Checklist: Photo Must-Haves on Your Big Day

If your wedding ceremony is a blur, at least you'll have the pictures. While great wedding photography ideas are countless on day as important as yours, there are basic shots you'll want to get to ensure that you'll have an accurate record of one the most important days of your life.

Wedding Photography Ideas for Before the Ceremony
Bride getting ready. Avoid shots that reveal too much of the "wizard behind the curtain" as a wedding is not a great time for an unflattering before and after shots.

Groom getting ready. These shots are mostly of the groom hanging out with his friends and looking nervous. Might be nice to get a few shots of the groom putting on his tie and his shoes.

The Reveal. Though some couples wait for the ceremony to see each other for the first time, many do it prior to the ceremony. This shot shows the groom seeing the bride for the first time.

Bride with bridesmaids. Make sure to get shots with each of the bridesmaids as well as the entire group. If you're into creative wedding photography ideas, try a few with your friends before the big day to practice.

Groom with groomsmen. Same as the bridesmaids, make sure to get shots with each individually as well as the entire group.

Bride with parents. If the bride comes from a divorced family, do pictures of both families separate and then together.

Groom with parents. If the groom comes from a divorced family, do pictures of both families separate and then together.

Bride and Groom together. Take a few now and then a separate set after the ceremony is finished.

Wedding Photography Ideas for During the Ceremony
Bride's mother being seated. Make sure to get shots of her dress.

Groom's mother being seated. Make sure to get shots of her dress.

Grandparents being seated. If you can, get shots of all of the grandparents seated together in the same row.

Bridal party coming down the aisle. Take special note of the gowns and the bouquets.

Flower girl and ring bearer. Tell your photographer to be quick on the trigger finger, as something funny is bound to happen.

Father walking bride down the aisle. You'll want individual and group close-ups here.

Groom watching bride come up the aisle. The look on his face is always worth capturing.

Guests watching the ceremony. Group shots and close-ups are both a great idea throughout the ceremony.

Exchanging of vows. Make sure your photographer shoots this from both viewpoints as well as straight on.

Exchanging of rings. Your photographer should definitely be primed for mishaps here, such as a dropping of the ring or a fumbling best man. If you aren't embarrassed by funny moments, ask the photographer to capture them on film.

The first kiss. Team up with your spouse to decide how you want this to happen on film. If you're unsure, ask other brides and grooms for wedding photography ideas that worked for them.

Wedding Photography Ideas for After the Ceremony
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony. Let your photographer know if you'll be doing anything out of the ordinary (raising your fists in the sky, running into the ocean). If you plan in advance, your photographer may have some great wedding photography ideas for this special moment.

Marriage license signing. Make sure to get each individual signature as well as the bride and groom reacting to the signing.

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