{"id":1590,"date":"2021-11-08T12:26:03","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T11:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/?p=1590"},"modified":"2022-05-05T08:34:46","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T07:34:46","slug":"22-must-have-wedding-photographs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/22-must-have-wedding-photographs\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Must-Have Wedding Photographs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creating the perfect wedding album<\/span><\/a> is all about telling the story of your wedding day through a mixture of details shots, candid moments and gorgeous portraits. When you hire a wedding photographer, you\u2019re trusting that they know how to get the job done and won\u2019t overlook anything. <\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s worth coming up with your own \u201cmust-have\u201d list of wedding shots and sharing these with your photographer to ensure you\u2019re on the same page. The last thing you want is to plan something special and not have it documented because your photographer didn\u2019t know it was happening!<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll share with you some of the shots that should be included on your wedding photo list, roughly in chronological order. But depending on the wedding you\u2019re planning, you can easily switch things around or add photos into the mix to create your dream wedding photo book<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1. The details<\/span><\/h2>\n

For most photographers, this is one of the first shots they\u2019ll grab on arrival at your venue as you\u2019re busy with hair and makeup. It can be one of myriad combinations including your wedding invitations, perfume, jewellery and\/or shoes, as well as any treasured items (something \u201cold, new, borrowed and blue\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2. The rings<\/span><\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s something that really deserves a solo shot, it\u2019s the wedding rings! Photographers with high-quality macro lenses can capture stunning up-close shots of the rings before they\u2019re delivered to the (hopefully) safe hands of the best man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3. The bouquets and boutonnieres<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once your florals have arrived, ensure your photographer captures some up-close shots of them looking their best. While the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets are often the feature, don\u2019t forget the groom and groomsmen\u2019s boutonnieres!<\/span><\/p>\n

4. The hair and makeup session<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on what time your photographer is arriving, you can capture some behind-the-scenes shots as you have the final touches applied to your hair and makeup. These can range from up-close candids to silhouette photos beside your bridal suite window.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5. With the girls<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re getting ready with your sisters and\/or best friends, be sure to grab some playful shots of you clinking champagne glasses or pillow fighting in your matching gowns\/pyjamas. It\u2019s a fun way of honouring your final moments as an unmarried woman with those who are closest to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Buttoning up the dress<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether it\u2019s being done by your maid-of-honour or your mum, it\u2019s worth documenting the moment your wedding dress is buttoned or zipped up. Similarly, you can capture images as your entourage helps to secure your necklace and earrings or helps to position your garter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7. Bride portraits<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019re dressed and ready to go, it\u2019s your time to shine during a bridal portrait session. This is you looking your freshest and most radiant on your wedding day, with all the expectation of the first look and the ceremony. If you and your future spouse are writing note cards to each other, be sure to document these moments also.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Groom portraits<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not only about the bride! Ensure your photographer has enough time to capture some sophisticated portraits of your groom or hire a second shooter to ensure nothing gets missed. Classic groom portraits might see him adjusting his cuff links or checking his watch in the lead-up to the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9. The first look(s)<\/span><\/h2>\n

Planning a first look session with your father or future spouse? This moment is all about capturing your reactions and heartfelt emotions. If you\u2019re having a first look with your partner, chat with your photographer about the best way to execute it – standing back-to-back or with one of your walking up to the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10. The veil<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re wearing a veil, it\u2019s worth making a moment of it as your father (or whoever is walking you down the aisle) places it over your face. It\u2019s a symbolic moment in the \u201chanding off\u201d of a bride and her transition into married life. <\/span><\/p>\n

11. The bridal party<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on whether you\u2019re having a first look session or not, the bridal party portraits might come before or after the ceremony. The benefit of having them beforehand is that it allows you more time for family formals and couple portraits after saying \u201cI do\u201d. While most photographers will capture classic bridal party portraits, don\u2019t be afraid to get creative and even a little playful during this session.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Varun and Sindhu<\/p>\n

