Wedding Planner Photograph Checklist

Use this Checklist to communicate with your photographer on the photo's you desire to have taken. List the members of your family and wedding party here to assist the photographer in identifying the number of people he/she will have to deal with.

Pre-Ceremony Shoot with Groom
These shots can be taken at the groom's house or can be scheduled to be shot an hour or so before the ceremony. Keep in mind that guests will start to arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony starts, which will affect the scheduled timing. This is sometimes a good time to get a number of the family photos out of the way so that they don't cut into your photo shoot timing after the ceremony.

Closeups and Full Length - Alone
With your mother
With your father
With both your parents
With other family members
With the bestman
With the groomsmen
With ring bearer
Checking your tie and/or finishing up
Getting ready candids
Groom's Details, i.e. boutonniere, tuxes hanging, bottle of cologne, card/gift from bride, etc.

Pre-Ceremony Shoot with Bride
These shots can be taken at the bride's house while she's getting ready. Again, this is a good time to take some of the family photos to save time later.

Closeups and Full Length - Alone
With your mother
With your father
With both your parents
With other family members
With Maid/Matron of Honor
With bridesmaids
With flower girl
Putting on the finishing touches
Adjusting garter
Bride's Details, i.e. the dress, the shows, the bouquets, makeup, jewellery, card/gift from the groom, etc.

Ceremony
The majority of ceremony shots are standard and most photographers know what to take. The things that you might want to add to this list would be anything that may be cultural in nature and/or an event that you've added to part of the ceremony that is not part of the standard ceremony fare.
Ushers seating guests and mothers
Bride's Arrival
Processional
Bride being walked down the aisle
Groom waiting at the alter
Bride being given away
Wedding Party members at the alter
Kneeling at the alter
Exchanging rings
Exchanging vows
Lighting unity candles
Exchanging kiss
Signing marriage license
With officiant
Recessional
In front of the church after ceremony
Candids outside with guests
Guests outside and inside the church. Some brides have elected to have shots done of all of the people attending the church ceremony.
Couple leaving in limo

Formal Photo Shoot
This usual happens after the ceremony, but if you are getting married in the Fall months and/or you have a very limited time between your ceremony and reception, it might be beneficial to do this before the ceremony. Everyone meets at a pre-determined photo location. You can consult with your photographer on where an appropriate place may be. Be sure to inform all individuals that are required for your photos. Exchanging cell phone numbers with the photographer is beneficial in case there is a misunderstanding regarding where to meet.

Bride Alone
Groom Alone
Bride & Groom together - various locations
Bride with attendants
Groom with attendants
Bride with "the guys"
Groom with "the girls"
Bride with each attendant individually
Groom with each attendant individually
Entire Wedding Party
Hands with wedding rings
With children from wedding party
With best man and maid of honour

Reception Photos
This list covers all of the standard happenings at a reception. If you have any special events scheduled that you think the photographer should know about, be sure to be specific and add them. It also doesn't hurt to provide your videographer with a list of the scheduled events for the reception. Any extended group shots, other than immediate family should probably be scheduled into this part of the day.

Talking with guests at reception - receiving line
First dance
Cutting the cake
Toasting
With special guests
Dancing and candids at the reception
Wedding Cake before cutting
Food or desert tables
Organist and/or soloists
Musicians
Any decorations that you have spent a lot of time and energy putting together.
Candid photos of everyone at the reception
Photo of the invitation with bouquets, toasting glasses and table centerpieces

Other Shots:

Bride with Mother
Bride with Father
Bride with Mother & Father
Bride with Siblings (you may want to do individually or as a group
Bride with Mother, Father and Siblings
Bride with Mother, Father, Siblings, their spouses and children
Bride with Grandparents
Family generation photo including all above (you may want to wait and do this with the groom)

Groom with Mother
Groom with Father
Groom with Mother & Father
Groom with Siblings (you may want to do individually or as a group)
Groom with Mother, Father and Siblings
Groom with Mother, Father, Siblings and their spouses and children
Groom with Grandparents
Family generation photo including all above (you may want to wait and do this with the bride) 

Bride, Groom and Bride's Parents
Bride, Groom and Groom's Parents
Bride, Groom and Both Sets of Parents
Bride, Groom and Bride's Grandparents
Bride, Groom and Groom's Grandparents
Bride, Groom and Bride's Siblings
Bride, Groom and Groom's Siblings
Bride, Groom and all Siblings
Bride, Groom and Brides entire family
Bride, Groom and Grooms entire family
Bride, Groom and both families combined