Creating Your Shot List

That said, it’s always a good idea to create your own supplemental shot list if you have specific moments you want captured. If you have particular locations or details you’d like to highlight, now is a good time to start thinking up some ideas and jotting them down. The more you prep, the more time there will be during the shoot to focus on the photos themselves. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your photographer to get their perspective. They’re the experts, after all!Sending your shot list to your wedding photographer in advance is always a good move. This lets them review it, provide feedback and ask any specific clarifying questions. It also helps them plan their shooting schedule in advance. On this shot list, it’s beneficial to include the VIPs you want photographed to make sure the photographer includes everyone throughout the day. This list might include parents, siblings, the wedding party, and grandparents.

Depending on which shoot you’re doing, here are some ideas to discuss and go over with your photographer a few weeks before the event:

Poses are great, and photographers are particularly skilled at bringing out the model in everyone! However, there’s nothing like the spark between a couple in love when they’re just being themselves. Candid and action shots are a great opportunity to use your location to your advantage. Maybe take a swing on a swing set together, sit on a bench talking and laughing, or pop on some music and have yourself a dance.

We’re sure you’ve already spammed that gorgeous ring across all of your socials, but now's the time for it to really shine! Make sure you get some close-ups shots of that bling. Some common poses for ring photos include a shot from behind your partner with your hand resting on the back of their neck or shoulders, you standing with your partner holding your arm out in front of you, and simply holding hands with your partner.

Here is a sample timeline of the flow of your event day photography. Keep in mind, these timelines and photos can be altered based on your preference: 

These are the intimate moments with your wedding parties leading up to the ceremony that you want to make sure your photographer captures.

Getting her hair and makeup done, talking to her family members or wedding party, laughing, crying, taking a moment of quiet reflection. These are the individual shots you'll want your photographer to capture. 

Getting their hair and makeup done, chatting, drinking champagne, cheersing, laughing, dancing and just generally letting loose. Overall, you want to capture the moments of joy you share with the people closest to you.

These are the intimate moments that you share with each of these individuals. It could be a sentimental moment together, a conversation, them seeing you in your dress for the first time, or them seeing the groom in his tux or suit.

Once everyones hair and makeup is done and all of the wedding party have changed into their shoes and dresses, it’s time for the bride to reveal her dress and look. This is a great photo to capture with the wedding party seeing the wedding gown for the first time (okay, maybe the second time). This is also a great moment to capture the mothers of the nearlyweds.

Once the first look reveal is completed with all the wedding party, it’s time for the individual photos with each of the wedding party and the bride. This is also when the bride and wedding party will take their group photos together. Make sure you’ve already selected a location at your venue where these photos can take place. 

Getting ready, talking with family members or groomsmen, taking a moment by themselves - whatever individual shots you wish to capture of the groom before the ceremony. 

Similar to the wedding party moment, these are photos taken when the groom is spending time with his groomsmen. They may be playing games, telling jokes, or just hanging out.

These are the intimate moments that you share with each of these individuals. For the bride and her father, this is a very special moment that's worth capturing through photos and videos.

This is time for the individual photos with each of the groomsmen and the groom. This is also when the groomsmen will take their group photos together. Make sure you've already selected a location at your venue where these photos can take place. 

This is the moment where you take some time as the nearlyweds to go over your vows. Maybe you’re finalizing what you wrote, putting them on a new notecard, just taking a moment for yourself to prepare to read them to your partner. These always make great shots!

Many couples give each other a special item to wear or a note to read before the ceremony. This is usually a final intimate moment between you and your partner before the very public ceremony begins.

Pro Tip: Sometimes this moment can be emotional, especially when reading their personal note. Just make sure to have hair and makeup on standby for any last minute touches. We also recommend you have your makeup done ahead of time so your photographer can capture it in all its glory! 

No one is more excited to be a part of your wedding than the flower pal or ring bearer and we can guarantee they look absolutely adorable, too! Make sure you capture your reaction when you see them in their outfits for the first time. This is also the moment where you can give them a little gift for being a part of your wedding party or spend some time dancing or playing with them. Make sure your photographer is somewhere nearby to capture it all!

We’re all familiar with the tradition of the groom not being able to see the bride until she walks down the aisle, but it's quickly being ditched. For starters, it just isn’t practical. On top of that, it robs you both of the amazing moment of seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony. This First Look moment can be intimate and touching and is a great one to make sure your photographer and videographer capture.

