Ever heard of a wedding photography checklist? We presume not — but it’s actually a thing. What’s the point in arranging for photography, only to be disappointed because you didn’t make a plan around the outcome? There’s the need for your photo album to balance out with visuals on every moment, every passing second. And that’s why you need a checklist.

This list must be given to your photographer, so they know exactly what you’re hoping to see in your wedding photographs.

But the question is: “What makes a wedding photo checklist?”

 

 

A shot of Francois & Jessica’s splendid setup, shot by the talented Ghog Photography

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST

Wedding photography is tough. It’s more like a 12-hour day full of endless must-have shots and split-second memories. You can easily miss something if you blink twice!

Sure, this is the responsibility of the photographer, but it doesn’t hurt to get involved too. In fact, as long as this is a one-day event, with no do overs, you have to take control to get the output you desire. So here’s a list you can work around, in liaison with your photographer:

 

1. Before the Big Day

We’ve spoken a number of times on the prevalence of pre-wedding photography. It is a great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your photographer. Again, it gives room for trials & errors with poses and the likes. Pre-wedding shots provide you with professional shots for your wedding invitations.

Therefore, mark this first on the list.

 

2. Getting ready

The behind-the-scenes matter for your wedding portfolio. Make sure your photographer captures moment on:

• Shot of wedding invitation
• Bride and bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done or the bridal party having fun
• Groom and groomsmen getting ready
• Dress hanging, close up of dress details, jewellery laid out, shoes, bouquets and buttonholes/corsages etc.
• Bride putting on dress/veil with help from mother of the bride or bridesmaids
• Mother, father and bride portrait
• Family shots
• Bride spending moment alone
• Bridal party walking down stairs/leaving the house
• Bride and father in wedding car/walking to ceremony
• Groom spending moment alone
• Wedding ring shots

 

3. Wedding Ceremony

This is the most important and intimate session of the wedding. No scene should be missed:

• Shots of empty venue/church, including altar, flowers, interior and exterior details
• Groom and groomsmen waiting inside venue/church
• Guests outside and inside church
• Bride arriving in wedding car, stepping out of car
• Bride and bridesmaids at back of venue/church
• Bride walking up the aisle, Bridal party entrance
• Groom’s reaction
• Father/mother giving bride away
• Exchanging of vows and rings
• Participants such as readers, the officiant, musicians etc.
• The first kiss as a married couple, and the moment after
• Signing the register
• The recessional/couple walking back down the aisle
• Newlywed shot
• Greeting guests outside venue
• Couple in the back seat of wedding car

 

 

4. Post-Ceremony Shots

Right after the main event, there should be special, one-on-one pictures and group ones with the couple. This session shouldn’t take too long if you went through the first step — pre-wedding shoot where poses are rehearsed in advance. But then again this also depends on the shoot’s location and the shots you require. Talk to your photographer to prioritize time. Make sure to prepare a list of all the people you want in the portraits, as well as the specific combinations you require.

It’s also a good idea to ask a close friend outside of the bridal party to work with the photographer on rounding people up. The main combinations are:

• Couple Shots: Portraits of the couple each on their own, and some with each other.
• Family: Couple with each of each set of parents, siblings and other relatives.
• Bridal Party: Couple with bridesmaids/groomsmen or entire wedding party (ring bearers, flower girls, page boys etc.)
• Informal shots: Shots with friends, any specific groups of friends, e.g. college pals, school mates, teammates.

 

5. Wedding Reception

This is the fun part of the wedding and nothing should be left anything out. Every laughter, tear, embarrassment, or hug could make great memories. The glam of your wedding is also featured in this session. Here are a few things to pay attention to in this regard:

• The reception space set up, before room fills up
• Details and room décor shots, including table settings, place cards, favours, centrepieces etc.
• Wedding cake detail shots
• Couple arriving
• Toasts and speeches
• Cutting the cake
• The first dance
• Bride dancing with father/groom dancing with mother
• Couple mingling with guests
• Guests dancing
• Musicians, singers, DJ
• Other performances

 

Wedding photography can be nerve-wracking, yet with proper planning everything can go smoothly and your album would be thanking you in no time 😉

Ghana Wedding Market is a first-of-its-kind online wedding shopping platform. Over here, we offer merchandise, services and ideas you would need to have the wedding you’ve always wanted. What’s more is we also give free advice to both clients and vendors whenever they need it.

Our services include:

• Photography

• Videography

• Venue acquisition

• Event Decoration/Styling

• Catering

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• Online Wedding Merchandise Shop

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• DJ Hiring

• Cultural/Urban Dancers Hiring

• Membership & Advertisment Packages and many more…

We often update our services list so do not be disheartened if what you need is not on this list yet.
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Experience working with us and you will look no further.