
Ultimate Wedding Shot List
Updated: Sep 1, 2022
Your wedding day is filled with countless precious moments and your pictures will be the only thing you have to reminisce your special day. The day flashes by, so a shot list should definitely be part of your wedding planning checklist so you can look back on all the memorable events of the day. We also recommend having a planning session with your photographer and planner 2-3 weeks before your wedding day to go through your day of timeline and shot list, to ensure you are all on the same page of the schedule, timing and expectations.
We compiled the ultimate must have wedding-day pictures that will the story of your beautiful day! Give this list to your photographer and we're sure you'll look back on your wedding day pictures with joy and satisfaction. Make sure to add and adapt this list to your personal style. Also, don't be afraid to research and pin photos you've seen online that you love and show your photographer as a reference. Do everything you need to do to make sure you are left with the fondest of memories!
Follow along as we showcase our beautiful couple Porsche & Michael and some of their beautiful wedding day pictures that they obtained by following this list

Amazing getting ready pictures are all in the details

Pre-Ceremony
Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
Bride and bridesmaids in matching robes
Getting ready candid moments
Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
Hair and makeup up close detail shots
Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
Touching shot of bride with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching shot of bride with sibling/s
Bride with bridesmaids
Bride with all the women
Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
Touching shot of groom with parent/s and/or stepparent/s
Touching shot of groom with sibling/s
Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
Groom with all the groomsmen
Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bowties
Intimate shots of bride and groom chatting with/crying with/hugging parents and siblings pre-ceremony
Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony (in a limo backseat, hailing a cab, walking down the street/hall/stairs)
Detail shot with wedding invitation, wedding program, bride’s accessories (shoes, earrings, necklace, bracelet, hairpiece, shoes, etc.)
Detail shot with groom’s accessories (shoes, watch, cufflinks, tie, whiskey, etc.)
Wedding rings, special signs, gifts, or letters
Bridal bouquet, corsages, and boutonnieres
First Look, first touch, first prayer




Getting all your bridal party pictures before the
ceremony is a great way to save time for other portraits post-ceremony

The Ceremony
A landscape shot of the entire venue.
Ceremony details and shots before guests enter
Guests streaming into the site
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Close-up of groom's adorably nervous mug waiting for his other half
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
Honor attendant walking down the aisle
Wedding party waiting at the altar
Groom walking down the aisle
Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
Bride and groom at the altar
Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from bride and groom's point of view
Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows
Close-up of bride's and groom's hands as they exchange rings
The first kiss
Wide shot of the entire venue from the back.
Wedding traditions such as lighting the unity candle, breaking the glass, and jumping the broom.
Bride and groom proceeding up the aisle, guests' smiling faces at their sides
Bride and groom outside ceremony site
Congrats shots: bride and groom hugging, laughing, and crying with good friends and family
Bride and groom leaving ceremony site
Bride and groom in limo backseat



Cocktail Hour
Formal Bride and groom portraits
Bride with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Bride with her entire immediate family
Groom with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Groom with his entire immediate family
Bride and groom with all parents
Bride and groom with immediate family members from both sides
Bride and groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom with bridesmaids
Bride and groom with whole wedding party
Bride and groom with officiant
Bride and groom signing marriage license
Any special performers


After family pictures, it is important to leave ample time during cocktail hour to take all those beautiful newlywed portraits that will be the signature of your wedding day


Reception


Reception room before guests enter
Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, cake table, favors table, and champagne glasses
Bride and groom arriving
Bridal party entrance
Bride and groom at head table
Parents' table
Guests' tables
Close -up of friends and family making toasts
Bride and groom sipping champagne
Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each other during dinner
Bride and groom chatting up the guests
Bride and groom's first dance (maybe with a slow shutter speed so the movement blurs the image a little)
Parents dancing
Bride and Dad dancing
Groom and Mom dancing
Wedding party dancing
Grandparents dancing
Kids playing or dancing
Musicians or DJ doing their thing
Guests going nuts on the dance floor
Any special dances or performers
Bride laughing with bridesmaids
Cake table
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Dessert table
Bouquet toss
Tossing and catching of the garter
Sparkler exit or formal exit
Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's backseat
Rear of getaway car departing


Make sure you book your photographer long enough to catch all the action on the dance floor you may not see!


Found this list helpful? Follow us on Instagram at j_ladsonweddings to stay engaged and connected with more wedding tips! Special thanks to all our amazing vendors who helped bring this magical day to life. Check out their Instagram below for your next event!
Wedding Planner J. Ladson Weddings - @j_ladsonweddings
Beauty Maame Wilson Hair - @glambymaame
Beauty Kendra B Makeup - @kendrabdidit
Beauty Ebone Nicole Makeup - @kendrabdidit
Beauty Lindz Stylez Hair - @lindzstylez
Bride & Bridesmaids Fashion LaRaine's Boutique -
Cake Sweet Cecelia's Cakes and Bakes - @sweetcecelias
Catering Simplee Amazing Catering - @simpleeamazingcatering
Cinema Willow Tree Imagery - @willowtreeimagery
DJ Jerome Stancil - @nakidfine
Florals Bella Luxe Bridal Bouquets - @bellaluxebouquets
Officiant Tre' Hunter - @weddingsbytre
Photography Jo Wooten - @wootenphotos
Rentals & Decor PEK Designs & Events - @pekevents
Venue 92 - @venue92