Photography checklist

Communication is key if you are to get the specific pictures you want on your wedding day. The couple make assumptions that the photographer can't possibly know about if it is not verbalized or, better still, submitted in written form.

Everything In Writing

Put all your expectations in writing, from when and where the photographer should begin the first session, the times and addresses of all the locations and including the hour the photographer expects to wrap it up and leave.
It is usual for the photographer to stay for the cocktail party but leave before the formal dinner begins. (The cutting of the cake picture is often quietly staged well before the dinner hour, even though the actual cutting of the cake will take place in front of the guests after the dinner hour.)

Collect Examples

Give the photographer a list of every picture that is important to you. It's also useful to collect styles of pictures you admire. The old idea that a picture is worth a thousand words is applicable when you're trying to establish a style.

The better the communication between you and your photographer, the better the result.

A Suggested Guide

Before The Wedding

• Bride seated and standing
• Bride with all her attendants
• Bride with Maid of Honour
• Bride with flower girl
• Bride with her parents
• Bride with her immediate family
• Informal shots of getting ready

The Service (if permitted)

• Bride's arrival with her father or escort
• Exterior shot of the wedding site
• Mother escorted down the isle
• Mother-in-law escorted down the isle
• Groom entering church
• Processional
• Bride walking down the isle
• Bride and groom at the altar
• The wedding kiss
• Bride and groom signing the register
• Recessional
• Informal shots outside the church of guests
• Close-up of wedding program

Post Service

• Bride and groom standing
• Bride and groom seated
• Groom with his parents
• Groom with the best man
• Groom with groomsmen
• Groom with his immediate family 
• Bride and groom with grooms parents
• Bride and groom with both sets of parents
• Entire Wedding Party
• Bride and Groom with brides parents

Receiving Line

• Many informal photos

Pre-dinner Cocktail Hour

• Bride and groom arrive at reception
• Bride and groom with variety of guests
• Friends signing guest book
• Parents with variety of guests
• Untouched tables with centerpieces, menus, etc.

Dinner & Dancing (if photographer is staying)

• Group pictures of guests at each table
• People giving toasts
• Bride and grooms first dance
• Bride dancing with her father
• Groom dancing with his mother
• Informal shots of guests
• Bride and groom departing