Capturing all the special moments on your big day might be an easy task for a professional wedding photographer, however many couples often feel that something is missing when they have a look at the photos a few weeks later. This is why it’s always a good idea to go through a check list with your photographer well in advance, as there is nothing worse than looking back and realising that your favourite Aunt Rose has not appeared in a single wedding photo, or that you don’t have a photo of a certain detail on your wedding dress or a special moment you and your new partner shared.

• Hair, make-up, dress, veil

• Groom with groomsmen and father

• Bride with bridesmaids and mother

• Bride looking into a mirror or out through a window

• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Ceremony

• Bride getting out of limo/car

• Groom getting out of limo/car

• Guests arriving

• Church – outside and inside

• Groom waiting at the altar

• Flower girls/ring bearer

• Bride walking down the aisle

• Father giving away bride

• Altar and priest

• Saying vows, holding hands, kissing the bride, close-up of hands with rings

• Signing the registry

• Guests throwing confetti/rose petals

• Leaving the church

Reception – details

• Food

• Table settings; place cards etc

• Flower decorations

• Musicians

• All guests at each table (with bride and groom, or without)

Reception – other

• Bride and groom with and without family members

• Speeches

• Cutting the cake

• First dance, father-daughter dance, groom-mother dance

• Bouquet toss, garter belt toss

• Guests dancing

Newlyweds leaving

• Last dance

• Bride and groom exiting

• Decorating the car

• Driving away - ‘just married’

As long as you know that your wedding photographer will be covering these essential must-have wedding photos, you should be able to relax and rest assured that his or her creativity will capture the special and more personal moments in between.