Wedding Photography Shot List: Pro Tips, Real Plans 📸

Hailey Matthews
7 days ago
3 min read

Wedding photos are everything. They’re what you’ll frame, post, and cry over with your future kids. But figuring out how to organize them? That part can feel… tedious and even confusing on how to order. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered as a Wedding Planner & 2026 Bride myself, this guide will help you sort out what shots you actually need, plus how to make time for them without losing your mind (or skipping the cocktail hour you paid for 🤭).

Photography Flow: Example Shots + Tips

💄 Getting Ready: 45 - 60 Minutes

Captured moments sample ideas:

Bride’s dress, shoes, accessories
Hair & makeup moments
Bridesmaids hyping you up
Groom and groomsmen getting ready
Letter or gift exchange

Pro tip: Keep your getting ready space clean-ish. A cluttered room = cluttered photos.

👀 First Look: 15 - 20 Minutes

Optional but HIGHLY recommended. You get more time for portraits. It takes the pressure off post-ceremony. And honestly? It’s such a sweet moment

If you're skipping the first look: Just know that your portrait window shrinks. You’ll likely only have cocktail hour, so we’ll need to move fast. Workarounds?

Pre-ceremony “split” shots (e.g., bride + bridesmaids, groom + groomsmen)
Less groupings or pick VIPs only
Golden hour sneak-out later

💒 Ceremony: 30 - 60 Minutes

Captured moments sample ideas:

Guests arriving
Bridal party walking in
Your entrance (cue the tears 😭)
First kiss + recessional

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Photos: 15 - 30 Minutes

These can be done before or after the ceremony depending on your flow. Lately, some couples are even skipping them post-ceremony for a private “just married” breather and honestly, I am into this new trend!

Here’s a sample list to get you going:

Bride with their parents
Bride with their parents + siblings
Groom with their parents
Groom with their parents + siblings
Bride & groom with bride’s parents
Bride & groom with groom’s parents
B&G with both sets of parents
B&G with immediate families
Full extended family (optional)

Pro Tip: Assign a “family wrangler” who knows everyone and can help gather people quickly. Also, have names written down in order. Keep the list concise and ensure that everyone who needs to be there for these photos is aware of where to be and when!

💐 Bridal Party Shots: 20 - 30 Minutes

You don’t need 50 variations, just these essentials:

Bride with bridesmaids (group + individuals)
Groom with groomsmen (group + individuals)
B&G with entire party
Bride + maid of honor
Groom + best man
Fun, candid party shots (walking, laughing, champagne toasts, etc.)

Pro tip: Knock out some of these earlier in the day to save time later.

💕 Couple Portraits: 15 - 30 Minutes

Have your Pinterest Board Inspo ready:

Romantic + posed
Candid and natural
Golden hour glow (if timing works)

Pro Tips: Check the sunset time and plan your schedule accordingly! Share a Pinterest inspiration board with your photographer ahead of time, and have your locations ready following your venue walkthrough.

Final Word from a Planner Who’s Been There 💁‍♀️

You don’t need every single photo combo out there, just the ones that really matter to you. Ask yourself what you want to remember most. Are you all about those fun, candid moments throughout the day? Or do you want to have a gorgeous collection of family portraits to treasure forever?

If you’re leaning into portraits, that’s totally okay! Just keep a few things in mind like your venue’s schedule, how far you’ll need to walk for certain shots, and how you want your day to feel. Some couples love the photo time, while others find it a little overwhelming. There’s no right or wrong, just make sure to leave yourself a little wiggle room in the schedule and go with what feels good to you. And don’t forget to actually enjoy the moment. Take a deep breath, look around, and soak it all in.

Need additional assistance? SPTLGHT Entertainment offers Full Services Wedding Planning and Partial Planning Services. We collaborate directly with your media team to develop this shot list for you.