This is my check list I use for weddings. Just look at any other photographers wedding poses and make notes next to the listed item. It may help to do engagement shots to help them and you gain the confidence you need. The more you are ready in your head the better the wedding will go. Relax and go to the venue and take picures ahead of time to see how you do. Don't let "THE DAY " be the first time at that venue.
Anything else contact me.
We are all here to help each other...or at least I am.
Blessings,
Faith Moore Photography


WEDDING PHOTO CHECK LIST

GETTING READY
· Bride's dress on the hanger or over a chair
· Close-up of bride's shoes
· Close-up of bride's bouquet
· Bride in curlers or having makeup applied
· Bridesmaids applying their makeup
· Bride putting on garter
· Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress, bustle the train, etc.
· Close-up of dress details
· Bride together with bridesmaids
· Bride hugging mom
· Flower girl(s) ready to go
· Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride, adding the veil, etc.
· Bride spending moment alone, thinking quietly, praying or looking out the window
· Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go
· Groom putting on tie
· Groom with groomsmen
· Ring bearer ready to go
· Groom with dad, hugging or whispering advice
· Bride and groom separately getting in the car, limo or cab

CEREMONY
· Groom looking out the window, waiting for the bride to arrive
· Car arriving with bride
· Bride stepping out of the car
· Wide shot of ceremony space from the back
· Guests arriving (especially if they're using special transportation like a shuttle bus, boat or even escalator)
· Ushers helping grandparents and special guests to their seats
· Front and back shots of flower girl/ring bearer walking down the aisle
· Close up of details (guest book, pew decorations, etc.)
· Groom and groomsmen waiting nervously for bride to walk down aisle
· Guests sitting down, waiting for ceremony to start
· Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
· Wedding party standing at the altar
· Bride just before walking down the aisle
· Back shot of bride (and escort) beginning to walk down the aisle
· Full-frontal shot of bride (and escort) walking down the aisle
· Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time (this can be done earlier, if photos are done before the ceremony)
· Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them
· Shot focusing on bridesmaids' bouquets, lined up as they hold them at the altar
· Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged
· Close-up of bride's face, as seen over the groom's shoulder
· Close-up of groom's face, as seen over the bride's shoulder
· Shot of both sets of parents' faces as they witness ceremony
· The kiss
· Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple
· Guests getting ready to shower the couple with well wishes (and bubbles, birdseed, etc.) as they leave
· Bride and groom walking out of ceremony space, hand-in-hand

BEFORE THE RECEPTION ? During the cocktail hour (These can be taken before the ceremony)
· Full shot of bride and groom together, smiling
· Full shot of bride and groom hugging
· Full shot of bride and groom kissing
· Bride being lifted or carried by groom or sitting on groom's lap
· Close-up of couples' faces as bride is lifted, carried or sitting on groom's lap
· Bride with her parents
· Groom with his parents
· Bride with groom's parents
· Groom with bride's parents
· Bride with bridesmaids
· Groom with groomsmen
· Bride with groomsmen
· Group shot of bride, groom, family and wedding party
· Groom leaning up against a wall with bride in front of him, kissing
· Bride and groom walking toward the camera, holding hands
· Bride and groom walking away from camera, holding hands
· Bride and groom looking off in the same direction together

RECEPTION
· Close-up of details (place settings, name cards, etc.)
· Close-up of centerpieces
· Wide shot of entire room before everyone arrives, even better if taken from above
· Any special moments during the receiving line process
· Bride and groom's first dance
· Groom dipping bride
· Bride dancing with her dad -- close-up of her face as seen over his shoulder
· Groom dancing with his mom
· Close-up of cake
· Bride showing her new ring to the guests
· Bride and groom hugging guests, close-ups of faces
· Best man (or other guests) making a toast to the couple
· Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)
· Guests smiling and clapping
· Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor. (Tip: Ask for a slow shutter speed to get a blurry/focused effect)
· Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive, even better if taken from above
· Close-ups of guests' faces, laughing and having a great time -- lots of these
· Groups of friends sitting together at their table or dancing
· Bride and groom whispering to each other
· Parents (or even better, grandparents) dancing
· Kids dancing or playing around
· Close-up of band or DJ
· Bride and groom cutting the cake
· Bride and groom feeding each other
· Bride and groom in back seat of getaway car
· Back of car as it drives away
 

This is great!! Im so thankful someone asked this question, because, ive done only 2 small weddings in the past, and i was very inexperienced, and didnt know what to do. Now that im more comfortable, and ready for the next, i still question what all to do. This list, and the one below are so very helpful!! thanks to all of you, this is great!!!
 

