*SAMPLE* Photo "Must Have" List

Sometimes photographers get caught up in the moment, go on autopilot or an accidental oversight can happen. If you have any images that are MUST haves for you or your family, make sure to let your photographer(s) know about them.

Feel free to PRINT this page, X what you're requesting & give it to your photographer.

Note from Ronelle: Some photographers may get annoyed with this, I for one give this same checklist to all of my wedding photography clients. It gives us both a sense of relief, as well as easy to list expectations.

_____Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress

_____Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace

_____The bride's garter

_____The bride's veil

_____A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress

_____Bride looking into a mirror

_____Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup

_____Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father

_____Bride hugging parents

_____Bride touching up

_____Bride and parents leaving for ceremony

_____Groom tying tie

_____Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father

_____Groom hugging parents

_____Bride and parents leaving for ceremony

_____Outside of ceremony site

_____Bride and father entering ceremony site

_____Parents being seated

_____Grandparents being seated

_____Maid of honor walking down the aisle

_____Bridesmaids walking down the aisle

_____Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle

_____Groom waiting for bride

_____Ceremony musicians

_____Officiant

_____Altar or canopy during ceremony

_____Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance

_____Bride and father walking down aisle

_____Groom seeing bride for first time

_____The back of bride & father walking down the aisle - w/the groom waiting in the distance

_____Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle

_____Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view

_____The unity ceremony

_____Bride & Groom saying the vows

_____Exchanging the rings

_____Close up of hands

_____The kiss

_____Bride & Groom walking up the aisle

_____Receiving line

_____Bride & Groom outside on steps

_____Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed

_____Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations

_____Bride & Groom getting in car

_____Bride & Groom in back seat

_____Bride alone (full length)

_____Bride with bridesmaids

_____Groom with bridesmaids

_____Bride & Groom together

_____Bride & Groom with families

_____Bride & Groom with entire wedding party

_____Bride & Groom with flower girl and ring bearer

_____Groom with groomsmen

_____Bride with groomsmen

_____Outside of reception site

_____Bride & Groom arriving

_____Bride & Groom greeting guests

_____Table setting

_____Bride & Groom's table (head table)

_____Guest book

_____Place card table

_____Closeup of bride and groom's place card

_____Wedding cake(s)

_____Gift table

_____Decorations (specify which): __________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table

_____Bride & Groom with college alums

_____Bride & Groom's first dance

_____Bride & Father dancing

_____Groom & Mother dancing

_____Guests dancing

_____Bride & Groom cutting the cake

_____Toasts (who is giving them) ____________________________________________________________________

_____Bride & Groom drinking champagne

_____Throwing the bouquet

_____Garter Toss

_____The getaway car

_____Bride & Groom leaving party

_____Bride & Groom driving away

_____Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a list of VIP's). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Shot List 

_____Bride with Parents

_____Bride & Groom with her Parents

_____Bride with Siblings

_____Bride with immediate family

_____Bride & Groom with her immediate family including spouses and children

_____Bride & Groom with her Grandparents

_____Bride & Groom with both sets of Parents

_____Groom & Bride with his Parents

_____Groom with Parents

_____Groom with Siblings

_____Groom with immediate family

_____Groom & Bride with immediate family including spouses and children

_____Bride & Groom with his Grandparents

Below is a List of Photos for Families with Single/Split/Etc Parents

Do your parents get along with each other/will they cooperate for family photos? YES   or   NO

_____Bride with Step-Parent/Mother or Father

_____Bride & Groom with her Step-Parent and Mother or Father

_____Bride with Siblings & Step-Siblings

_____Bride with immediate family including Step-Family

_____Bride & Groom with her immediate family including Step-Family, spouses, and children

_____Bride & Groom with both sets of Parents/Step-Parents

_____Groom & Bride with his Step-Parents and Mother or Father

_____Groom with Step-Parent and Mother or Father

_____Groom with Step-Siblings

_____Groom with immediate family including Step-Family

_____Groom & Bride with immediate family including Step-Family

_____Groom & Bride with immediate family including Step-Family, Step-Siblings, Spouses & Children

Special Requests/Things to know/Additional MUST HAVES:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pro Tips:

*Let your photographer know about any family dynamics that could be useful to help make your wedding day run as smoothly as possible! 

*Have someone you know and trust (who knows the family members) stand next to/near your photographer; provide this person with the same list of images that you want to make sure to get captured. Have that person "check off" said images as they witness them happen. 

*And most importantly, DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE, including your photographer, to rush you! This is YOUR DAY. Everyone is on your timeline, even if it's made up along the way;) Don’t miss capturing a moment because you’re afraid you're a bit off schedule. Today is about you, marrying your best friend.