Capture every magical moment with these 70+ wedding photography ideas

Weddings are moment-by-moment memories and the must-have wedding photos just keep coming. Start your wedding photo checklist with the classics, like bride/groom portraits, wedding party group shots, and dance-floor candids. Add to that the rituals like exchanging rings, the first kiss, and tossing the bouquet, then group shots specific to your guest list, plus the most photo-worthy scenes around your venue.

It sounds like a lot! But, you’re not alone here—you can hire a photographer and also enlist camera-savvy family members and guests to snap away as well. Starting married life with a collection of amazing wedding photos, tailored perfectly for you, is a prize that keeps on giving.

Need help creating a wedding photo checklist? Here are our top wedding picture ideas.

“Getting ready” photos

According to Dr. Christie Chung, Cognitive Psychologist and Provost at Palo Alto University, “[You should] think of memories as storage for the future. You can come back and revisit that memory and use that to increase your positivity in your life. We want to save the positive things for the future…”.

The first wedding-day memories you want to safeguard are the exciting moments of getting ready. Photographs of the bridal couple, the wedding party, and family members and friends getting ready for the big day are among the first must-have wedding photos. They will take you right back to those pre-wedding moments of anticipation, setting the scene for the rest of the day.

Don’t forget these preparation photos:

• Wedding dress or suit hanging up, ready to be worn
• Hair and makeup sessions—these can include fun lineups of bridesmaids and closeups of the bride getting pampered
• Mirror shots with the bride or groom’s reflected face and the back of their head
• Putting on jewelry, accessories, shoes, or a bridal veil
• Tying a tie or bowtie—getting help from a best man or elder relative adds sweetness to these shots
• Putting on cufflinks or a jacket, buttoning up a jacket, adding a pocket square or boutonniere
• A bridesmaid or relative helping the bride with a zipper or buttons on her dress.
• Bridesmaids, groomsmen, or close relatives getting a first look at the bride or groom once they’re ready

Bride & groom portraits

The two people about to be united in marriage are the heart and soul of the wedding. You’ll want many and varied portraits of the couple both individually and together. Your photographer should have settings, backgrounds, and poses in mind, and it’s a great idea to look through their portfolio and other wedding portraits for inspiration.

Portrait ideas can include:

• Full-length shots of the bride/groom fully dressed and accessorized, from various angles and with different backdrops
• Close-up shots of the bride/groom from various angles, both smiling and “smizing”
• Sitting-down shots on a photogenic bench, charming chair, rustic wall, or sweeping staircase
• Outdoor bridal portraits with a veil blowing in the breeze
• A bride looking down at her bouquet
• A groom scanning the horizon, looking for his soon-to-be spouse
• The couple looking into each other’s eyes—get a range of expressions from laughing to gentle smiles to serene adoration
• The couple holding hands—both one hand and two hands, from all angles
• The couple embracing and/or the groom sweeping his bride her off her feet
• The first kiss, or second, or third…
• A bride or groom tucking their spouse-to-be’s hair behind their ear, kissing their forehead, or touching their face affectionately
• Hugging, kissing, or holding hands
• A ballroom dance-style “dip”

Arrivals & departures

Photos of the couple, wedding party, and/or guests arriving and leaving the venue belong on your “must-get” list. They make nice transitional pictures for a wedding album, adding a dynamic feel to the storytelling about your big day. These moments of arrival and departure are a good time to capture genuine expressions of excitement and happiness.

Here are some ideas for arrival/departure moments to put on your photographer’s shot list:

• The bride, groom, wedding party, and guests walking into and out of the venue(s), showcasing pathways, entrance ways, and doorways to set a sense of place and movement
• The “first look” moments, including when the couple first see each other, and when the mother or father, or other close relatives, first see the bride or groom
• The couple departing the ceremony venue as the guests throw confetti or rice, or sometimes bubbles or sparklers
• The couple driving away and waving goodbye, especially if you’re using a special vehicle like a vintage car, convertible, or horse-drawn carriage
• Shots of the couple walking away, taken from behind, including some where the bride or groom looks back over their shoulder

