar
31. Candid of entire wedding party at the altar
32. Candid of the exchanging of rings
33. Posed close up of rings being put on finger
34. Candid of the saying of vows
35. Candid of the kiss
36. Candid of the bride and groom leaving the altar
37. New couple arriving at the reception
38. Toasts
39. Wedding cake
40. Cutting of the cake
41. First dance
42. Tossing the bouquet
43. Guests dancing
44. Guests signing the guest book
45. Bride and groom departing the reception

There are forty-five poses or shots on this wedding photography checklist - many of which represent multiple photographs. This means that there are at least one hundred and fifty pictures that most brides consider to be "absolutely necessary" for a standard wedding with three attendants for each and the usual compliment of assorted family.

Of course, the question is; which items on the wedding photography checklist are most important to the couple. After these priorities are set then the couple can work on finding a wedding photographer and ways to make their wedding budget and their wedding photography work together toward that perfect wedding day.

Wedding Photography Checklist