The couple reached out to you and asked you to be their wedding photographer. Whoop, whoop, your dream came true, so much excitement, you are going to expand your portfolio and maybe the Wedding Photography is going to be your favourite subject. Unfortunately, you cannot just show up, start to take random photos, pack your camera to the bag and go back home, this day is all about Bride and Groom. As one of the most important days in any person’s life, it is essential to nail a wedding session the first time around, there are no do-overs, and a bad photos can be potentially disastrous for your future client relations. It is your job to make sure they will have an amazing wedding photos to look at in years’ time and to show them to their kids and grandkids in the future. You must come prepared. Even you think you will remember what photos you should take it is a good idea to simply bring with you a
‘Wedding Day Photography List’ to quickly check it between the shoots. That way, you’ll avoid a trap that many couples fall into where, six months after the wedding, they find themselves thinking: “I wish I had a picture of me and my Aunty Amanda”.

How to work with a Wedding Day Photography List’?

I would not suggest coming over to the wedding, take the list out from your pocket and start to decide which photos to take. Take time at home before the final date and mark those which you know you cannot miss. You may also discuss which photos would be of couple biggest interest during your conversation with them before their wedding day. If there’s anything you’ve or your duo envisioned, then it’s important to communicate that.

To make things even easier, I’ve made a sample free checklist for you to copy!

DETAILS
Invitation, program, special signs, & gifts
Wedding rings
Wedding dresses/suits
Outfit accessories like shoes, cuff links, or jewellery – RINGS!!!!
Bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres

GETTING READY
Bride(s) and bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done
Wedding party having fun
Mother and bride/groom portraits
Father and bride/groom portraits
Family shots

PRE-CEREMONY 
Couple alone for your first look
Bride(s) and bridesmaids/flower girls
Groom(s) and groomsmen/ring bearer

CEREMONY
Venue shots including ceremony site, flowers, interior, and exterior details
Groom and groomsmen waiting inside the venue
Guests
Bridal party entrance
Bride(s) walking down the aisle
Groom’s reaction
Father/mother giving the bride away
Exchanging of vows
Exchanging the rings
The first kiss as a married couple and the moment after
Signing the marriage certificate
The recessional (couple walking back up the aisle)

GROUP PORTRAITS 
Couple with bridesmaids/groomsmen
Couple with the entire wedding party
Bride(s) with bridesmaids/maid of honour
Groom(s) and groomsmen/best man
Couple with any children
Couple with each set of parents
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with siblings
Couple with close family members

RECEPTION 
Details and room décor shots, including table settings, place cards, centrepieces, etc.
Wedding cake detail shots
Grand entrance
Toasts and speeches
Cake cutting
The first dance
Bride(s) dancing with father/groom(s) dancing with mother
Couple mingling with guests
Guests dancing
Musicians, singers, DJ
Grand exit

It’s important to realise that the ‘Wedding Photography List’ is only a guideline. Everyone’s wedding day runs differently, you are going to end up with slightly different photos than what you imagine. But please do not limit yourself to the list, take lots of photos in between, capture the beauty of what makes the wedding day unique.