If you or a freind are taking the wedding photos here is a list of the key shots which you must absolutely try and get!
Before The Ceremony
• Bride and bridesmaids dressing (keep it G rated!)
A shot of the bouquets and boutonnieres prior to being put on. A good alternative is the slow zoom out, or reveal shot. Groom getting ready, horse playing with groomsmen. You can try some staged shots. A classic is the reservoir dog’s intro with all the groomsmen.
Or, the best man checking his watch in response to the groom’s question, or the best man proving he’s still got the ring in his pocket.
• Groom getting boutonniere placed by his mother
• Detail shots
• Additional detail shot ideas: Bride’s shoes, wedding gown on a hanger, bride’s earrings, and other jewelry, the details of the gown and bouquets, ring bearer pillow, flower girl basket.
• Exterior church. A nice shot might start at the top of the church steeple, and then pan down to reveal the entire building. Try to take architectural shots at an angle, not standing flat in front of one wall.
• Wedding party arriving at church. If the limo takes them, try to get a shot of the limo departing the bride’s house, and another of the limo arriving at the church. At The Ceremony
• Continuous roll of ceremony, from prior to the bride’s entrance to the couple’s walk down the aisle at the end. Ideally, use two cameras. Place one in the back third of the church, near the aisle. Start the other handheld, positioned on the bridesmaids’ side of the aisle at the altar Shoot the procession, letting the bridesmaids walk past your position. After the bride arrives on her father’s arm, move to a tripod placed behind the officiate and on the groom’s side. This gives the best shot of the bride during the vows. This movement MUST be coordinated and cleared with the officiant, which is why it’s necessary to attend the rehearsal. If the officiant won’t allow this, just place the front camera on the tripod from the beginning.
• Another tip on the processional: Don’t make every shot a pan, or at least not a full pan.
You really don’t need shots of people’s backs as they walk past the back camera and on up the aisle. Pan a little to keep them in frame, but as they get to the back camera, stop the pan and let them walk out of frame.
• Any special touches in the ceremony, like a solo song, unity candle lighting, etc.
• Reaction shots of bride and groom’s families, especially during the vows.
• Try a depth of field shot – For example, the soloist in focus with the Bride and Groom in the background out of focus, then gently shift focus to Bride and Groom… things like that.
• (At the rehearsal, I tell the Bride and Groom to stop a few feet in front of the back camera as they come down the aisle at the recessional, and kiss. This is a nice touch.)
At The Reception
• Exterior shots of the reception venue, if it is at all photogenic. Cutaway shots of flowers, fountains, statues, etc.
• Limo arriving at reception, and wedding party getting out. This one’s important. While you are setting up your gear at the reception, you or your assistant should keep a sharp lookout for the arrival of the bridal party!
• Wedding party entering reception. (This, and sometimes the best man’s toast, are about the only shots at the reception that I’ll use a tripod for.)
• First dance. This is the most important dance to shoot, and here are some of my tips for getting good dance footage: maybe twice, never thrice.
• Mom’s dance with the groom.
• Dad’s dance with the bride. This one can be a real tear-jerker, if you take a close-up with one camera, and a full shot with a second camera.
• Best man’s toast. This is best shot with two cameras, one on the best man, the other getting a reaction shot from the bride and groom.
• Cake cutting.
• Garter removal and toss.
• Guest book signings.
• Any other special dances and ceremonies at the reception. You’ll see stuff like the
Chicken Dance, Electric Slide, conga line, Hokey Pokey, etc. at many receptions.
• Interviews with guests.
• Interview with the bride and groom. (This may be easier to do if you can arrange a separate interview shoot, rather than trying to squeeze it into the reception when there are so many other demands on the Bride and Groom’s time and attention).
• Cutaways and detail shots – cake, presents, decorations, flower arrangements, the DJ or band, etc. Get a copy of the wedding announcement, and anything like souvenir napkins, etc. for later copy stand work. If the bar has a lot of glasses set up, shoot a detail shot through the glasses. Get a shot of a dinner plate being served. If buffet style,
truck or zoom-reveal the buffet. Detail shots of the Bride and
Groom champagne glasses. Centerpieces on the tables, and
anything unique.
• Romantic Moments.
• Children: Want to get a response from a child?
• Guests saying goodbye.
• Bride and Groom exiting the building and getting showered with confetti.
• Bride and Groom getting into the limo; limo driving away.
Have a great wedding!
