My photographer asked me what pictures I want taken at my wedding and requested a list. I have no idea. What do I tell him? --iVillager Penny

our experts say:

While it's a great idea to give your photographer a list of shots you want taken (you don't want him to miss your grandparents, friends who traveled far to attend or that special shot of you and your mom), you shouldn't feel required to write down every last one. After all, you want the photographer to be creative and comfortable capturing special, spontaneous moments. That said, here's a list of traditional and nontraditional shots of importance. Choose the ones you want, add any others you can think of and hand the list to your photographer. Voila -- you're all set!

• Bride, groom and wedding party getting ready
  
• Bride and groom, separately, just before the ceremony
  
• Bride and groom when they first see each other
  
• Outdoor shot (if possible) of bride and groom together before or after ceremony (preferably walking across a lawn or city street, for instance)
  
• Bride and groom with her immediate family
  
• Bride and groom with his immediate family
  
• Bride with parents/stepparents or with each parent separately
  
• Groom with parents/stepparents or with each parent separately
  
• Bride with her grandparents
  
• Groom with his grandparents
  
• Bride with her honor attendants
  
• Groom with his groomsmen
  
• Bride with her maid/matron of honor
  
• Groom with his best man
  
• Bride with flower girls
  
• Groom with ring bearers
  
• Bride with her siblings
  
• Groom with his siblings
  
• Groomsmen affixing their boutonnieres (this usually requires some struggling)
  
• Bride and groom with his attendants
  
• Bride and groom with her attendants
  
• Bride with her bouquet
  
• Bride showing off special details of her gown or other attire (such as the train or bows on her shoes)
  
• Usher escorting guests to seats
  
• Bride arriving at seat, especially if she is arriving by special transportation (horse-drawn carriage, limousine, etc.)
  
• Groom walking down aisle or close-up shot of him at place at altar, before the processional
  
• Each member of processional, during their walk
  
• Bride walking down aisle
  
• Bride kissing her parents upon arriving at altar
  
• Bride and groom at altar (if photography is allowed during ceremony)
  
• Bride and groom lighting unity candle
  
• Parents lighting unity candle
  
• Bride and groom exchanging rings
  
• Close-up of bride and groom as they say their vows
  
• Special religious or ethnic customs during ceremony
  
• Groom lifting bride's blusher
  
• Kiss at end of ceremony
  
• Bride and groom during recessional
  
• Bride and groom holding hands, showing off their wedding rings
  
• Bride's attendants as they help bustle her train
  
• Bride and groom entering reception area
  
• First dance (and the dip, if there is one)
  
• Toasts
  
• Table shots
  
• Bride and groom sharing private moment during the celebration
  
• Parents dancing together
  
• Members of wedding party dancing together
  
• Mother-son dance
  
• Father-daughter dance
  
• Bride tossing her bouquet and person catching it
  
• Single women huddled together on dance floor before bouquet toss
  
• Groom tossing garter and person catching it
  
• Garter ritual (man sliding garter up woman's leg)
  
• Single men huddled together on dance floor before garter toss
  
• Bride and groom spontaneously hugging parents/best friends/siblings during celebration (ask your photographer to keep an eye out for these special moments)
  
• Bride and groom cutting and feeding each other wedding cake
  
• Any children who happen to fall asleep at the reception
  
• Candid, wide-angle shot of celebration in full force (if possible, have your photographer take a picture of the reception from above)
  
• Guests throwing petals or blowing bubbles at bride and groom
  
• Close-ups of food table (if buffet), ring pillow, cake and any other special items (Kiddush cups, seating cards, favors, invitation, etc.)
  
• Ceremony and reception sites, inside and outside
  
• A posed snapshot of everyone you can fit into the frame at the very end of the evening, all waving good-bye.
  

24 member responses

members say:

---

---

---

view first post | back to top | send to a friend | view most recent post

---