Photo ideas for wedding day

These are our must-haves for family formals:

B&G + bride's parents

B&G + bride's siblings

B&G + bride's parents and siblings

B&G + bride's parents, siblings, and paternal uncles, aunts, and cousins

B&G + bride's parents, siblings, and maternal uncles, aunts, and cousins

B&G + groom's parents

B&G + groom's siblings

B&G + groom's parents and siblings

B&G + groom's grandparents

B&G + groom's grandparents, parents, and siblings

B&G + groom's parents, siblings, and paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins

B&G + groom's parents, siblings, and maternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins

B&G + bride's parents and groom's parents

B&G + brides parents and siblings and groom's parents and siblings

We'll also get solo pictures with each grouping too (AKA bride with her parents, groom with his grandparents, etc. - not just both of us with each group). Our photographer requested names for each grouping as well, so it'll be easy for them to yell out who they need for each picture.

I hate drawing up long lists, so we decided to go with whatever our photographer offers or what we find on various websites. We haven't really made our final decision on this, but this list looks good to me, it covers every detail. I want to have a Smartshow 3d video about our wedding afterwards so I definitely want pictures of decorations and small details, too.

• Invitation, program, special signs, & gifts
• Wedding rings
• Wedding dresses/suits
• Outfit accessories like shoes, cuff links, or jewelry
• Bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres

• Bride(s) and bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done
• Wedding party having fun
• Mother and bride/groom portraits
• Father and bride/groom portraits
• Family shots

• Couple alone for first look
• Bride(s) and bridesmaids/flower girls
• Groom(s) and groomsmen/ring bearer

• Venue shots including ceremony site, flowers, interior, and exterior details
• Groom and groomsmen waiting inside venue
• Guests
• Bridal party entrance
• Bride(s) walking down the aisle
• Groom's reaction
• Father/mother giving bride away
• Exchanging of vows
• Exchanging of the rings
• The first kiss as a married couple and the moment after
• Signing the marriage certificate
• The recessional (couple walking back up the aisle)
• Confetti throwing

• Couple with bridesmaids/groomsmen
• Couple with entire wedding party
• Bride(s) with bridesmaids/maid of honor
• Groom(s) and groomsmen/best man
• Couple with any children
• Couple with each set of parents
• Couple with both sets of parents
• Couple with siblings
• Couple with close family members

• Details and room decor shots, including table settings, place cards, favors, centerpieces, etc.
• Wedding cake detail shots
• Grand entrance
• Toasts and speeches
• Cake cutting
• The first dance
• Bride(s) dancing with father / groom(s) dancing with mother
• Couple mingling with guests
• Guests dancing
• Musicians, singers, DJ
• Grand exit

Hi Alexis! Here are some helpful shot lists you can reference for ideas:

A Wedding Family Portrait Checklist For Your Photographer