Here are some tips that I've learned in the past...hopefully they will work for you:
- Have a backup camera, even if you have to rent it just in case.
- Backup set of charged batteries
- Make sure to see if it is indoor or outdoor wedding. If you are able to go to the spot where the wedding will be, that may help you get some ideas.
- Ask for a preference from the bride/groom on when they want their photos done of each other. Some couples want to do them all before the wedding while others want to do their photos (of each other) after the wedding.
- Get the photos of the groom and his guys & the bride and her girls before the wedding.
- Ask your friend to designate a person that can help you coordinate photos (one that knows at least most if not all of the wedding party). You never know when one of the bridesmaid took off to the bathroom, etc.
- Get the unexpected shots, funny moments, a kiss, etc. Photograph the guests as a whole.
- I highly recommend any photos involved with kids get done very first after the wedding for overall group shots. That way parents can get them out of their tuxes/dresses because some can get tired in them.
- Dress so that you blend in with the guests - ask the bride how formal/casual it will be. You can usually go with a simple black dress.
- The bride will be nervous, no doubt about it. Try to make her feel comfortable.

Photo.net has a really good discussion board on more tips and tricks with weddings. Here is the link:
http://photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=2021

If you want more tips, don't hesitate to send me a message. I would love to hear everyone else's tips as well.
 

I've done a wedding before too. Did all my research and everything went well, but it was hectic pace (not trying to scare you). But having an assistant to carry your stuff around with you is a plus. Also, you'd have to go check the ceremony place, reception place for a view, just to see how the lighting is like etc. Getting more comfortable with the place makes it also easier too navigate later on.. It just helps.

How long have you been shooting for, overall?
just wondering.
 

Congrats - first off on your upcoming photo shoot.

I found it helpful to wear dress pants not a dress as suggested. (the first time I wore a dress and had to constantly adjust the skirt (as it was windy) and was a little more nervous climbing onto the rock or stepstool to take the photos. :)

Ask the bride/groom to look at thier parents or soon-to-be in-laws wedding album- in doing so you'll hear about oh - mom loved this shot - - and would love it if we could do something similar. In my second wedding I did this and it helped the feeling between photographer and parents. Knowing that I respected thier wishes. I did get the shot of the mom adjusting the veil (which is the shot *she* really wanted - as a special shot.) Since you know the bride/groom do not be afraid to ask them questions of what they would like to see in the end.

If you can have a second friend there to help out - with the equiptment/ running errands / checking out if any "interesting" things are going on. (ie: the friend is planning on playing a trick? "HELP ME" wriiten on bottom of shoes, mousetrap in garter belt, decoration of car etc.)

If it is a ceremony held at dusk/night you have to be insistant on getting the photos before you lose all of your light - it goes FAST! Knowing the top 4 shots they want - then go down the list. If you can get some of the shots before the ceremony if you can. Groom with groomsmen and bride with bridesmaids. Bride with her parents. Groom with his. These are possible to do before even if they insist on not seeing each other (this is another handy thing to have the friend help with - cell phone - OK We are around the corner - keep the groom from this section for the next couple minutes - okay to bring him in now... ;) )

The most succesful wedding I've done - I had another budding photographer whom I trust, take photos as well. He was with the groom and groomsmen taking photos while I was with the bride and bridesmaid. We took different positions during the cermony and got more shots without running around. We were able to catch more things that would have not been possible with just me there.

Hope this helps. I also carry three granola bar s ( no fainting brides - it's easy for them and you to forget to eat something) Bobby pins and safety pins, tissues (tears are pretty common) spare batteries, spare camera(borrowed), my 35mm camera with extra batteries and film, flashlight, water, and my MUST have list that I can cross off as I've gotten them. my stepstool and little notebook to write notes.

Looking forward to seeing your photos!
 

I've done over 20 weddings in the past year and I recommend not using a checklist. It's a really boring approach that is going to cause you to miss a lot of real moments. And, to be perfectly honest, nobody buys pictures of their dress, their rings, their shoes, putting the dress on, the families arriving, etc. Yes those are great to have and are great for an album but if you are just selling prints you won't have one order for those shots. Focus on the people and the relationships. Capture the true moments.

Have the day planned out in your head and know what shots you want before you try and take them. I always scout around the church and neighborhood before the wedding day so i know what I want to do and don't waste any time trying to figure it out. Also keep in mind where the lighting will be at the time of the wedding. Try and shoot in the shade when you can unless it's cloudy.

Most importantly just be in control. Have fun with everyone but let them know that you are there to do a job and they need to cooperate with you to get the shots. If someone (usually a groomsmen) is being difficult, just tell him to more he cooperates the faster you'll be done.

You can check out my wedding images on my myspace or at www.jarnaginphotography.com