Free guide
Wedding photography checklist
A wedding photography checklist is the difference between "we got everything" and "we missed Grandma." Below is the full-day list we run on every shoot — five sections, ~50 shots, printable and brutally honest about what actually matters.
Getting ready
- The dress hanging in window light
- Rings on invitation or ring box
- Shoes, perfume, jewellery flat-lay
- Bride's mother helping with the veil
- Bridesmaids laughing over champagne
- Groom cufflink close-up
- Groom + groomsmen candid
- Letter or gift exchange
- Final look in the mirror
Ceremony
- Venue exterior + welcome sign
- Guests arriving
- Groom's face as bride walks in
- Processional — every family member
- Bride & father walking down the aisle
- Vows: wide + tight on both faces
- Ring exchange close-up
- First kiss (wide + tight, two bodies)
- Recessional
- Confetti or exit shot
Family formals
- Full bridal party
- Bride + groom with both sets of parents
- Bride's immediate family
- Groom's immediate family
- Grandparents with the couple
- Siblings only
- Bride + bridesmaids
- Groom + groomsmen
- Any special-request combinations
Couple portraits
- Wide environmental with venue
- Classic head-and-shoulders
- Walking away hand-in-hand
- Forehead kiss / quiet moment
- Detail: hands with rings
- Golden-hour silhouette
- Backlit against sunset
Reception
- Room set before guests enter
- Table details, place cards, favours
- Cake — wide and detail
- Grand entrance
- Speeches — speaker + couple's reaction
- First dance (wide + tight)
- Parent dances
- Cake cutting
- Bouquet & garter (if included)
- Dance floor candids
- Sparkler / grand exit
Frequently asked questions
How many photos should a wedding photographer deliver?
Industry standard is 50–75 edited images per hour of coverage. An 8-hour wedding typically delivers 400–600 finals; a 10-hour day 500–800.
What's the most-forgotten wedding shot?
Grandparents with the couple — often missed because grandparents leave the formals line early. Shoot them first.
Do I need every shot on this checklist?
No. Treat it as a menu, not a mandate. Cut anything that doesn't fit the couple's schedule and never invent shots to hit a number.
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