The Ultimate Wedding Photo Shot List: Must-Have Moments You Don’t Want to Miss

When your big day arrives, you want every detail and emotion captured beautifully—from the lace on your dress to the joyful tears in your parents’ eyes. As a wedding photographer and videographer, I know that the best galleries are the ones that tell a complete story. This is why having a thoughtful shot list is so important.

Here’s the ultimate wedding photography shot list to help you feel confident that no moment will be missed:

Getting Ready

• Bride & groom attire hanging up

• Makeup and hair final touches

• Detail shots: rings, invitation suite, jewelry, perfume

• Candid moments with the bridal party

• Parents helping the couple get dressed

• First look with bridesmaids and/or parents

Ceremony

• Wide shot of the venue

• Guests arriving and being seated

• Groom seeing the bride for the first time

• The kiss

• Reactions from parents/friends

• Walking down the aisle (both directions)

Portraits

• Couple’s portraits (golden hour if possible)

• Full bridal party

• Individual shots of each party member

• Family groupings (parents, siblings, grandparents)

Reception

• Venue decor before guests enter

• First dance, parent dances

• Speeches & reactions

• Cutting the cake

• Bouquet/garter toss

• Candid dance floor shots

Bonus Moments

• Private last dance (if scheduled)

• Sparkler or grand exit

• A quiet, in-between moment of just the couple