Share this list with your photographer to ensure you capture every special moment of your big day.
A wedding is a series of magical moments: exchanging vows with your loved one, dancing with loved ones, the laughter of friends… These are moments you want to cherish forever. Looking through your wedding photos is like being transported back to that exciting day. That’s why it’s so important to think ahead about the moments you want to capture. Create a list of shots that will help you preserve vivid memories of your wedding.
We’ve prepared a list of photos that every wedding album should include. But consider it a guide, not a strict rule. Your wedding photographers are true professionals who know how to capture the most important moments. Trust their intuition, even if some moments didn’t make it onto your list. Constantly referring to your list can miss natural and sincere moments, and the photos will appear too staged.
Below is a definitive list of photos for your wedding. Discuss it with your future spouse and your photographer to use it as a starting point for your photo shoot. By following these recommendations, you’ll have a wedding album you’ll enjoy looking through!
Focus on wedding photos details
Small details are a reflection of your love and the unique style of your concept. Be sure to capture them in your photographs! From stationery to wedding shoes, every detail is important and creates a cohesive atmosphere for your event.
- Wedding Details & Essentials
- Wedding rings
- Ring box or traditional ring thali
- Wedding invitations & shagun envelopes
- Wedding vows / pheras book / promise cards
- Program of the day or wedding itinerary
- Any sentimental items or family heirlooms
- Venue, Décor & Traditions
- Venue exterior and entrance décor
- Mandap / pheras setup
- Stage décor for varmala & reception
- Floral arrangements
- Welcome board, name tags, seating chart
- Getting Ready – Bride
- Bridal room candid moments
- Lehenga or saree hanging shot
- Bridal jewelry (chooda, kalire, earrings, bangles, necklace)
- Bridal shoes / juttis
- Bridal perfume
- Hair accessories (maang tikka, passa, pins)
- Bridal bouquet (if used)
- Mehendi close-ups
- Getting Ready – Groom
- Groom’s sherwani / suit
- Safa / turban
- Pocket square
- Tie or bow tie (if Western outfit)
- Groom’s sehra (if used)
- Boutonniere
- Cufflinks
- Groom’s shoes / mojris
- Groom’s perfume or cologne
- Ritual & Ceremony Items
- Varmala / garlands
- Pooja items and sacred offerings
- Baskets with petals
- Havan setup
- Coconut, kalash, rice bowl, and other ritual elements
Photos of the preparation
Don’t forget to capture your pre-wedding emotions, the excitement before the ceremony, and all the people who helped you prepare for this important moment. These photos reflect the wedding preparations and you in this exciting moment.
- The bride gets her hair and makeup done
- The bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done
- A photo of the bride and her bridesmaids in their finery, drinking champagne or just having fun
- The bride gets dressed, and the mother of the bride, bridesmaid, or another participant in the wedding preparations assists her.
- Parents’ first look
- Emotional photos of the bride with her siblings, friends, or parents
- The bride with her guests
- The process of care
- The final touches when the groom gets ready, such as putting on a tie, cufflinks, or buttoning his shirt
- The groom’s mother attaches the boutonniere.
- The groom gets ready with the support of friends
- A group photo of the groom and his friends
- Touching moments between the groom and his parents, brothers, sisters
Photos from the first meeting
The first meeting is a moment that will remain forever in your hearts. Photos should convey all the emotions you experience when you see each other in your wedding attire.
- The groom is waiting for the bride
- The bride goes to the groom
- The moment of meeting
- The couple’s reaction
- A couple hugs or kisses after first sight
- A couple looks at each other
- A couple holding hands
- A couple walking next to each other
Photos from the ceremony
The ceremony is where the magic happens. It’s the culmination of the day, and the photos should capture all the emotion and excitement of the moment. Here are a few key shots that are a must-have for your wedding album:
- Organizing a ceremony without guests present on site
- Close-up of the check-in area
- A close-up of the flower arrangements along the aisle
- Any other unique floral arrangement or decoration
- Guests taking their seats
- The guests sat down
- The couple’s parents walk to the registration area.
- The groom walks to the registration area
- Children carry flower petals
- The bride goes to the off-site registration
- The groom’s reaction to the bride
- The bride’s father gives his daughter away in marriage
- A couple stands at the arch in front of the registrar
- General view of guests during the ceremony
- A couple exchanges wedding vows
- The couple exchanges rings
- The moment after a couple kisses
- Guests’ reactions to moments of the ceremony
- The couple leaves the ceremony site.
Portraits and group photos
After you’ve exchanged vows and your guests have been invited into the Welcome area, it’s time for a photo shoot of the newlyweds, as well as pictures with your loved ones and relatives:
- A couple poses together
- A couple hugs or kisses each other
- A couple looks at each other
- A couple walks holding hands
- A couple looking at a sunset or a beautiful view
- The bride with her parents
- The bride with her immediate family
- The groom with his parents
- The groom with his immediate family
- A couple with both sets of parents
- A couple with immediate family on both sides
- The bride with her bridesmaids
- The groom with his friends
- The couple in full force with the entire wedding party
Photos from the banquet
Once the ceremony and group photos are over, you can finally relax and celebrate! Let your photographer capture every moment of your celebration:
- The appearance of your event venue
- Seating plan
- Guestbook
- Bar
- Recreation area, if included
- General plan of the hall
- Presidium
- Guest tables
- Close-ups of the compositions and numbers on the tables
- Dance floor area
- Cake and any other desserts
- A couple enters a banquet hall
- First dance
- A couple sits at the presidium
- Close-up of food
- A couple and their guests are having dinner
- Friends and family members make toasts
- A couple listens to speeches and toasts
- A couple chats with guests
- Father and daughter dance
- Mother and son dance
- Cutting the cake
- Changes in clothing
- Host and competitions
- Cover band or DJ
- Guests on the dance floor
- A couple dances with guests
- The bride and groom dance with each other
- A couple leaves a restaurant
- The couple’s car drives away.