Wedding Day Checklist
In this section, we will go over how much time is necessary for portraits (bridal party, bride & groom, family) followed by a Picture Checklist to help you consider what shots you would like to have on your wedding day.
Portrait Timeframe
I wrote a blog on this where I laid out the details for portraits and how much time should be set aside for each set on the wedding day!
• http://www.88lovestories.com/blog/2015/11/9/setting-a-time-length-for-wedding-day-portraits
Picture Checklist
Use the checklist below to help you think of any additional photographs you want for your wedding day that I may not consider (ex: special portrait with a special relative).
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 preceremony
• 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 the 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