Choose an intimate location at your venue - preferably somewhere private - where you and your partner can see each other for the first time. This location should not only be beautiful for photos, but it should also be private so your guests and wedding party aren’t standing around... unless that's what you prefer! 

Following the first look, the couple can now take the first of their couple photos together. This is a great way to knock out a good amount of those intimate photos before the ceremony so you can spend more time celebrating after the ceremony.

Pro Tip: Make sure to factor this time into your day-of schedule. Good photographs take time to set up, and you definitely want your First Look and Couple Photos to be good!

Once the couple has completed all of their solo photos it’s time for the wedding party and the groomsmen join for wedding party photos together as a group. To stage these the wedding parties can be paired up however they’ll be walking down the aisle, but ultimately you can do whatever you’d like! Again, this lets you wrap up all of these photos before your ceremony even starts! We highly recommend you do it this way so your entire wedding party can get to celebrating as soon as you say “I Do!”

In these group photos, the couple usually takes center stage. They can be as serious, candid, funny, or playful as you want. Keep in mind these are probably the photos that you'll remember when looking at it years later, so make them count!

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. You, your partner and your wedding planner have spent SO MUCH time designing your entire wedding day so make sure your photographer takes their time capturing all the details once setup is complete. These photos won’t include people, just the design elements, details, and location that make your wedding special. Think about your ceremony set up, the reception, tablescapes, flowers, bar set up… you get the picture, every single detail! Make sure to allow plenty of time for your photographer to shoot before your guests arrive!

Congratulations, you’ve officially said “I Do!” Now it’s time to celebrate. Normally, the couple will go take some post-ceremony photos with their close friends and family, but for the remaining guests and wedding party... it’s cocktail hour! This is the in-between time between the ceremony and the reception where guests can mix and mingle while enjoying a cocktail or refreshing beverage. If you’ll need a lot of time for post-ceremony photos but still want photos of cocktail hour it might be worth talking to your photographer about a second shooter.

 If you decided to do a first look then congratulations, you’ve already taken the majority of your wedding day photos. This is now the time for you and your partner to take photos with your extended family. These are people you're close with and want to make sure you get nice photos with. Think: Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews - you get the picture! But make it quick so they have time to make it to the end of cocktail hour! If you decide to opt out of the first look, then this is the time you'll need to take all of your individual photos along with both your wedding party and your family photos. Make sure to schedule in a good chunk of time for these!

Alright, all of your group and family photos are done (what a relief!). Now, it’s time to get to the fun stuff. Below is a brief overview of how you can plan your reception photos. Keep in mind, you can mix, match, and move these moments around depending on your preference. This day is about what YOU and YOUR partner want! 

Usually, the married couple is introduced first followed by the wedding party. But as always, this is totally up to you. Sometimes the couple chooses to walk out to one of their favorite songs. Make sure your photographer is there and ready for when the MC, DJ, or lead singer introduces you!

Following the newlyweds entrance, they begin their first dance as a married couple. This dance is to a special song chosen by the couple and can be as long or as short as they wish. This is a no-brainer for your photographer to capture!

Some people say this is their favorite part of a wedding, and we see their point! These are the moments where the closest people in the couple's lives get to share their most memorable stories. Normally, there are three speeches: one from the Father of the Bride, one from the Maid of Honor, and one from the Best Man. But remember, you can have as many speeches as you want! Just make sure your photographer is ready to capture all these moments. 

These are special dances for both the members of the couple and their close family members. Traditionally, the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother, but you can choose whoever you’d prefer to dance with! Sometimes, grandparents and other significant family members are included in these moments.

Cue Beyonce’s ‘All The Single Ladies’! This is the moment where the bride tosses her bouquet into a crowd of ‘single ladies’ or individuals who are hoping to one day be married. It’s a very old-school tradition, and some couples opt out of this celebration altogether. Still, if it’s something you want to do, it can be a fun way to bring your wedding guests together! 

Similar to the Bouquet Toss, this is an old-school tradition where the bride sits in the middle of the dance floor on a chair and the groom goes under her dress to take off the garter that's positioned on her upper thigh.

Whether you choose to have a cake, some churros or cupcakes, make sure you capture this dessert moment with your photographer and videographer.

This is the moment when the couple leave their wedding reception and it usually signals the end of the night. Sometimes couples incorporate their guests by having them watch and cheer as they celebrate their love one last time.