Some Of The Best Wedding Photo Ideas!
The essential shots that will be treasurable and unforgettable when looking back through your wedding photos!
As always this might be your first time being professionally photographed and you may be feeling some ‘photo-related-anxiety’ on your wedding day. As a wedding photographer myself it is super essential to have a chat about any of your concerns and to discuss any preparations with your photographer. Afterall, if you invest time in preparing in the lead up to your day, you’ll be able to appreciate and relive every detail you spent so much time organising and dreaming endlessly about.
To help you already I have prepared a compiled list of awesome wedding photo ideas, including some very helpful tips to make you and your partner feel at ease when you step in front of any camera.
Want to ‘learn more’ about wedding photography? Click ‘learn more’ below to be directed to my wedding information page.
Preparations:
1. Hair and make-up essentials: In the midst of getting your hair and make-up done pause to capture the moments of preparation with your bridesmaids.
Tip: Work with your MUA to ensure a clear and clean space, be the focal point of the image with your bridesmaids looking on
2. Co-ordinating robes: Capture the mood of the morning festivities with your bridesmaids while you sip and laugh together.
Tip: Steam or iron robes beforehand for a crinklefree shot.
3. Presents for their presence: They’ve been by your side to support you through the whole process so capture the moment (and the reactions) when you give your bridesmaids their thankyou gifts.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal, sit on a lounge or chaise whilst doing this to get everyone together to share the moment.
4. Hanging dress:* Find a light filled space to showcase and hang your dress, be sure to use the height of a doorway or archway to your advantage. * Tip: Don’t neglect the details choose a hanger which compliments your dress
5. Admiring ‘the dress’: You’ve been dreaming of wearing this beautiful gown for months so before you slip into it take a moment to admire the sheer lacework one last time or run your hands through the delicate beadwork.
6. Getting into the gown: Capture an intimate mother and daughter moment as she helps you get fitted into your dress, if your lucky your photographer may even catch a few tears.
7. Finishing touches: Capture your bridesmaids assisting you in your final finishing touches, fitting accessories and slipping into your shoes.
Tip: These can be great opportunities to highlight and capture the finer details of your ensemble, a close up of your earrings, button work on the back of your dress, or lacing of your shoes. Details that may not be as clearly captured for the rest of the day.
8. Mirror shot: Nothing exudes romance like a mirror shot, whether by yourself or with your bridesmaids by your side.
9. Father of the bride first look: Whether in the bridal retreat or in another part of the venue don’t miss the magic of the moment when he first sees you ready to walk down the aisle.
Tip: Position your bridesmaids to be standing behind where he walks in and first sees you, that way everyone will be included in the moment and you’ll capture the delight of them seeing your response to him.
10. Adoring bride: Savor the moment and capture a final shot admiring your bevvy of beauties before you walk down the aisle together.
Accessories:
11. The rings: Choose to capture the rings by themselves or craft a flat lay featuring the rings, shoes and bouquet together.
12. Perfume: scent is the strongest sense linked to memory so be sure to capture a reminder of the perfume you chose to wear when walking down the aisle.
13. Shoes: Unless you are opting for a shorter or tea length hemline you may not see those gorgeous shoes for the rest of the day so be sure to give them their moment in front of the lens.
Insider tip: When photographing the shoes have a hero shot where they stand alone alongside one with your bridesmaids assisting in the fitting of them on your feet.
14. Poses for your posies: Nothing is more breathtaking than a plethora of arranged flowers photographed together, opt for photos pre-ceremony with the bouquets by themselves or choose to capture the florals together later in the day when taking the wedding party photos.
Insider tip: If you're looking for an alternative to flowers on your wedding day check out out blog on this very subject.
15. It’s the little things that make the difference: in all the merriment of getting ready be sure to organise for your photographer to duck out to capture shots of the bespoke aspects of your wedding set.
Portraits:
16. The veil shot: Be sure to take shots both with and without your veil, chances are you will be only wearing your veil for a portion of the day so you'll want to take the time to capture it in all its flowing glory.
17. The train shot: if you have a decadent or flowing train take captivating bridal portraits with the train positioned as the designer intended.
Insider Tip: If the venue has stairs use the varying levels to your advantage and allow the train to delicately cascade down the flight giving the illusion of height and elevated grandeur.
18. The piece de’ resistance dress shot: Capture, in detail, the feature that captivated you when choosing your wedding dress. Whether it be the plunging neckline, intricate beading or sheer lace work pay homage to the design element that took your breath away and made this dress ‘the one.’
19. The back of the dress: Nothing exudes sophistication more than the over the shoulder glance and the back of the dress shot. While most of the day will be spent photographing the front of you be sure to capture this alternative vista.
20. The fun and playful shot: Most of all your wedding day should be enjoyable, take the time to twirl in your dress, dance, strike a playful pose and just‘let your hair out’ for a moment - so to speak (just don’t undo all your hairdressers great work) and fully enjoy wearing a beautiful dress at a beautiful venue!!
