Wedding Photos: Must-Take Shot List After The Wedding Ceremony

Whether you’re hiring a professional or a newbie to handle your photos, it’s always advisable to have your own ready-made checklist of the important times you wouldn’t wanna miss looking at later on while you’re currently busy tying the knot with your partner. Significant frame-worthy moments such as the dressing up for the affair, the limo’s arrival to the nuptial location, your groom’s expression while waiting at the end of the altar, the momentous exchange of vows, the first kiss, and afterwards, all the activities and happenings in the reception like the cake cutting, the dance and everything in between – capturing them all on cam is what defines a successful wedding from an unsuccessful one.

Start the ball rolling by getting your photographer’s ammo ready with a “must-take” shot list. Here is a quick guideline.

The Venue and Details.

• The banquet hall from afar and up close, outside and inside.
• The wedding caterer menu, the centerpieces, name cards, place settings and flower decors.
• The food, the signature or specialty drinks, the buffet.
• The cake.
• The favors and guestbook signatures.

Group and People Shots. This may be done right after the ceremony, during the cocktail hour or during the party itself.

• Portraits of the man and woman of the hour. Smiling, hugging, kissing.
• Her with parents, him with his and vice versa.
• Her with bridesmaid, him with groomsmen and vice versa.
• Them with the whole entourage, family, colleagues.
• The musicians and the band prepping and playing. DJs in the background if there are any.
• The wedding catering staff at the food center and while at work.
• Attendees partying.
• Children having fun and laughing.

 The Reception.

• The pool of guests coming in.
• The new husband and wife arriving.
• The dance. Them together. Her with dad, him with mom.
• Tossing of bouquet and garter or guarder belt.
• The cutting of the cake. Them feeding each other.
• Them eating. Or whispering and having their own little world.
• The toast. The person making it while the pair is listening.
• Per table. Guests per table with the couple.
• The party and the people. All the dancing and the performing.
• Them distributing souvenirs.
• Them leaving on their way to the honeymoon. Husband holding wife’s hand and assisting her in riding the limo.
• Them inside the vehicle – holding hands, or looking into each other’s eyes, all smiles and dreamy looks.
• The back of the car with a banner saying “Just Married”.