Essential Wedding Day Photo Guide, From First Look to Exit

From The Archives:

When the cake has been cut and the last dance has been danced, your wedding photos remain for a lifetime, capturing the essence, emotion, and the little in-between moments that made your day so special. That’s why a thoughtful wedding day photo guide is essential. It ensures your photographer captures everything from the first look to the final farewell, plus the candid glances, joyful tears, and luxe details that make your wedding day uniquely yours. Whether your celebration is a grand ballroom affair or an intimate garden celebration, having a curated shot list is key to preserving the story of your day.

To help you get inspired, we’ve gathered an essential wedding day photo guide from the archives of must-have photographed moments you won’t want to miss.

1. Prep Time

• Bridal gown hanging on a personalized hanger, from a mantle, decorative door frame, or in front of a window.
• Flat-lay shot of the bride’s shoes, accessories, perfume, and jewelry. Alternative: flat-lay shot of the bride’s “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
• Flat-lay of the wedding invitation.
• The mother of the bride assists the bride with dressing—buttoning the back of the dress, affixing the bride’s veil, slipping on the bride’s shoes, and securing the clasp on a bracelet or necklace.
• Bride and bridesmaids in matching pajamas, sitting together on a hotel-room bed or bridal suite sofa, or lined up with Champagne flutes in hand.
• Bride getting her hair and makeup done.
• Bride and bridesmaids in wedding day attire, hair and makeup, posing formally and informally (looking at one another, laughing, hugging, etc.)
• Father of the bride getting his first look at her in the gown.
• Groom adjusting his tie, watch, cufflinks, and/or pocket square.
• Groom and groomsmen around a billiards table or hanging out together in the groom’s lounge.
• Groom and groomsmen in wedding day attire, posing together formally and informally (laughing, showing off fun patterned socks, pretending to ogle the groom’s “engagement ring,” etc.)
• Groom reading a private love note from his bride-to-be.
• First look, or alternating bride and groom holding hands around a door or corner.

2. I Do’s

• Looking down the aisle toward the altar, while guests are seated.
• Bridesmaids standing in formation holding their bouquets.
• Groomsmen standing in formation.
• Flower girls and/or ring bearer or sign-carrier, i.e., “Here she comes!”
• Bride’s procession, both close-up face shots and wide shots.
• Groom’s reaction to the bride’s processional.
• Wide shot of altar, including the bride, groom, officiant, and bridal party.
• Exchange of vows, including close-up shots that capture tears and/or laughter, exchange of rings, and the kiss.
• Bride and groom recessional, hand in hand, waving at guests.

3. Room Shots

• Wide shots of the reception space that capture the ceiling decor, tables, and dance floor.
• Tabletop detail shots: entire table, place settings, table numbers, centerpieces, chair decor.
• Cake table.
• Guestbook table or sign-in station.
• Decor highlights: signage, floral chandeliers, flower walls, lanterns or candles, gobos, LED projections, lounge furniture, vases or flower urns, rustic or vintage props.

4. Party People

• The newlyweds making their entrance.
• First dance as newlyweds.
• Father-daughter dance, mother-son dance
• Band or DJ performing.
• The photo booth or selfie station.
• The bride and groom cutting the wedding cake.
• The bride dancing with her bridesmaids.
• Romantic moments between bride and groom during the celebration- stolen kisses on the dance floor, a quiet moment in a hallway or on a balcony, gazing into each other’s eyes at the table.
• Guest photos: chatting, mingling, sitting together at tables, dancing, embracing (every single guest should get at least one good photo).
• Bride and groom departures, especially with a sparkler sendoff!
• Bride and groom in departure vehicle, back-seat, close-up shot, and drive-away shot of the vehicle.

“Essential Wedding Day Photo Guide, From First Look to Exit” Spotlight WiH Partners- Photography: Elizabeth B Photography | Mandi Roach Photography | JMG Photography | Planning + Decor: KNZ Weddings and Events | Cake: Alchemy Bake Lab