Here are some of the most classic pictures that you will want for your wedding. The best idea is to print this page out (or copy it into another program) and cross out what pictures you don't want and add anything you can think of that you would want.
Getting Ready
Bride's clothes hanging on the wardrobe, on the bedpost, or over a chair
Bridesmaids doing bride's hair and makeup
Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, applying makeup
Mom helping bride with one last detail, such as veil
Full-length shot of bride in gown checking herself out in mirror
Detail of clothing, shoes, garter, something borrowed, something blue
Touching shot of bride with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
Touching shot of bride with sibling(s)
Bride hugging honor attendant
Bride with bridesmaids
Bride with all the women
Groom getting ready with Dad and pals (tying the tie is a classic)
Touching shot of groom with parent(s) and/or stepparent(s)
Touching shot of groom with sibling(s)
Groom with his arm affectionately around best man
Groom with all the groomsmen
Groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or bowties
Intimate shots of bride and groom with parents and siblings pre-ceremony
Dad whispering last-minute advice to groom
Groom ready to go
Bride ready to go
Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony
The Ceremony
Guests streaming into the site
Ushers escorting guests to their seats
Ushers escorting moms to their seats (Christian wedding)
Close-up of groom's adorably nervous mug waiting for his other half
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle
Flower girl and/or ring bearer entering
Honor attendant walking down the aisle
Grandparents walking down the aisle (Jewish wedding)
Wedding party waiting at the altar
Groom walking down the aisle
Bride and Dad/escort/parents (Jewish wedding) walking down the aisle
Close-up of bride just before she makes her entrance
Bride and groom at the altar
Altar or canopy from the back during ceremony
Wide shot of audience during ceremony, from bride and groom's point of view
Faces of bride and groom as they exchange vows
Close-up of bride's and groom's hands as they exchange rings
The kiss
Bride and groom proceeding up the aisle, guests' smiling faces at their sides
Bride and groom outside ceremony site
Congrats shots: bride and groom hugging, laughing, and crying with good friends and family
Bride and groom leaving ceremony site
Bride and groom in limo backseat
Before the Reception
(Note: You can also take these before the ceremony)
Bride and groom together
Bride with her happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Bride with her entire immediate family
Groom with his happy, proud parents and/or stepparents
Groom with his entire immediate family
Bride and groom with all parents
Bride and groom with immediate family members from both sides
Bride and groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom with bridesmaids
Bride and groom with whole wedding party
The Reception
Shot from outside reception site (to set the tone)
Reception details such as place cards, guest book, centerpieces, decorations, etc.
Bride and groom arriving
Receiving-line moments
Bride and groom at head table
Parents' table
Guests' tables
Close-up of friends and family making toasts
Bride and groom sipping champagne
Bride's and groom's parents whispering to each other during dinner
Bride and groom chatting up the guests
Bride and groom's first dance
Parents dancing
Bride and Dad dancing
Groom and Mom dancing
Wedding party dancing
Grandparents dancing
Kids playing or dancing
Musicians or DJ doing their thing
Guests going nuts on the dance floor (again, slow-shutter speed could be effective)
Bride laughing with bridesmaids
Cake table
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Dessert table
Bouquet toss (perhaps a vertical shot from in front of the bride)
Tossing and catching of the garter
Bride and groom leaving, waving from getaway car's backseat
Rear of car departing
Don't forget that there is virtually no way for the photographer to remember to take all of these pictures and/or have the perfect opportunity to take them, so don't have a tantrum when you get the proofs and a couple shots are missing. Just be realistic about it and hope for the best.
One of the most fun parts about being a bride is being the center of attention at the bridal shower. The bridal shower is a great place to hang out with your female family and friends (as well as future family). Everyone brings a gift at this party- which makes it even more fun because you can open all the gifts in front of everyone. The party is usually held at the most two months from the wedding. This means you can have it any time between the day before and two months before the wedding.
The bridal shower is typically hosted by the maid of honor. Of course, it can also be hosted by your mom, sister, aunt, or whoever else you (or your maid of honor) would like. Generally, whoever hosts the party pays for the party. However, it is not uncommon for all of the bridesmaids to pitch in if it is going to be a particularly expensive occasion. Remember, the shower can be anything from a picnic at the park, to a day at a beauty spa, to a formal dinner at a banquet hall.
One of the best things about the bridal shower is that it typically has a theme, and hence the presents you get will have a theme. This theme will usually coordinate with wherever you decided to hold the party, and is usually associated with the brides personality and tastes. As for the gifts- it is etiquette-ly okay to describe on the invitation what the guest should bring. For example, if you were to have a garden theme, you may ask the guests to give gardening tools, seeds, or garden decorations as gifts.
Typically, you'll want to invite only those people who you are really close with (and who your fiance is really close with). If the shower is going to be a surprise, you can always consult with your maid of honor (or alternative hostess) as to who you want invited. Make sure you give them a list of addresses as well so that they don't have to track them down. Some people think it is good to send invitations to those who you know will not be able to make it (because of distance), however, it is completely up to you who to invite, and if you think those out-of-towners will feel bad getting an invitation to something they can't go to- don't send it.
Some people are starting to get into having couple showers instead of a bridal shower. This is where the fiance is invited and the guests list consists of both male and female friends and family. No matter which way you choose to do it, make sure you have fun and enjoy the attention you'll be getting!
When you are figuring out your budget, you may realize that photography and videography account for about 12% of your overall costs. After seeing this, many brides choose to exclude videography and allocate that money to another item on the budget. Some brides even exclude a photographer on the basis that they are placing disposable cameras on each table for guests to take pictures with. This idea is not good. Here are the advantages of having a photographer or videographer (of course the disadvantage is cost).
Photographer - A wedding should not take place without a photographer. Even if it's your uncle, cousin, roommate, or someone you met off the street, you need a photographer. What about disposable cameras? This question is very common, but there are many disadvantages to disposable cameras. First of all, they are not as good quality as the pictures a photographer's camera can make. Second of all, the people taking the pictures are not as experienced as a photographer. Third of all, guests do not want to spend time taking formal (posed) pictures of you and your families.
A photographer will be able to think of great poses or locations a lot better than you or your guests could. They are also skilled at making sure a picture looks good- symmetry, all faces visible, nothing cut off, etc. Plus, many photographers will be able to offer you a basic package that may be something like: 2 hours of shooting, 1 11x14, 1 8x10, and 30 pictures in a basic album. This type of package will be sufficient for your wedding photo needs and you will get professional pictures that are professionally developed.
Videographer - You're in luck; videography is completely optional at a wedding. Since prices start somewhere upwards of $1,000, you may want to exclude this cost and spend a little extra on your pre-wedding pampering. However, you'll want to read these advantages first. The main advantage is that you are able to capture both the sight and sound (and essentially, the mood) of the wedding day. Many videographers can do special effects that will play your favorite songs during the video, have family interviews spliced in, etc. You're sure to love the video no matter what.
A videographer can often get some better shots than a photographer can because the camera is always on, so you don't have the wait for a flash, or changing a lens. Also, videographers can catch more of a candid view of your wedding. Since most photography is posed, it doesn't really show the feeling of the day. With videography, you get to see the bride's spontaneous smile, the groom leaning in for a kiss, the flower girl dancing with the ring bearer, and much more. Even if you just have Dad bring his video camera, you'll be glad you got some real action from the wedding.
So, cutting to the chase- Yes, you do need a photographer, and No, you do not need a videographer. However, both of these have great advantages, so you will want to review those before making any set-in-stone decisions.
