A piece of advice my wife jokingly gives brides before their big day is as follows: “Enjoy every moment, because it will be over before you know it – you’ll hardly remember walking down the aisle!”. This is why I am of the belief that a “shot-list” is a definite must before your Big Day.
“What is a “shot-list” and why is it so important?”
A shot-list is pretty self-explanatory: it is simply a list in which the couple stipulate exactly which photographs they hope to have captured on their Wedding Day. It is really easy to get caught up in the moment, capturing 101 photographs of distant relatives or platonic friends, when more time could be spent capturing that which really matters. Creating a shot-list and communicating your vision with your photographer is simply a win-win-WIN! By doing so, you ensure you capture the special moments you wish to remember forever, despite the blur that sometimes becomes your special day, plus you allow your trusted photographer the chance to really capture your dream day in the most pleasing manner possible… Saving you from needing to politely ask Aunty Shirl to please step out of the ‘immediate family only’ shots.
“Okay, so now that I know what a “shot-list” is, how do I best utilize this?”
The most important piece of advice I can give to my clients is to send through a few Pinterest inspired photographs they would like captured on their Wedding Day. This ensures, straight off the bat, that I am able to capture moments and images they feel would be most integral to the remembrance of the beginning of the rest of their lives, as well as how many of said shots the couple wishes to have… whether it be a romantic shot of the couple overlooking a wheat field, to a fun action shot of the newly-wed couple’s first cake fight!
Keep in mind that I as a photographer, I will make it my mission to not only capture those shots you feel so strongly about, but everything else in between as well! This is honestly one less thing you need to worry about! Deep breaths.
“Okay, okay! I think I finally understand – how does one even begin to create such a beast?”
Don’t worry… I have experience in this department and am able to share with you a few shots which past couples have requested, or cried themselves to sleep for not having captured on the day.
1. Finer Details
- Invitations, programmes, special signs, etcetera.
- Wedding dresses/suits
- Accessories (shoes, earrings, cuff-links, boutonnières, bouquets etcetera.)
2. Preparation
- Bride & Bridesmaid hair and makeup
- General wedding party fun
- Portraits of bride/ groom with mother/father
3. Pre-Wedding Ceremony
- ‘First-look’ shots
- Groomsmen & Bridesmaids
- Flower Girls & Ring Bearers
4. Wedding Ceremony
- Shots of the wedding venue
- Groom and groomsmen awaiting bride and bridesmaids
- Guests
- Bride’s entrance
- Father giving bride away
- Vow and ring exchange
- First kiss
- Couple signing marriage certificate
- Couple walking hand-in-hand up the aisle as a newly-wed couple
5. Friends & Family
- Couple with bridal party
- Couple with wedding party
- Couple with close family only
- Couple with either both or one set of parents
6. Wedding Reception
- Table settings
- Seating chart
- Flora design and like decor
- Wedding cake
- Grand entrance as newly-wed couple
- Speeches
- Cutting cake
- Father-daughter dance
- First dance
- Guests and couple mingling
- Dancing and general shenanigans
- Grand exit as newly-wed couple
Having said this, please do keep in mind, what happens on your wedding day might not be something we can capture from a list, all we want you to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the most special day of your life!