Wedding Photographers: 13 Moments You Will Need Captured

So, you're in the planning stage of your wedding, and it's time to pick a photographer: that alone is a difficult task. Still, there's an added layer of stress that comes along with it: once you've found the right photographer, how do you make sure they get all the right photos of the memories you want to cherish for eternity? When you're meeting with and deciding on a photographer to use on your wedding day, keep these 13 ideas in mind to ensure they capture all of the important moments for you to look back on with love.

(Pictured: Huyen's wedding gown)

1 - Hanging the dresses
This one is an age-old classic and something that Brides we've worked with always cherish. Wherever you plan on getting ready, there'll always be a lovely doorway or arch or, at the very least, the back of a door to catch a few sneaky images of your wedding dress hanging up. Then, of course, don't forget to have your photographer snap some of your beautiful bridesmaid's dresses as well.


2 - The Accessories
Along with the dress, you'll want all the little things that make up your overall look on your big day: your shoes, your bouquet, and jewelry are all great things to capture memories of by your photographer.

(Pictured: Bridgettes ring + flowers on her wedding day)

3 - The process of getting ready
It's going to be one of the biggest and most important days of your life, but we think it's just as important to capture moments from before the ceremony and reception too! So have your photographer get some photos of you and your lovely bridesmaids getting ready with moments like hair and make-up, the process of getting the dress down (if you hung it up for step 1!), or any other moments you'll share with your bridesmaids. Also, don't forget, if you choose to pop some bubbles to celebrate, have your photographer take some images of this too, it's a lovely moment of celebration before everything kicks off. You'll cherish these little things for eternity.

(Pictured: Vichheka with her bridesmaids on her wedding day) 

4 - The final touches
It's always a lovely sight when you see a bride's photos, and she's captured the moments of her bridesmaids helping her get into her dress and put the finishing touches on like shoes or your veil before heading to the venue.

5 - Your partner's side of preparing for the day
You'll want photos of your partner's morning routine on the day, too, so always ensure the photographer can capture this as well. Moments like your partner and their groomsmen or bridesmaids helping each other get ready, toasting in celebration, and all the similar things you'll be doing make a terrific double view when you look back on your wedding day.

(Pictured: Real Bride Huyen's husband, Jeremy, with groomsmen)

6 - Leaving for the ceremony
Once everyone's ready and you've got those final moments before it's time to head to wherever your ceremony will be, this is the perfect time to get some candid shots. If you're fortunate enough to have your father walk you down the aisle or want a father-of-the-bride reaction moment, this is a great time to get some photos with your father.

7 - The ceremony venue/guests arriving
Everyone you've invited to your wedding is there for one common reason above all else: they're unique to you and your partner, and you're special to them. Having your photographer get some natural photos of guests arriving and mingling makes for some great memories for you to cherish later on. You'll also want your photographer to get images of the decor and details of your ceremony, such as flowers, seating arrangements, and the like, for you to remember the dream wedding you planned in full detail later on. (We LOVE these photos at Euphorie, it lets us see the little details of what our Real Brides have chosen to represent them on their wedding day!). Also, don't forget to get both a photo of the wedding program and keep a few extras as mementos for later.

8 - Walks down the aisle
Depending on who you have in your wedding and how you've structured it to run, you can have quite a few loved ones walking down the aisle before yourself. If you've got your partner's family/your family, groomsmen, and bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring boys, getting photos of all of these special people is something you'll want to be sure to capture as well as your beautiful walk down the aisle as well. (Your partner's reaction is one you'll want to be caught for you too!)

This one should be another 'obvious' one, but it's something you won't want to miss; the first kiss. This will likely be the moment you'll remember as the final point of sealing the deal on your wedding, and it's so heartwarming to look back on that specific moment along with the exchanging of the rings.

(Pictured: Carinas husband + groomsmen on their wedding day)

9 - The whole crew
One of the "this should be obvious," but it's always safe to just make sure it's included are photos of you, your partner, and bridesmaids/groomsmen with the celebrant during vows. I've heard a few horror stories of photographers that have 'forgotten' to get photos of these moments, and it's a memory you'll want to be kept forever. Also, having your photographer sneak some snaps of the family's reactions at the wedding always makes for some great memories.

(Pictured: Sandie, Husband, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen on wedding day)

10 - Walking out
A personal favorite of mine is when our #euphorierealbrides send us the photos from their wedding day. I LOVE seeing the part of the ceremony where the Bride & Groom have said 'I Do' and it's time for the bride and groom to walk back down the aisle, this time, together. This is always such a lovely moment to see because it'll take you straight back to that stress-relieving moment of 'we finally did it!'.

(Pictured: Real Bride Carina and her husband on their wedding day)

11 - Portraits

Once the ceremony is over, you might mingle with family for a bit before heading off to portraits (or skip the mingling if you're tight on time and save that for the reception). First, however, here is a quick rundown of some photos you will want to get from that time between the ceremony and reception.

• Bride & Groom
• A mixture of both of you individually and together with your respective families and each other's families
• Bride & bridesmaids
• Bride & groomsmen
• Groom with bridesmaids
• Groom with groomsmen
• Bridesmaids & groomsmen
• Bride & Maid of Honour
• Groom & Best Man
• Entire bridal party as a whole

12 - Venue details

Having your photographer get shots of all the little details of the reception is essential so that you can look back over all the choices you and your partner made to display your individual and combined styles that showcase your wedding day. Things like the table settings, centerpieces, flowers, venue, the cake, and anything else involved in the details tell the overall story of your wedding day.

(Pictured: table settings from our Real Brides wedding day)

13 - Party time
The reception tends to be the time with the most authentically epic, funny, and heartwarming moments. Having your photographer capture the entrances of the bridal party and the bride & groom is always great to look back on. From the speeches to the first dance, you'll find that it all tells the story of the night (or day) through images, and every time you look back at these photos, it'll remind you of the joy you felt spending your special day with the ones you love most. Candid shots are the key here; make sure the photographer you choose just allows your guests to be themselves, and it'll come out beautifully!

(Pictured: Huyen & Husband Jeremy on their wedding day)

(Pictured: Huyen's Bridesmaids at the wedding reception) 

I'm sure when it comes to your wedding photos, you'll have some of your ideas that may not be included here, which is perfect. Putting your spin on your wedding day is what makes it yours to remember forever, and the most important thing to keep in mind, above all else, is to have the day that YOU choose. The happiness of you and your partner is all that matters in the end.

Have you got any specific photo ideas you have in mind for your wedding day? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below if there's anything we missed that would make for a great memory.