Essential Wedding Moments To Photograph

There will be many special memories to capture on your wedding day, but in order to get your wedding photographer to get the best photos possible insist on capturing the following shots… Before the excitement of the ceremony and the reception begin there are a few photos for the photographer to start with. The first photo has to be of the bride getting ready. There are many beautiful shots to capture at this stage and wedding photographers love capturing them. This is a good time to get a of the bride alone with her mother, photos of the bride alone with her father and a few photos of the bride, mother and father together. Before the wedding ceremony it is also a good time to get photographs of the bride with all her bridesmaids and flower girls. If the bride is getting ready at her house or at a hotel it’s also good to get a few photographs of her leaving for the wedding venue. There are many great photographs to get at the wedding ceremony of course! Whether the ceremony is held at a private venue, church or out in the country the ceremony is the most essential part of the wedding. The first shot should be the bride getting out of the car. As the ceremony unfolds the first photograph will be of the groom with his groomsmen. Next would be to get photographs of the flower girls walking down the aisle and then a photograph of the ring bearer walking down the aisle followed by photographs of the bridesmaids walking down the aisle. The bride walking down the aisle, the bride being given away and the groom meeting her at the aisle are the money shots!

Getting a few photographs of everyone standing at the aisle are also essential. To capture the ambiance of the ceremony get a shot of the musicians playing and the candle lighting. Two more magical moments are the exchanging of the wedding rings and a photograph of the kiss. Ask the photographer to get photos of the bride and groom walking down the aisle, the crowd outside receiving them, the crowd throwing petals and confetti, the bride and groom outside and the bride and groom as they get into the car and drive off.

Before the reception is time to get all the classic shots of all those in the bridal party as guest socialise with champagne and canapés. Get lots of photographs of the bride and groom alone and try varying the scenery and making the most of this time. Then get photographs of the bride and groom with his parents and then photos of the bride and groom with her parents and then photographs with the grandparents as well. Take photographs with the groom’s family followed by photographs with the bride’s family. It is also nice to get some shots of the bride and groom with the rest of the guests followed by them walking into the reception venue.

The reception is where the fun starts! But before the party gets carried away and the photographer packs away his camera insist on him taking a few photographs of the reception. On the dance floor make sure he gets photographs of the bride and groom’s first dance, the bride dancing with her father and the groom dancing with his mother and also a few of the guests letting loose on the dance floor. If there is a band playing get a shot of them, a shot of the cake table, the cutting of the cake and the bride and the groom chatting to guests. Get a shot of the best man making his speech as well as any other speakers. Finally get a photograph of the throwing of the bouquet and the catching of the bouquet and as the couple leave the venue. Ask the photographer to get to try capturing the details and style of your wedding by asking them to photograph the invitation close-up, escort card table, favors on table, bouquet and centerpieces close-ups.