wouldn’t have it any other way ; ;
Hey Wildlings, welcome back to Wildlore! As we are diving into wedding season, I wanted to touch on my go-to wedding day shot list. One small but important part of my job as a seasoned wedding photographer is to know what I’m looking for during a wedding day. As this is my ninth dedicated wedding season, it’s pretty second nature to me at this point but I recognize that clients who are NOT wedding vendors don’t always know what I’m looking for. Instead of sending me a shot-by-shot list for the day (which I absolutely never recommend, as it is both overwhelming and creatively stifling on my end), I create a unique-to-you shot list for your wedding day that I will be looking for and creating with on top of my to-go wedding shot list. That being said, the guide to creating your unique shot list will be in a separate blog but for now, let’s talk about my go-to, “always” shot list.
pre-ceremony
PRE-CEREMONY | Right off the bat, I love to start with details. While you all are relaxing and getting ready, my assistant and I will collect the wedding dress and the details you set aside for flat lays; taking close ups, collective and some individual shots of them.
- Wedding dress on the hanger
- Wedding shoes
- Bouquet + florals
- Flat lay
- Close up details of flat lay
- Ring shots
getting ready
Then, we will often move into candids of the getting ready process. This can be different for each couple but can range from beginning-to-end hair and make up to only finishing touches.
- Candid hair and make up
- Candid casual hanging out
- putting on cufflinks, boutonnieres, ties + jackets
- Putting on jewelry, veil, shoes
- Putting on the wedding dress
first moments
During this time, we might also schedule any first looks or first moments, either between newlyweds or loved ones and wedding party members. Wedding party and couple portrait timing varies with each wedding but for this examples’ sake, let’s say we are tackling all of these portraits pre-ceremony!
- First look(s)/moment(s)
- Individual portraits of each nearlywed
- Nearlyweds posed + prompted together
- Wedding party together (smiling, laughing, serious + walking)
- Each “side” – bride’s side/groom’s side/etc
- Individual Portraits of party members with nearlywed
ceremony moments
CEREMONY | Alright, we are walking down the aisle! Outside of any non-traditional or ceremonial additions, we are usually looking for the same things during wedding ceremonies. This will vary depending on each couple but this is what we are usually expecting!
- Room details (decor, signage, layout)
- Processional (parents/grandparents, wedding party + littles)
- Nearlywed down the aisle
- Standing nearlywed’s reaction (especially if we didn’t have a first look)
- Nearlyweds holding hands during the ceremony
- speakers, readings and/or musical performances
- Vows
- Ring exchange
- Unity ceremony
- First kiss
- Recessional of newlyweds
- Recessional of wedding party
The formal ceremony is finished at this point but we aren’t entirely finished with the ceremony itself, as we will usually sign the marriage certificate and do family portraits at this point.
- Newlyweds signing license
- Witnesses signing license
- Family portraits
- Any additional wedding party or newlywed portraits
- Newlyweds joining in on cocktail hour (candid)
reception moments
RECEPTION | It’s finally time to party! This is when we slow down on “moments” and get into more candid photographs. It is also a time when things get a little less predictable on our end and we start going with the flow of the crowd rather than adhering to a set timeline or shot list. That being said, this is what we expect to capture at most wedding receptions
- Empty room shots and details (centerpieces, favors, decor, table settings, etc)
- Grand entrances
- toasts/speeches/prayers
- Cake + Desserts
- Cake cutting
- First dance
- Parent Dances
- Tosses (bouquet/garder)
- Candid open dance
- Golden hour mini session with newlyweds
- Send off (if applicable)
the rest is all you, baby!
That’s it, more or less. Each wedding is truly unique to each couple so this “always” list would be considered a basic outline of what we always expect on wedding days. Like I mentioned in the beginning, we will routinely lay out a unique additions shot list during our pre-wedding chat outside of this list. That list will be very specific; important details, shifts in traditional wedding practices, recreating Pinterest poses and highlighting people to keep an eye out for. Spoiler alert, that’ll (hopefully) be the next blog published! If you had a vision of your wedding photographs that wasn’t covered here, you’d note that for your unique shot list! Another thing to note and consider is just because it’s on this list doesn’t mean you have to include it in your wedding day, which we might also note in your shot list. At the end of the day, every wedding turns out differently from the last and the more we know about your vision + expectations, the better!
Stay wild, stay tuned and don’t forget to save the last dance for me!
