What are some must-have wedding shots?

Getting published is a slightly different brief to shooting a wedding for you to treasure, so it helps to think like an editor. Blogs and magazines build a real wedding feature around storytelling and detail, so the shots that get a feature over the line are the styled and considered ones: your stationery flatlay (invitation, menu, place card, ribbon, the loose flowers from your florist), the dress hanging in beautiful light, the rings, your shoes and accessories, the ceremony space wide and empty before guests sit, and the reception styling photographed before anyone touches it. Editors love a clean detail shot with room around it, and plenty of vertical, portrait orientation frames, because that is what fits a blog layout and a magazine page.

The single biggest thing in your control is the look of the day itself. Publications feature weddings that feel like a cohesive story, so a considered colour palette, a strong venue or location, and good natural light do more for your chances than any one photo. Down here in South East Queensland that often means timing your couple portraits for the soft hour before sunset rather than harsh midday sun, and giving us ten or fifteen minutes of breathing room in the run sheet to actually shoot the details before the room fills up. That little gap in the timeline is where the magazine-worthy frames happen.

From our side, talk to your photographer early about wanting to submit, because we shoot and pace the day differently when we know that is the goal, and we keep the editing consistent right through. Everything we deliver is edited in-house by us, never outsourced, which matters for a submission because editors want one consistent style across the whole gallery, not a set that drifts. We can also handle the submission for you and send blogs the curated, correctly sized selection they ask for, which saves you the back and forth.

One last tip the others have not mentioned: have a quiet word about whether you want your faces front and centre or whether you are happy with more atmosphere and detail led images, because a lot of published features lean on mood, hands, light and styling rather than big posed portraits. Knowing your comfort level lets us shoot to both your heart and the editor's brief on the day.

Grooms and Grooms men, Bride and bridesmaids with family, Nice shots of Ceremony, Family photo's

Then the fun of the Bridal party at different locations.

Then the fun Of the Reception, Speeches, Cutting the Cake and Bridal dance,

And parents dancing with Bride and Groom.

Emma ideally you want your images to tell a story of the day. The type of images will vary according to the style of photographer. Some photographers will present a casual approach, others more formal etc. I find there are key shots from each component of the day but it is always good for a client to provide a list of key shots they definitely want. When I shoot a wedding there are many shots I try to get but the major ones ( and remember there are many others) are: Brides home: detail shots, bride final touches with bridal party, brides maids on their own. Brides maids with bride. Formal group shot, Bride on her own. Sometimes parents if dressed. The biggest component which can upset photography is when the hair n make up is eating into photography time. It is so cruical to communicate with your hair n make up artist. Similar components apply at the grooms home. Ceremony components: in the car with Dad, Walking down isle. Expression of groom seeing bride ( this can sometimes be hard to get ). The emotion of guests, the kiss, Signing. Bridal party at signing table. In fact the more words I put down I just realize there is almost too much to tell. To find out more research the net. I hope this helps you.

I personally think the candid shots are the best! The crack of laughter at speech time or the tears from grandmas eyes during the ceremony or the kids playing to the groom looking at his bride after the wedding with new eyes thinking that's my WIFE.

Also important are the following

Doing up the back of dress

Bridal portrait (Full dress and close face shot)

Groom portrait (same)

Getting out the car

Walking down the aisle

Ring exchange

The kiss

Signing certificate

Congrats hugs

Group shot

Family shots (make a list and have someone in charge of helping round them all up for the photographer to save time)

Wedding party shots

Couple shots

Cake cutting

Party shots

Just married sign with the vehicle driving off is cool too even if you are coming back

Hope that helps have fun and happy wedding planning!

Rebekah Bianca Photography

Make sure they get a nice shot of your mum or everyone will be for it! ;)

Hi Emma,

Wedding magazines etc always want a picture of the bride's dress and a happy and romantic shot of the bride and groom. Sometimes the venue can play a big role in whether they will print your wedding. If it's a really interesting backdrop, it would capture their attention.

Regards

Rochelle g Photography

Hi Emma,
The must haves are those that tell your story, unique to you and capture those moments that you may miss, your loved ones reactions and all of those gorgeous details that you put so much thought into. Specific detail shots; the rings, cuff links, shoes, colourful socks, suits, dresses hanging, table decorations, the bouquet, anything personal to you. The getting ready. The kiss! The tears. The laughter. Walking down the aisle, first looks, first dance, cake cutting, speeches. Posed portrait photos in stunning locations if you wish. Family shots. And all the candid stuff in between. Oh and super cool and fun ideas to suit you :-)

I hope that helps!
Jen

Bouquets, cake, stationery, bring your invitation to the wedding day so your photographer can shoot it, get good coverage of both the reception and ceremony before the guests arrive, dont miss the table décor, plenty of candid bridal party shots, boutonnieres, and more details….lots of details!!!

Warm Regards

Nathan - Behind The Lens Photography

Hi Emma,

Wedding Magazines and Blogs look for real weddings to publish that showcase different locations, themes, colours, details and ideas that are unique to inspire brides planning their own wedding. When choosing your wedding photographer, look for someone that takes a lot of different angles of details including lots of vertical images that are well lit, styled and composed. Creative emotion filled portraits of the bride and groom are also a must!

Warmly,

Kelly