Comprehensive Wedding Day Photo Checklist

If a picture speaks a thousand words, this article may be worth millions to you as you plan for your wedding photographer's level of involvement on your special day. The going rate for wedding photographers is a pretty penny, and you'll be smart to get your money's worth.

When it comes to telling your wedding photographer exactly what you want for your wedding day, don't be shy. Those photographs will be yours to cherish for the rest of your life. They'll lift you up when you're down, and they'll remind you of your perfect wedding day and all your loved ones who shared in it. They'll be a treasured keepsake from the day when you and your sweetheart joined your lives together as one.

As you plan for your wedding day and the photographic opportunities that await, be sure you cover every base. It is better to be overly prepared rather than to look back and wish you had spent a few more moments getting organized. Here is a general breakdown of the highlights you'll want to secure in your photographer's itinerary. Don't forget to customize the list by adding special photos you'd like to have in addition to these general shots.

Getting Ready for the Big Day

Bride getting ready

Her accessories - dress hanging by a window, her shoes on the bed, her garter, etc.

Bride getting ready with mom

Bride getting ready with bridesmaids

Bride and maid of honor getting ready together

Bride and bridesmaids posed

Bride's bouquet

Groom getting ready

Groom with father

Groom with groomsmen getting ready

Groom and groomsmen posed

Additional photos (fill in your desired extra shots here)

At the Wedding Ceremony

Groom and groomsmen before the ceremony

Bride and bridesmaids before the ceremony

Nervous/excited bride by herself before ceremony

Flower girl / ring bearer before ceremony

Church or wedding ceremony site inside prior to guest arrival

Church or wedding ceremony site outside prior to guest arrival

Guests arriving

Guests awaiting the bride's entrance

Bride arriving at the ceremony location

Entrance of the grandparents

Entrance of the parents

Bridesmaids entrance

Flower girl and ring bearer entrance

Close up of flower girls / ring bearer

Groom and groomsmen in the front, waiting for bride

Musicians

Religious officials

Bride walking down the aisle with father or escort

Close-up of bride walking

Groom watching bride and waiting for her

Bride and father as she meets her groom

Sweeping shot of altar or ceremony location

Shot of bride and groom during vows

Close-up of bride and groom during vows

Close-up of bride and groom during exchange of rings

The couple's first kiss

Bride and groom during recessional

Bride and groom celebrating with guests

Bride and groom leaving the ceremony site

Bride and groom seated together in car or vehicle

Additional photos (fill in your desired extra shots here)

Portraits (Bride and groom, family shots, bridal party shots)

Bride by herself

Groom by himself

Bride and groom together

Bride with father

Bride with mother

Bride with each grandparent

Bride with all grandparents

Bride with parents

Bride with each stepparent, if applicable

Bride with siblings

Groom with mother

Groom with father

Groom with each grandparent

Groom with all grandparents

Groom with siblings

Bride and groom together with bride's parents

Bride and groom together with groom's parents

Bride and groom together with bride's siblings

Bride and groom together with groom's siblings

Bride and groom with both sets of grandparents

Bride and groom with all siblings

Bride and groom with all parents

Bride and groom with both families (all members)

Bride with bridesmaids

Bride with maid of honor / matron of honor

Bride with groomsmen

Groom with groomsmen

Groom with best man

Groom with bridesmaids

Bride with flower girl(s)

Groom with flower girl(s)

Flower girl with ring bearer

Bride with ring bearer

Groom with ring bearer

Entire wedding party

Additional photos (fill in your desired extra shots here)

Couple Shots

Bride and groom outside

Bride and groom with bouquet

Groom carrying bride

Etc.

Outdoor Shots

Bride and groom outside of church or ceremony venue

Bride and groom outside of reception location

Bride and groom posed

Bride and groom candid

Bridal party posed outside

Bridal party candid outside

Bride with groomsmen outside

Groom with bridesmaids outside

Bride with flower girl(s) / ring bearer

Group shot of entire bridal party outside (couple different poses)

Bride and groom hand-in-hand

Additional photos (fill in your desired extra shots here)

Reception Shots

Outside shot of the reception venue prior to guests' arrival

Inside shot of the reception venue prior to guests' arrival

Sweeping shot of the banquet room

Centerpieces

Favors

Escort card table

Guest book

Guests during cocktail hour

Food stations, food items, bar during cocktail hour

Bridal party entrance

Bride's parents entering

Groom's parents entering

Flower girl(s) / ring bearer entering

Each bridesmaid entering with groomsman escort

Bride and groom's entrance

Close-up of all the details - tables, wedding cake, card and gift table, place settings, champagne glasses, etc.

Head table or bride and groom's sweetheart table

Bride and groom with guests

Candid shots of many guests - especially grandparents and older relatives and family friends

Guests at tables

Best man toast

Maid of honor / matron of honor toast

Bride and groom's reactions during toast

Guests during toast

Guests on the dance floor

Bride and groom's first dance

Bride's dance with father

Groom's dance with mother

Bridal party dance together

Flower girl(s) / ring bearer dancing

Bouquet toss

Acquiring the garter

Garter toss

Musicians

Bride and groom cutting the cake

Smoosh or sweet - kiss after cutting the cake

Additional photos (fill in your desired extra shots here)