Must-have wedding photos list ahead! Make sure you print this, Pin it, email it, text it, whatever you gotta do to have it ahead of the big day! Read on to see which are the most popular wedding photos to have taken at your celebration and, while you’re here, subscribe, k?
What are the wedding photos you don’t want to miss? Which snapshots should be on your must-have wedding photos list? You’ve come to the right place because we have the ultimate list of photos to take on your wedding day.
Most likely, you’ll have more wedding photos captured than the fifty on this list. However, these are the must-have wedding photos you should make sure to include so you don’t miss the most important moments of the day.
And furthermore, you’ll be happy to have this guide because many of these snapshots are the ones you’ll be placing in your photo album, in wedding photo frames, and in gift keepsakes, so make sure you have them.
If you’re worried you’ll forget certain wedding photos you must take, or you’re worried you won’t have a good wedding photo list for your photographer, fear not: we’ve got you covered with the 50 must have wedding photos to NOT forget.
Let’s get started!
Wedding Photos You Must Take
We’re organizing this list of photos by time of day, starting with before the ceremony.
Must-Have Photos Before the Ceremony
Here is a list of the must-have wedding photos to capture before the ceremony begins. These shots are often taken early in the morning, as the bride and bridesmaids are getting hair and makeup done in the bridal suite and groomsmen are getting ready elsewhere.
1. Wedding Invitation
Get a close-up photo of the wedding invitation as a keepsake.
2. Wedding Program
If you’re having a wedding program, make sure you have an extra on hand for the photographer to capture.
3. Bride / Groom Accessories
Here is where you’ll capture some of the accessories you’re wearing on the wedding day, whether that means a special clutch purse for her, earrings, necklace, garter, sixpence, shoes, etc. For him, it may be a special watch, pocket square, bow tie or necktie, groom socks, dress shoes, etc.
4. Wedding Rings
Must have: up-close photos of the wedding rings.
5. Flowers: Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages
6. Bridal Gown
It helps to have a beautiful wedding dress hanger for displaying your gown. You can get one here.
7. The Veil
An up-close photo of your veil, especially if your mom is helping you put it on, is one of my favorite must-have wedding photos on this list. :)
8. Getting Ready
The bride, maid of honor, bridesmaids, and mom(s) getting ready
9. Bride with Parents
10. Bride with Entire Wedding Party Before the Ceremony / Getting Ready
11. Bride with Flower Girl(s)
12. Bride Getting Dressed / Final Zip / Mom Putting on Veil
13. Bridesmaid Reactions to Seeing the Bride for the First Time in Her Dress
A classic snapshot and so fun to have as a memory!
14. Bride’s Father’s Reaction to Seeing the Bride
Another classic… all the feels on this one!
15. Mother and Bride
16. Bride En Route to the Venue
Get a photo of the bride on her way to the venue.
17. Groom Getting Ready
The groom can be looking in a mirror and shaving or putting on his necktie, etc.
18. Groom with Groomsmen and Father(s)
19. Groom with Parents
20. Groom with Mom (Fixing Tie, Putting on Boutonniere, Etc.)
21. Dad with Groom
22. Groom with Best Man
23. Groom En Route to the Ceremony
24. OPTIONAL: First Look
If you’re planning a First Look, make sure you put the moment when you see each other for the first time on your list of wedding photos you must take. It is not to be missed (and it happens quickly, so have the photo button ready!)
Must-Have Wedding Photos at the Ceremony
25. The Ceremony Venue without Guests Seated
Showcase what the ceremony looks like without guests in seats, making sure to have a nice line of sight of the aisle, its decorations, and the chuppah or arch, altar, or backdrop in a clear view.
26. Close-Up of Arch / Altar
This is definitely a must-have wedding photo to capture.
27. Floral Arrangements
28. Guests Arriving
29. Ushers Helping Guests to Their Seats
30. The Groom and Best Man at the Altar
This is especially important to capture ahead of the time the bride is set to walk down the aisle. Is he nervous? Excited? Capture it in a snapshot!
31. Wedding Party Procession, Each Attendant
32. The Groom’s Expression As He Watches the Bride
Okay, of this entire list of wedding photos not to miss, this is one of the top five. This is one of the wedding photos I always look for in a Real Wedding because it’s such a powerful one!
33. Bride Before Walking Down the Aisle
34. Bride and Father Walking Down the Aisle
35. Entire Ceremony Shot of Guests Seated, Couple at Altar During Ceremony
36. Unity Ceremony
37. The Vows
Ah, the vows: definitely one of the wedding photos you don’t want to miss!
38. The Ring Exchange
39. I Do
40. The First Kiss
This is probably the BIGGEST and most important on the must-have wedding photos list: don’t miss this one!
41. Recessional Shot of the Newlyweds and Guests Applause
Must-Have Wedding Photos at the Reception
42. Reception Venue Before Guests Arrive
Have a snapshot of the reception venue all decked out and ready for the festivities to begin before guests arrive.
43. Place Settings and Centerpieces
44. The Grand Entrance of the Newlyweds and Wedding Party
This is a big one: you’re finally married! The entrance to the reception is definitely on the list of wedding photos not to miss.
45. Wedding Cake Cutting
If you’re having a wedding cake cutting, get at least one photo on your list of it. If not, have your photographer capture a photo of your wedding cake and/or dessert table.
46. Toasts
47. First Dance as Newlyweds
48. Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances
49. Guests Dancing
50. Final Song / Grand Exit / Sparkler Exit
If you have a special grand exit planned, now is the time to capture it. There should definitely be a final song or last photo made special in some way on your list of must-have wedding photos. It’s an important one to have.
On to you: what’s on your wedding must have photo list? Tell us of any from this guide or others you think we should include in the comment box below! We’d love to hear from you.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
