Planning your wedding can feel like one giant to-do list. And somewhere between booking the venue, choosing the flowers and trying to remember whether you've actually RSVP'd to your own guests, there's the photography. So, here's a simple wedding photography checklist to help make sure you've thought about the important bits. Save it. Screenshot it. Send it to your other half. Let's get into it!
Choose your photography style
Before booking anyone, think about what you actually like. Do you want Natural, candid photographs? Traditional group photographs? Editorial-style portraits? Lots of colourful, fun images? A mixture of everything? Find a photographer whose portfolio already looks like the kind of photographs you'd want from your own wedding.
Book your photographer
Once you've found someone you love, get your date secured. Make sure you understand what's included in your package and how many hours of coverage you'll have. To secure your date with me, you will have to pay a deposit and sign a contract and then I’m officially yours!
Discuss your plans
Tell your photographer about: Your venue, Ceremony time, Reception location, Number of guests, Wedding party, Travel between locations, Any special plans, Any photos you’d be gutted to not have. The more your photographer knows, the easier it is to build a realistic timeline.
Make a wedding timeline
Having a timeline is essentially for a smooth day. You don’t have to plan minute by minute but it's useful to know roughly when you'll be: Getting ready, Leaving for the ceremony, Having your ceremony, Taking group photographs, Having your couple photographs, Eating, Having speeches, Having your first dance, Starting the evening party, And remember to leave a little breathing room. Wedding days rarely run exactly to plan!
Have your details together
If you'd like photographs of your wedding details, keep them somewhere easy to find. This could include: rings, invitations, shoes, jewellery, perfume, cufflinks, flowers and/or something sentimental.Your photographer can then photograph everything together without having to hunt around the room.
Don’t focus on getting photos
For example, you don’t want to spend the whole morning worrying about photographs. Enjoy it. Have a drink. Laugh with your friends. Hug your mum. Put some music on. Those genuine moments can make some of the best photographs.
Tell your photographer about important people
If there are people who absolutely need to be photographed, let your photographer know. I love capturing reactions!
Think about any surprises
Planning a surprise for your partner? A special entrance? Something during the ceremony? Let your photographer know beforehand if possible. That way, they can be in the right place to capture it.
Plan your group photographs
You don't need 47 different combinations of your family.Keep your group photographs to the people who really matter.A simple list might include:
Couple + parents
Couple + immediate family
Couple + wedding party
Couple + grandparents
Couple + everyone
Your photographer can help organise this so it doesn't take over your drinks reception.
Don't forget confetti!
If you're having confetti, check your venue allows it and find out whether there are any rules about what type you can use. And have plenty! Confetti photographs are always better when there's enough to actually fill the air.
The most important thing on the checklist
At the end of the day, the most important thing isn't getting every single photograph on a list. It's having an amazing day with your favourite people. Your photographer is there to document what happens—not make you spend the entire day posing for photographs. The little moments matter. The huge moments matter.And the completely unexpected moments matter too.