21. Strike a pose: After you’ve relaxed and had some playful moments transition to the more formalised bridal portraits.
Insider Tip: Different angles will be your friend here. Capture the beauty of your ensemble (and the gorgeous woman wearing it) from all sides, including from above.
22. Holding the bouquet: Relax your arms and gently hold your bouquet at waist level, either looking at your bouquet or at the camera for one of the last shots before you walk down the aisle.
23. Model Pose: You need at least one shot that is ‘magazine cover’ worthy, work your magic and enjoying posing away.
24. Just chilling: Let's be honest. Most of the groom's party will spend the morning ‘just chilling’ and enjoying each other's company. These moments are just as special as the formal proceedings and the perfect opportunity to capture relaxed, candid moments.
25. Textbook accessories shot: Just like the wedding dress gets to have its own moment so does the groom suit or tux, along with accessories.
26. Getting suited up: Coordinate shots of the groom and groomsmen suiting up and tying their ties.
27. Capture the cufflinks: Cufflink shots are also a must for the album. Make sure you get some close-ups of the groom fitting his cufflink (especially if they are customized).
28. Boutonnieres: Snap a picture perfect shot to remember what they looked like before the festivities started.
Insider Tip: For an extra special capture have the grooms mother assist in the fitting of the boutonnieres.
29. Pensive reflections: Capture the fleeting moments of the groom and groomsmen getting ready and doing the final checks together in a mirror.
30. Toasting the groom: Scotch, whisky, whatever the drink of choice, savour the groom taking his last toast as a single man.
31. At least one serious/posed shot: We say at least one because this will often feel the most awkward or unfamiliar, but it’s an absolute must, and the more the better.
Insider Tip: For the Groom (and groomsmen) have them put their hands crossed in front, crossed behind their back or in their pockets - whichever feels most natural to them.
Guests/ Group:
32. Photos with guests: Cue candid celebration shots!! Chatting, drinking, feasting and enjoying the merriment together.
33. Sweet serenading: They help set the mood of the day, so make sure your musicians feature in the memories of the day.
34. Canapes and cocktails: Capture a shot of the carefully curated menu you delighted your guests with.
35. Classic shot: Centre yourselves in the middle of your wedding party with the bridesmaids on the left holding bouquets and the groomsmen on the right
Insider Tip: This is not the shot to be holding beer and champagne flutes. For photos with arms around each other make sure they are kept at waist height to keep suits in alignment and prevent gowns from stretching or delicate fabrics from ripping.
36. Seal it with a kiss: Steal a kiss with the wedding party behind you looking on
37. Editorial arrangement: You’ll need at least one ‘magazine worthy’ shot with your wedding party arranged to either be sitting and standing or at varying heights (again, the stairs at your venue will be great for this) with a formal setting.
38. Natural photo: Have your wedding party pose together as though they weren’t at a wedding, natural and relaxed, a group of friends casually enjoying the afternoon kinda vibe!
39. Champagne showers: Now is the time to grab those champagne glasses and pop the corks. Let loose and have fun with these final wedding party shots - it’ll set the tone for the evenings festivities.
Couple:
40. Intimate embrace: Hold each other close, breath the moment in and look into one another's eyes. This one is great to do on repeat all around your venue!!
41. Adoring gaze: Capture his adoring gaze while you look at the camera.
42. The over the shoulder lookback shot: Change it up with a relaxed gaze back towards the photographer while holding hands and a glass of champagne.
Insider Tip: Not only will it capture a more ‘natural feel’ to some of your couples shots but it’ll also capture the back detailing of your dress again.
43. Forehead kiss or Cheek kiss
44. Head on the shoulder: Take a lean and rest for a moment….and while you do, capture the moment.
45. Whisper in the ear and cheeky smile... enough said.
46. Hands around the waist: Hold each other close and have him wrap his arms around you. This style of shot would be perfect somewhere rustic.
47. Take a stroll: Enjoy the time spent taking portraits and capture the moments in between location shoots.
Insider Tip: If your tiring of a pose or feeling a little fatigued take a walk to shake it up and refresh the moment.
48. Lend a helping hand: Have your groom assist with holding your train as you stroll around the gardens, not only will it save the dress but it will make a great photo op.
49. The ‘I wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else’ pose: No posing required!
50. He’s looking at you: - Eyes only for you.
51. Veil Shot: Capture both of you under the veil together.
There’s of course a whole lot more shots that are taken throughout your ceremony and reception, however, this hopefully gives your some inspiration and thought on what to discuss with your photographer.
If you like to check my availability for your wedding day, by all means click here to get in touch.
If you like to view my gallery of my favourite wedding photos I’ve taken for more inspiration, click here.
FYI. This is me, Sabrina; owner and founder of S.P. Films.
S.P. Films
