The Ultimate Wedding Photography Shot List
How Capture Every Precious Moment
Weddings are filled with amazingly beautiful moments.
Capturing these once-in-a-lifetime celebrations — and memorializing every meaningful detail — can take an experienced wedding photographer and an ideal wedding photo shoot list.
With that in mind, here’s the ultimate wedding photography shot list, complete with insights on why each shot matters, how to compose it, and how to capture the best wedding photos.
To navigate this easily, click on any item of this guide, listed below, to “jump” directly to that section :
A Must-Have Wedding Shot List
This ideal shot list ensures that every significant detail of the day is preserved, from the grandest gestures to the smallest emotions.
1. The Wedding Dress & Accessories
The wedding dress often reflects the bride's personality and style, as well as the magical essence of the ceremony itself, making it a must-capture detail. Accessories like shoes, jewelry, and the bouquet can enhance the story, adding more charm and lovely rich detail.
Composition Tips: Hang the dress in a well-lit area, preferably against a neutral background. Zoom in on details for more impact. For accessories, arrange them artistically on a flat surface.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a macro lens for close-up shots of intricate details like lace, beading, or embroidery. Play with natural light to highlight textures. Black and white photos of the wedding dress and accessories offer a classic, timeless feel.
2. Getting Ready Moments
These candid shots of bridal parties and groomsmen can capture the wonderful excitement, nerves, and bonding moments that happen before the ceremony.
Composition Tips: Look for reflections in mirrors, capture the laughter, and zoom in on little moments like a mother adjusting her daughter’s veil.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a wide-angle lens to capture group shots and a prime lens for more intimate, close-up moments. Natural light creates a soft, flattering effect.
3. The First Look
The first time the couple sees each other is a magical moment filled with raw emotion. Capturing those first look reactions from a couple and their loved ones can make for spectacular wedding photos.
Composition Tips: Position yourself where you can capture both reactions simultaneously. Keep an eye on facial expressions.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a zoom lens to stay unobtrusive, allowing the couple to fully experience the moment with minimal distractions.
4. The Ceremony Venue
The venue sets the stage for the ceremony, and capturing its beauty adds context to the wedding story.
Composition Tips: Take wide shots that capture the grandeur and close-ups that highlight architectural details and floral arrangements.
Best Shot Techniques: Shoot from different angles – the aisle, balcony, or entryway – to capture the venue's full essence.
5. Walking Down the Aisle
As one of the most emotional and anticipated moments of the wedding, capturing shots of the wedding party and the bride walking down the aisle are essential.
Composition Tips: Take pictures of the bride’s journey down the aisle, as well as the groom’s reaction and the emotions of the guests.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the moment. A long lens helps capture expressions without being intrusive.
6. The Exchange of Vows & Rings
The exchange of vows and rings is the heart of the ceremony and deserves special attention.
Composition Tips: Focus on hands as the rings are placed and on facial expressions during the vows.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a telephoto lens to capture close-up details from a distance, ensuring you don't miss any emotions.
7. The First Kiss
The first kiss is a classic wedding shot, marking the official start of the journey as a married couple.
Composition Tips: Center the couple in the frame, and be ready to capture the kiss from the perfect angle.
Best Shot Techniques: Use continuous shooting mode to ensure you capture the exact moment.
8. The Recessional
The newlyweds' joy as they walk down the aisle after exchanging vows is priceless.
Composition Tips: Capture the couple, as well as the guests' reactions and confetti or flower petals in the air.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a wide-angle lens to encompass the entire scene.
9. Family & Group Shots
Family and group photos can be composed and candid shots, with separate groups for the bride’s side, the groom’s side, the entire party, the children involved, and more. Given that weddings are a time for loved ones to gather when they’re looking their best, these photos can be some that couples and their families truly cherish forever.
Composition Tips: Arrange people in “layers,” with the tallest at the back and the shortest in front, and ensure everyone is looking at the camera. Go for group candidates, especially during the fun of the reception.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a tripod to keep shots steady and a timer for large groups to ensure everyone is included. Use higher angles for candid group shots.
10. Couple Portraits
Couple portraits capture the love and chemistry between the newlyweds.
Composition Tips: Choose scenic backgrounds, and encourage the couple to interact naturally. Don’t overlook couple-related items too, like just married signage and special areas for the newly weds.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a variety of lenses – a wide-angle for full-body shots and a prime lens for intimate close-ups.
11. Reception Details
Capture the decor, cake, table settings, and any personalized elements that the couple has carefully chosen.
Composition Tips: Use a shallow depth of field to bring the delicate details to life.
Best Shot Techniques: Experiment with different angles, shooting from above, straight on, and even from the side.
12. The First Dance
The couple’s first dance is a romantic highlight that’s often full of heart-warming candids and inspired reactions of their loved ones.
Composition Tips: Capture the couple's connection, the movement, and any special lighting effects.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a slow shutter speed to add motion blur, emphasizing the movement, elegance, and fleeting nature of the moment.
13. Candid Wedding Moments
Unscripted moments between guests and family make the wedding feel alive and uniquely genuine.
Composition Tips: Blend into the background and capture moments as they happen naturally.
Best Shot Techniques: Use a long lens to capture candid shots from a distance without interrupting the scene.
FAQs About Working with a Wedding Photographer
Beyond wedding photo shot lists, the best wedding photographers can seamlessly integrate with other vendors and overall wedding plans while creating the wedding photos of your dreams. To help you find the best wedding photographer for your needs, here are a few helpful FAQs.
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It’s generally best to book your wedding photographer 9 to 12 months in advance, especially if you're getting married during peak wedding season (or the busiest wedding months, like May and October). Early booking can ensure you have time to interview at least a few different wedding photographers and zero in on the ideal professional for your ceremony.
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Start by researching online portfolios, reading reviews, and asking for recommendations from friends or wedding planners. Schedule meetings with photographers to ensure that:
Their style matches your vision.
They offer any “extras” you want, like flameless sparklers.
You feel comfortable working with them.
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Discuss your shot list, timeline, family dynamics, and any special moments you want captured.
Sharing examples of photos you like, as well as your love story, can help your photographer understand you and your style preferences while dialing in additional details that could enhance your wedding photos.
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Wedding photography costs can vary greatly depending on a photographer’s experience, the location of the ceremony, and the specific services included in the package.
On average, couples can usually expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for an experienced wedding photographer. Keep in mind that the following can add to the costs of a wedding photographer:
Pre-wedding photo sessions, like engagement and rehearsal dinner sessions
More than wedding photographer on site to capture the big day
Drone wedding photographer
Wedding photo booths, flameless sparklers, and other add-ons
Let’s Talk Wedding Photography
When you’re ready to talk wedding photography, contact Deux Weddings.
With a deep roster of highly experienced wedding professionals, Deux Weddings is a trusted photography partner for upscale events, with exceptional talent in nearly every major metro across the West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest.
That makes us highly effective partners for couples and wedding planners who need turnkey wedding photography services and next-level solutions. It’s also why Deux Weddings is the wedding photographer of choice for luxury weddings nationwide.
Contact us for a quote, more answers, and fast responses. Our wedding photographers specialize in big and small events for nearly all types of ceremonies, including LGBTQ+ weddings.
