26 Wedding Photo Ideas That Will Inspire You
From your grand entrance to your reception, these photo ideas are the ones you want on your shot list.
In today's day and age, we're all about snapping and filming everything under the sun, from that mid-week brunch to our pet's Oscar-worthy antics. So naturally, when it comes to tying the knot, recording your wedding in glorious 4K Ultra HD is practically a civic duty.
Good thing you hired a wedding photographer to ensure every glorious moment is captured for your wedding photo album!
Even though your pro will have a standard list of must-take shots, it's still important to discuss your unique photo ops ahead of time. Sure, they'll get the basics, but communicating the additional shots you want is essential. This way they’ll know where to direct your budget so you can avoid a wedding album with too many pictures of your Aunt Mildred's interpretive dance.
Need a little creative juice? Check out these 26 wedding photo ideas that'll set off fireworks of aesthetic brilliance just in time for your grand entrance down the aisle.
This little piece of paper isn't just a heads-up that you're hitching; it's a tiny canvas that screams, "Hey world, we're about to adult so hard!" Chat it up with your photographer about the vibe you're aiming for. Are you thinking sleek and simple, like your love story, or are you leaning towards a floral explosion that says, "We're fancy, but not too fancy to have fun"? Every teeny-tiny detail matters, because this card is basically your prequel to the blockbuster of your wedding day.
Some photographers will snap the invitation suite on the wedding morning, while others prefer to do it afterward in their studio, where the lighting is perfect.
Your photographer will usually show up a few hours before the ceremony, and depending on how many pros you choose to hire to have on the scene, they'll probably send one to capture each partner's pre-wedding antics.
Letting your photographer crash the makeup party guarantees you'll snag priceless snapshots of the bride becoming a princess, the groom turning into a dapper dude, and the whole squad glamming up for their red-carpet moment down the aisle. These transformation pics are like time capsules of fabulousness.
If you spent a lot of time meticulously curating your accessories like a museum curator deciding which priceless artifact goes where. Hairpieces, earrings, bracelets, cufflinks, ties — then you’ll want to be sure to have your photographer get plenty of detail shots.
You may also want to get a composed shot of your "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” The perfect blend of sentimentality and style!
You probably put a lot of thought into your shoes too, so make sure your photographer gets a fab snap of them, as well. If you're trying to whittle down your photo list, you can have them shot with your other accessories instead of separately.
Before you lovebirds get all dolled up for the ceremony, invite your photographer to snap a pic of your wedding garments, like a dress or tuxedo, on the hangers or dress forms.
Now comes the moment—that special moment the bride puts on her dress, after months of searching and all those fittings.
A heartfelt photo would be your photographer capturing the moment your mom or maid of honor lovingly zips up your gown, a tender touch before the ceremony.
For the groom, a touching shot would be him surrounded by his parents or groomsmen as they help him tie his tie, symbolizing their support and love on this special day.
With your hair and makeup done and that stunning wedding attire on, it's time to capture your full look. Nervous about posing solo? Relax! Your photographer will guide you through it, and you’ll treasure the gorgeous shots of you looking absolutely radiant on your big day. And your photographer will be sure to snap portraits of your soon-to-be spouse, too!
If you’re rocking a veil for the ceremony, make sure your photographer captures it from every angle—front, back, and sideways. It’s only on for a short time, so get those shots in while you can.
A wedding bouquet is the cherry on top of your wedding look, and whether your flowers are extravagant or simple, they’re essential for your wedding photos.
Plus, since you’ll be giving (or tossing) your bouquet to some lucky guest later on, you definitely want to get a great shot of it to keep for yourself!
The people standing next to you deserve their time to shine, too, so make sure your photographer takes some individual shots of the wedding party looking dapper, too.
The rings are the entire point of the wedding—your everlasting bond as spouses, so make sure your photographer captures them in the most heavenly light possible. Consider showcasing them on a pillow or in the gentle grasp of the ring bearer.
And the boutonnières might be pint-sized, but they still deserve some love. They often look nice paired with rings.
Some couples are totally gung-ho for a first look, while others are like, "Nah, aisle surprise it is.” And, hey, it's your call! If you go for the first look, make sure your photographer’s on standby to capture the emotional reaction to seeing each other.
Tell your photographer to snag a landscape shot of the spot where all the magic happens. You've poured a lot of love, effort, and cash into that ceremony space, so make sure to capture every inch of its beauty!
Whether you’re escorted by your mom, dad, friend or other family member (or going solo!) savor this moment—it’s one that’s likely filled with joy and tears. And one you’ll want to frame and show off.
Tell your photographer to switch to sports mode to capture this pivotal moment, because the ring exchange is when things really get serious!
When the crowd goes wild, you know the newlyweds have just sealed the deal with their first kiss. Having it on camera will definitely bring a smile to your face when you reminisce about this heartwarming and memorable moment! (PS: You’ll want to ask your officiant to duck out of the frame for this one).
Whether you go traditional and have friends and family toss flower petals or confetti, or go more modern and have them wave sparklers or ribbons, blow bubbles or ring bells after you’ve been introduced as a married couple for the first time—this moment is definitely one made for the album. Those spontaneous grins are guaranteed to make your photos pop.
After you put a ring on it, send your guests to cocktail hour so you can sneak out with your photographer for some photos of just the two of you. This is your chance to have a moment alone as a newly married couple before the rush of the reception, and snag some epic memories to hang on your wall.
Make sure to gather the whole wedding crew, and various family members, for any group photos you want taken before everyone gets sweaty at the reception. These are the folks you love the most, so having a shot of everyone together will be a fun reminder of who you let crash the big day!
If you've got kiddos in your wedding squad, be sure to add having your photographer snap photos of them to your list—both with the couple and solo. Little ones grow up faster than a TikTok trend goes in and out of style, so you’ll cherish these memories of them while they're still pint-sized and adorable!
Just like with your ceremony, a lot of planning probably went into this—so make sure your photographer knows which details to focus on (i.e. the ones that mean the most to you). From the creative escort card displays to quirky bars, reception backdrops, and even the fancy place settings and centerpieces—these are the VIPs of your reception. Get them all, both with and without the guests, because you’ll want to look back on every epic detail long after the cake is gone and the dance floor is cleared.
Don’t forget to get a pic of your cake before you cut into it—and, of course, the cutting and cake smash if you choose to do it (many modern couples opt to skip this these days).
You don’t need to be a pro dancer to impress the crowd with your adorable first dance as a married couple—it's all about celebrating this monumental moment and having a blast.
If you are doing mother-son dance and father-daughter dances (or any other variations of these), be sure to include this on your shot list, as well.
Once the party kicks off, make sure your photographer is on standby to capture all the spontaneous fun in action. The more natural and unscripted, the juicier the photos will be!
Just like with the garter toss, the bouquet toss has gone out of fashion at many modern weddings, but can still be fun. If you choose to do it, be sure your photographer is primed and ready to capture the intense showdown.
Your photographer’s got one last task: snap a dreamy shot of you two exiting the reception and stepping into happily-ever-after. Think sparklers or cars adorned with a “just married” sign; this is where you want to go out with a bang.
So there you have it! Wedding shot list inspiration to guide your photographer in capturing every moment of your celebration. You can thank us for the most epic wedding photo album ever later.
PS: It’s SO easy to create duplicates to gift family and your bridal party after the wedding. Here’s how:
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