Must-Take Wedding Photos: Our Top 9 Picks

If there’s one universal truth about weddings, it’s that they will quickly come to an end just as they began. The good news is that your wedding photographer will preserve all of your most treasured memories. Their priority is to capture every amazing moment and thoughtfully plan every element. Therefore, it is important to talk to them about your must-take wedding photos months before the big day.

Although a true professional doesn’t need a shot list to direct them, they would love to know your details and preferences to personalise the experience. For instance, will the bride wear family heirloom jewellery, or who is the groom’s closest childhood buddy? If you want specific pictures documented, it’s essential to let them know in advance.

Nonetheless, every couple should have the following 9 must-take wedding photos on their radar.

Top Must-Take Wedding Photos

1. The Preparation

Photographers usually show up a few hours before the ceremony starts to capture the bride’s and groom’s preparations. The entire process of the bride’s hair and makeup, her dress is crucial to preserve those sweet burdening memories. The same goes for the groom recording his adjustments on the tie or buttoning his jacket.

These candid photos offer a behind-the-scenes peek into your wedding day, often filled with genuine emotions and lovely details.

A Fun Wedding at Kent Life

2. The Bride’s and Groom’s Accessories

Typically, couples spend a lot of time selecting their wedding day accessories. Therefore, it is understandable that they should be on the list of must-take wedding photos. So, before getting ready, ask your professional to take detailed shots of your accessories. This includes items like the bride’s shoes, jewellery bouquet, and something old, new, borrowed, and worn that she will be wearing.

Meanwhile, the groom’s ensemble consists of cufflinks, a watch, a boutonnière, and shoes. It’s a photo shoot that reflects the bride’s femininity and the groom’s confident style.

3. The Bride’s and Groom’s Portraits

Once the bride’s hair and makeup are done and she has slipped into her wedding dress, it’s time to take the official bridal portraits. Many brides may feel nervous about posing for solo portraits, but your photographer is always there to direct you to capture your stunning and radiant look. This is also the perfect time to get some photos of your magnificent veil to highlight its beauty.

The groom also deserves his moment to shine in front of the camera. Just like with the bride, the photographer will also do a solo shoot to capture some portraits of the groom. This will make a perfect addition to your wedding album.

4. The First Look

When it comes to first looks, couples tend to have different opinions on this matter. Some want to wait for the aisle, while others wish to have an intimate first-look moment alone. There is no wrong or right here, so just go with whatever feels comfortable for you as a couple.

If you decide to have a first look before the ceremony, be sure that your photographer captures it. These moments are filled with raw emotion, and capturing the bride and groom’s reactions is a must.

5. Candid Moments

Some of the best wedding photo ideas are usually unplanned and natural. Make sure to let your photographer know that you wish him to keep an eye out for candid moments throughout the day. This can be anything from guests laughing to children playing or a quiet moment between the newlyweds. Posing for photos is all good, but these moments capture the true essence of your special day.

London wedding shoot

6. Portraits of the Couple, Family, and Bridal Party

Besides bridal portraits, other must-take wedding photos are the couple’s portraits. That way, the photographer can capture the love and connection between the two of you as future partners. Additionally, you should do family portraits with the closest members from both couples. The final portraits should be taken with your bridal party. These are the friends and family members who have supported you throughout the process. They have more than deserved the camera attention.

For all the portraits, you should do a mix of formal poses and more relaxed and natural interactions. Therefore, you will create fun and playful images that show off your personalities as a group. Moreover, don’t forget the photos of the children attending your wedding. They are solely making your special day more heartwarming and valuable.

7. The Ceremony and Reception

These are significant moments of the day, where the photographer captures the bride walking down the aisle and the groom’s reaction. The moment of exchanging vows and rings, the first kiss as a married couple, and the couple’s exit will also be recorded.

During the reception, ask your professional to capture your first dance, the cake cutting, speeches and toasts. Also, the bouquet, garter toss, and, of course, the guests dancing and having fun. These are all must-take wedding photos.

8. Details and Décor

You have spent months picking and planning the details and the decor, so you would want the photographer to get a close-up shot of everything. This includes your wedding rings, the invitation suite, table settings, centrepieces, and any other unique touches.

Also, here is the wedding venue decor, the aisle decorations, the altar setup, and any other personal elements.

9. The Finale

The finale is the icing on the cake, which is a fantastic way to end an evening on a high note. Whether you’re leaving in a classic car, through a tunnel of guests, waving ribbons or sparklers, or in the flurry of bubbles. This moment should be filled with excitement and joy that is perfect for your wedding album. But before you do that, be sure to take a moment and pause for one more kiss on your way out. This is one of the easiest yet most creative wedding photo ideas to end your special day.