Wedding Photography Checklist



When you're planning your wedding day photography checklist, it really pays to think about it long before the big day. Having decided who the photographer is and what style of photography is proposed, it is now time to get planning who's in and who's out of the frame!

A planning checklist is essential regardless of the style. The photographer needs to know the names of key personalities and relationships, be they family or friends (or both!). The planning sheet is also used to discuss all aspects of your wedding day. The venues, who and where the different types of photographs are to be taken.

The list of possible shots is endless and only limited by your imagination and the photographer's ability to capture the images.

Feel free to download the checklist I have used successfully for over ten years.

Right-click to download this PDF file here

As the photographer, I use this sheet at the wedding interview which is usually 6 weeks prior to the big day, to make a shoot check-list for use on the day. You'll notice that the sheet includes other elements regarding the venue and meal timings. This prompts discussion about the suitability of the location (for taking pictures) and any plans for an alternative should the weather be inclement.

Depending on the required photography, it is then possible to advise the likely time needed to actually get the pictures. Factors to take into consideration would be the travel time between locations and the time of the wedding breakfast. A proposed timetable of events can then be realistically agreed. The best advice I can offer couples is to build in a little extra time for you to be together for a breather - it's going to be a long day and night....!

Having prepared a draft wedding photography checklist, it is emailed to the couple for approval. Sometimes there are some alterations and these are easily made before going to press. Sufficient copies can then be distributed on the day to enable ushers to help gather folk together for their part in the proceedings. Do remember to warn folk beforehand that they'll be needed or else they'll stop off somewhere along the road and everyone will have to wait!

You might like to have a more comprehensive list that you can use to collect your ideas before visiting photographers. Right-click to download this PDF file here

Tips for Brides

Let the photographer produce the checklists from the information you provide and then duplicate the original so that every-one is "singing from the same hymn sheet".

The list is not meant to be prescriptive - it is only intended as a guide and there will be many more photographs taken on the day. You can, of course, ask for additional shots as the day progresses and the photographer will be looking for those unscripted candid moments, which make some of the more memorable images.

Less is more

If time is an issue, restrict the number of groups to be photographed. You and your family (OK, Ma & Pa!) will probably want some family groups and, of course, these will fit into any balanced wedding portfolio. Restricting the number of formals will leave more time for you to enjoy your reception by "butterflying" amongst your guests. You'll enjoy the party AND your photographer will thank you for some great paparazzi opportunities.

Receiving lines can take a lot of time out of your wedding day

Receiving Lines

This brings me onto receiving lines. These are time consuming, you'll need 50 minutes for an average sized wedding of 100 people. Your family etiquette will determine whether to have one or not but rather like the previous comments about groups, not having one gives you more time for the p-a-r-t-y. If you are having a line up, receive everyone out of the wedding ceremony rather than into the reception. Why? I think it is torture queuing up for the wedding breakfast, particularly after a hot day in the sun. Opportunities for photos are usually limited due to folk bunching in doorways. There'll be many more chances of good pictures of people coming out of the wedding ceremony as space is not an issue and the photographer can roam at will.

Once your wedding day arrives, R-E-L-A-X. You're done the hard work, let the photographer and assistant aided by the ushers get on and do their bit. In my experience, there is nothing worse that a stressed-out bride trying to micro manage everything to the nth degree.

Tips for inexperienced or amateur wedding photographers

The night before it can be quite daunting thinking about photographing an entire wedding!

It is much easier to think of each section as a separate part, complete it and then move on. For this reason, the list is deliberately split into distinct phases of the day, i.e. at the Bride's home, wedding ceremony and so on.

Just before the end of your contracted period, run your eye over the list - have you managed to snap everyone and thing as agreed? If not, there's probably time to rectify it. It may well be that you simply could not do it for reasons outside of your control. PLEASE mention it to the couple and offer a solution BEFORE leaving the venue. Most couples are very understanding and appreciate your efforts. Discovering afterwards that you missed, for example, the bride's mother in all her finery would be unforgivable!







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