12. Ceremony candids<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to the wedding ceremony itself, most of the photos will be authentic candid shots, with your photographer acting as a \u201cfly on the wall\u201d during the official proceedings. At a minimum, you want to get photos of you walking down the aisle, the hand-off, the vows and the ring exchange, as well as the first kiss after you\u2019re pronounced \u201chusband and wife\u201d. During the recessional walk down the aisle, we also love a dramatic dip and kiss!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Franziska and Daniel<\/p>\n

13. Bridal party celebrations<\/h2>\n

Once you’re officially wed, why not capture a shot of you kissing as your bridal party celebrate around you. Champagne, streamers and party poppers are great optional additions!!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14. Family formals<\/span><\/h2>\n

Traditionally, family formals are taken immediately following the wedding ceremony in a myriad of combinations. A top tip: designate someone in your family to ensure that everybody knows where they need to be and when so that the session runs efficiently (and doesn\u2019t eat into your portrait time).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15. Couple portraits<\/span><\/h2>\n

This is the time you get to sneak away with your photographer and enjoy some loved-up moments with your spouse while capturing gorgeous portraits along the way. Most photographers will guide you through this session with some go-to poses. But it\u2019s often those tender embraces and special exchanges with your loved one that result in the most memorable images.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Relic Photographic<\/p>\n

16. Cocktail hour<\/span><\/h2>\n

While you\u2019re busy having romantic portraits taken, your guests are mingling at the cocktail hour. Unless you have a second shooter, it can be difficult for your photographer to cover both comprehensively. But you can request that they get at least a couple of shots capturing the scene. <\/span><\/p>\n

17. The reception details<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before your wedding guests spill into the reception space, ask your photographer to take some photos of the decor and design. You want a mixture of wide-angles of the overall setting and up-close shots of the table centrepieces, documenting all of the details you\u2019ve carefully selected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

18. The grand entrance<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kicking off the reception proceedings is your grand entrance as you and your spouse are introduced as \u201cMr and Mrs\u201d. This is where you get that shot of you with your arms in the air, smiling from ear to ear. <\/span><\/p>\n

19. The first dance<\/span><\/h2>\n

This is one of the biggest photo opportunities of the reception as you and your loved one take to the dance floor to perform. Whether it\u2019s an intimate sway by spotlight or a choreographed hip-hop routine, it\u2019s a moment not to be missed on camera.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

20. The cake cutting<\/span><\/h2>\n

The cake cutting ceremony is one of those formal traditions that often descends into mayhem as couples smash cake into one another\u2019s faces. However you decide to do things, ensure your photographer captures a shot of the cake before any damage is done!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

21. Dance floor action<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once the official proceedings are over, it\u2019s time for everyone to hit the dance floor and you definitely want some shots infused with the celebration and spirit of the moment. If you\u2019re planning a bouquet toss or a garter removal on the dance floor, make sure your photographer has been given the heads up so they\u2019re in the right place at the right time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of the Beckoms<\/p>\n

22. The grand exit<\/span><\/h2>\n

At the end of the night, you might sneak away quietly or do something grander, such as a sparkler, confetti or bubble exit. For most couples, this means exiting their reception framed by two rows of guests, with a final dramatic kiss for your photographer to capture on the way out. <\/span><\/p>\n

In creating this \u201cmust-have\u201d wedding photograph list, we recognise that no two weddings are the same and many couples choose to incorporate cultural rituals that we haven\u2019t covered here. But we hope that it\u2019s a starting point for you to create your own list so that your premium wedding photo album<\/a> is everything you dreamed it would be and more. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Creating the perfect wedding album is all about telling the story of your wedding day through a mixture of details shots, candid moments and gorgeous portraits. When you hire a wedding photographer, you\u2019re trusting that they know how to get the job done and won\u2019t overlook anything. But it\u2019s worth coming up with your own […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":1595,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25,18,2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1590"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2059,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590\/revisions\/2059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pikperfect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}