Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Wedding Photography Checklist for the Ceremony

Couples should discuss with their photographer the images they want recorded during their wedding ceremony.

Although a professional wedding photographer knows their job, a bride and groom should discuss their expectations for specific photographs so they aren?t disappointed when they look through their proof book for particular images. An unexpected moment might not get captured, but shots of scheduled actions should meet a couple?s desires.

Photographers working in tandem may have an easier time capturing all desired images and angles. Providing an edited checklist of the pictures a couple expects should be provided to photographers as soon as possible so they don't spend the day with pen and list in hand and missing photographic opportunities.

Pictures at the Ceremony Site

Think of these photographs as setting the stage, giving you a record of the environment you have selected or created to frame your wedding day.

  • Outside the ceremony site
  • Ceremony site without guests
  • Close-up of floral d?cor or other details
  • Close-up of the programs
  • Bride stepping out of the limo
  • Groom stepping out of his limo
  • Guests walking into the ceremony site
  • Bride and her father entering the ceremony site

Photographs of the Wedding Ceremony

You want a lot of pictures so you can select your favorites. Remember, some images may include multiple elements (bride and groom holding hands before the officiant with the canopy in view). If some of the shots below seem too stilted for you, then tell the photographer that you don?t want those images; why have him or her waste time focusing on views that don?t reflect the way you want your day recorded?

  • Ceremony musicians
  • Altar or canopy during the ceremony
  • Officiant
  • Ushers escorting the parents to their seats
  • Grandparents walking down the aisle
  • Groom waiting at the altar
  • Flower girl walking down the aisle
  • Ring bearer walking down the aisle
  • Maid of honor walking down the aisle
  • Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
  • Close-up of the bride just before her entrance
  • Bride walking down the aisle ? front and side shots
  • Father giving away the bride
  • Back view of the bride and her father walking down the aisle with the groom in the distance
  • Groom seeing the bride for the first time
  • Bride and her father hugging at the end of the aisle
  • Over the groom?s shoulder image of the bride
  • Over the bride?s shoulder image of the groom
  • Shots of the ceremony?s guests
  • Images of the Unity ceremony
  • Bride?s and groom?s hands as they exchange rings (a close-up may be staged after the ceremony)
  • Close-ups of the bride and groom exchanging vows
  • Wide-shots of the bride and groom exchanging vows
  • Bride and groom holding hands
  • Bride and groom kiss
  • Wide shot of the ceremony in progress from the back
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle

Photographs after the Ceremony

If your ceremony and reception are being held at the same location, you can skip these pictures. Remember to talk to your photographer about anything special you have planned so he or she can be in the right place at the right time.

  • Receiving line
  • Bride and groom hugging guests and getting congratulations
  • Bride and groom leaving the location of the ceremony
  • Guests throwing confetti, birdseed, rose petals; butterflies being released
  • Bride and groom getting into the car to go to the reception
  • Bride and groom in limo backseat

Engaged couples should consider the images of their wedding day that they find most appealing and important to them. Not every above listed shot is a must-have for every couple. While not trying to dictate every click of the camera, the couple can guide the photographer to know what they expect for photographs before the ceremony and during the reception as well as formal groupings.

Copyright Susan Caplan. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

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