Photo Planning

Okay, your ready to go, you know you want to document your wedding in the best fashion possible, but have never planned a photographic event of this magnatude!

Where do you start? 

What type of Photos?

Photos of What?

Scary is it not?

Well planning the photographic part of your wedding is really quite simple and does not need to be scary, you need to have a list of what is important to you, you can base this on what your friends have done, perhaps what your parents have done, or even your grandparents. It is your day, we can make suggestions, but ultimately it is your choice of how your want your photos to document this special day.  You need to figure out what are ‘must have shots’ in additon to the candids, etc. below you will find a list of suggestions that might make things a little easier.

No doubt there are many wedding moments you won't want to miss. The best way to ensure your photographer captures the right moments for posterity is to provide a list of must-take shots. Seeing them written down will also let you know how long you'll have to smile. Here's a list of crucial shots to include on your list -- be sure to add your own creative must-have pics, too!

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 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

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 (During cocktail hour)
(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, 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

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 (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 (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


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