The Ultimate Wedding Photography Checklist: Your Wedding Day Must-Haves

Pearson Wu September 18, 2022 Photography, Wedding Planning bridal collection, la belle couture, pre-wedding bridal prop, pre-wedding photography, pre-wedding photoshoot props, pre-wedding prop, pre-wedding props, Singaporean bride, the importance of pre-wedding props, wedding collection 0

You only get one chance to record your wedding day and save it in a wedding album for posterity, so it’s vitally crucial to get it right.

Imagine how disappointed you would be if you found no photos of you and your maid of honour together or of the expression on your father’s face when he first saw you in your wedding dress.

A wedding photo checklist is a terrific way to make sure you and your wedding photographer are on what your priorities are.

Although your photographer will be an expert at capturing the key moments of your wedding day, no bride and groom are ever the same!

To ensure you capture all your ideal moments, let your photographer know about your wedding photography checklist. They’ll get the job done, while the newlyweds enjoy their celebration of love.

Not sure where to start?

We’ve compiled the ultimate wedding photo shoot list below, from bridal portraits and centrepieces down to the dance floor.

Wedding Photography Checklist: Before the Wedding Reception

Getting Ready

Bride

Wedding dress(es) on hanger (make sure it’s a wedding dress-worthy hanger!)
Bridal accessories (jewellery, veil, tiara etc.)
Bridal party (mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaids, bride etc.) having their hair and makeup done
Bridal party together in matching dressing gowns (if you have them)
Bride stepping into wedding dress
Portrait of bride with parents
Bride holding wedding bouquet

Groom

Suit(s) hanging up/ laid out nicely
Accessories (cufflinks, watch, pocket square)
Groom getting dressed
Mother of the groom attaching boutonniere
Portrait of groom with parents
Groom and groomsmen
Groom and best man/men

Miscellaneous

Wedding Stationery (save-the-date, wedding invitation)
Engagement ring and wedding rings
Personalised wedding flowers (bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres)
Outside of wedding ceremony venue
Table settings without guests in it
Key decor details within the ceremony room
Any personalised wedding decor

Wedding Photography Checklist: First Look

Some couples prefer the concept of having a unique “just the two of them” moment before the ceremony where they may see each other and snap pictures.

It’s referred to as a first-look shoot.

This is absolutely optional, of course, but many couples want to spend some peaceful time together and get rid of any pre-wedding jitters.

But the first-look shoot can involve more than just the bride and groom, from It’s a lovely approach to depict the emotional response of your family members and loved ones.

You may even conduct a “first-touch” shoot by holding hands and speaking to each other while standing on opposite sides of a door. First-touch shootings have produced some extremely moving images, so if you have the time, consider doing one.

Wedding Photography Checklist: During the Ceremony

Seating of parents
Groom walking to altar
Groom standing at altar (looking nervous/ excited!)
Flower girls and ring bearer
Bride walking down the aisle
Groom’s reaction to bride walking down the aisle
Arrival of wedding car
Bride entering the venue
Vows
Exchanging of rings
First kiss
Bride and groom signing marriage license with officiant
Recessional
Confetti shot outside venue

Wedding Photography Checklist: Post-Ceremony

Wedding Portraits

Think carefully about how many of these photographs are crucial to you because you don’t want to spend your entire wedding day sitting for formal photos when you should be celebrating!

Be careful to consider where you want these formal images to be taken as well.

Work through the details of getting the ideal backdrop for these particular wedding photographs with your photographer.

Portraits of the married couple
Couple with entire wedding party
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with groomsmen
Bride with family
Groom with family
Couple with close family members

If you have any particular friendship groupings you’d like to include in the formal portraits list, be sure to mention them to the photographer in advance.

They won’t know intuitively which friends are more crucial to capture than others.

Informal Shot List

More into candid photos?

Ask the photographer to focus on catching all the guests mingling and mixing naturally as the event unfolds!

Here are some key moments you might want to jot down:

Wedding cake detail shots
Toasts and speeches
Entertainment (magicians, dancers, games etc)
Cutting the cake
The first dance
Couple mingling with guests
Musicians, singers, wedding band and DJ
Throwing the bouquet

Preserve the Happiest Day of Your Life with La Belle Couture!

Once you’ve figured out which are the essential shots, you can convey your checklist to your wedding photographer.

They’ll know precisely what you want in your wedding photos, and you can get on with enjoying your wedding day knowing that a specialist is handling everything.

After your wedding is over, your images will be the memories you replay for the rest of your life.

Celebrate and eternalise your precious wedding moments in enduring keepsakes through the lens of La Belle’s acclaimed wedding photographers.

Ready to capture memories of your love story that will last a lifetime?

Get in touch with us for a free one-on-one personalised consultation for your actual day wedding photoshoot!