Ceremony & venue shots

Your photographer should capture all the key moments of your wedding ceremony from as many angles and perspectives as possible. Here are some ideas:

• The decorated venue before everyone arrives
• Closeups of the decorations, floral arrangements, and altar
• Scenic shots around the venue such as panoramic views, interesting architectural details, and any photogenic flora and fauna
• Guests arriving and being seated by ushers
• Closeups of guests, the bridal party, and bride/groom waiting for their partner
• The venue full of seated guests from various angles
• A flower girl, ring-bearer, and bridal party walking down the aisle from various angles
• The bride walking down the aisle with their awaiting groom in the same shot
• The couple together in front of the officiant
• Photos of the couple saying their vows, exchanging rings, and having their first kiss
• Closeups of the couple signing the wedding certificate
• The couple, bridal party, and guests leaving the ceremony

Wedding party & immediate family

Every collection of wedding photos naturally features the wedding party and guests, with opportunities for portraits and candids throughout the day. Most to-be-weds plan a photo session specifically for must-have group shots. Your photographer will need a list of specific names for desired group shots, so put time and thought into the essential groupings. These will generally be taken in the most scenic spot with the best backdrop at the wedding venue.

Add some of these wedding photo ideas below to your checklist:

• Bride and/or groom with their own parents/step-parents
• Bride and/or groom with their siblings
• Bride and/or groom with their grandparents
• Bride and/or groom with their children
• Bride and/or groom with their bridesmaids/groomsmen
• Bride and/or groom with their maid of honor or best man
• Bride and/or groom with other extended family or close friends
• Multi-generational portraits e.g. bride with her mother, grandmother, and daughter
• The whole wedding party together

The reception

The party part of a wedding starts with the reception, and so do the more lighthearted wedding photography ideas. Dancing, drinking, toasts, speeches, and cake-cutting all need to be captured on camera. Consider these reception photo ideas for your checklist:

• Shots of the decorated venue, both inside and out
• Details like place cards, the guest book, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, floral arrangements, dance floor, and DJ or band set-up
• Wider group shots and closeups during toasts and speeches, plus champagne glasses clinking or being raised
• The couple chatting with their guests
• First dances of the couple, and bride/groom dancing with a parent
• The whole dance floor scene
• Children dancing
• The cake before being cut, the cake-cutting ritual, and cake being served to guests
• Guests chatting and enjoying each other’s company
• Traditions like the garter toss, throwing the bouquet, or special dances

Cultural traditions

If your wedding involves any rituals that are special in your culture, chat with your photographer about these in advance. Explain any rituals and their meanings, and be clear about must-have wedding photo ideas involving those traditions. Examples include:

• Mehndi, or henna skin decorations, a wedding tradition in many South Asian cultures
• The Jewish wedding tradition of breaking a glass
• The African-American wedding tradition of jumping the broom
• A Latin-American lasso ceremony
• The Pagan or Celtic ritual of handfasting
• The Chinese double-happiness symbol, color red, and traditional tea ceremony
• Any unique or original ritual ideas that a couple chooses to incorporate into their wedding

Memorabilia wedding photo ideas

Photographing wedding memorabilia can be done in advance of the big day, or even afterward. Discuss this option with your photographer. Here are some ideas that can be used to enhance your wedding album:

• Still-life compositions of your wedding stationery and marriage certificate
• Still-life compositions of the wedding rings
• Still-life compositions of other jewelry and accessories e.g. the “something borrowed, something blue…”
• Closeups of the bouquet and flower arrangements
• Hand-written vows or speeches
• Hand-written guest lists or planning notes
• Closeup of the bride’s veil or lace edging
• Closeups of the couple’s hands with their wedding rings

FAQs

We have answers to your most frequently asked questions about wedding photos.

Make those wedding day memories last forever

Photos encapsulate a moment in time, and Mixbook’s photo books weave those moments into your personal love story. Whether your wedding went off without a hitch or required a little quick maneuvering to keep on track, the memories are uniquely your own, so head over to Mixbook and get started today.