Wedding Photography Shot List Guide, Bunbury, South West & Perth WA

Setting the Scene

If you are getting ready somewhere with nice surrounds, a venue, an Airbnb or a scenic spot, I will grab establishing shots to set the location: a drone shot where possible, the exterior and details around the space. Not every getting-ready spot needs this and that is fine, plenty of homes work perfectly well, so I play it by the setting on the day.

Groom Prep

• Establishing shots of where the groom and groomsmen are getting ready
• Details laid out together: shoes, tie, boutonnieres, cologne, cufflinks, watch, with the invite and rings
• The suit before it goes on
• Groom and groomsmen getting ready, helping with ties and jackets
• Mother of the groom or best man pinning the boutonniere
• Groomsmen together, and with a drink
• Groom with each groomsman (can be done after the ceremony if time is limited)
• Groom with parents, with mum, with dad (these can also be done after the ceremony if parents are not there for groom prep)
• Groom on his own

Bride Prep

A note on timing: I aim to arrive while the bride is still in the makeup chair, near the end, so we get a few photos of those final touches before the dress goes on. Worth keeping in mind when you plan your start time with your hair and makeup team.

• Establishing shots of where the bride and bridal party are getting ready
• Hair and makeup with the bride
• Details and accessories: invite, perfume, jewellery, shoes, bouquet, rings
• Family heirlooms if you have something old
• The dress hanging, and a close-up of the detail
• Bouquets
• Bride and bridesmaids together in gowns or pyjamas, with a drink
• Putting the dress on, helped by your mum, maid of honour or a bridesmaid
• Putting on shoes, jewellery and perfume, helped by your mum, maid of honour or a bridesmaid
• First look with bridesmaids or father of the bride, or both
• Bride with each bridesmaid, and the group together (can be done after the ceremony if time is limited)
• Bride with parents, with mum, with dad (can be done after the ceremony if time is limited)
• Bride on her own

First Look

A private moment before the ceremony where you see each other for the first time, away from guests. Not very common with Australian weddings. Some couples love it, some prefer to wait for the aisle. I suggest it if the couple have young children. They can have some nice photos with them before they make a mess of their cloths. Either way works, just let me know.

Ceremony

• The venue: a drone shot where possible, the exterior, and the interior before guests arrive if applicable
• Flower arrangements, arbour, furniture and signage
• Groom and groomsmen arriving
• Best man with the rings
• Guests arriving
• Groom and groomsmen waiting
• Parents and grandparents seated
• Bride and bridal party arriving in the wedding car
• Bride stepping out of the car
• The bridal party entrance
• Bride walking down the aisle
• Groom's reaction
• Wide shots and close-ups
• Candid moments
• Exchanging vows and rings
• Other ceremony participants, flower girls, page boys and musicians if you have them
• Guest readings if you are having them
• The first kiss
• Signing the register
• A photo with your witnesses
• The walk back down the aisle
• Confetti, and a kiss in the middle or at the end of the aisle

Family and Group Photos

This is the one part of the day I need from you in advance. Send me your groupings with names ahead of time so we move through them quickly and nobody is missed. Fifteen to 25 minutes is usually plenty when the list is ready. The order below works from the biggest groups down to the smallest, so people can be released as we go.

Every family is different. If you have step-parents, blended families or anyone who needs to be photographed early and then head off, just tell me and we will plan the order around it. Your list is the one we work from on the day, so the more you include the better. A more detailed list can be given if needed.

• Big group photo of all guests
• Congratulations and candid moments as family and guests come up to you, if time allows
• Couple with flower girls and ring bearers, and the bride with the flower girls
• Couple with both families together
• Couple with each set of grandparents
• Bride with grandparents, groom with grandparents
• Couple with both sets of parents
• Couple with each side's parents and siblings together
• Couple with the bride's parents, couple with the groom's parents
• Couple with siblings
• Bride with parents, with mum, with dad, if not done at prep
• Groom with parents, with mum, with dad, if not done at prep
• Couple with close family members

Wedding Party

• Bride with bridesmaids, groom with groomsmen
• Bride with each bridesmaid, groom with each groomsman, if not done at prep
• Bridesmaids together, groomsmen together
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen together without the couple
• Couple with the full wedding party
• The fun version: kissy faces and kissing across the party
• A group walk or flying-vee with the party
• A cheers with a bottle of sparkling, if you are doing one

Perth Wedding Photographer - Champagne Pop and Spray Anderson PointPerth Wedding Photographer - Champagne Pop and Spray Anderson Point

Couple Portraits

Time set aside for just the two of you. If the timing lines up I will try for some near sunset, the light is at its best then. Below are poses and ideas I draw on, so you know the range. We will never get through every one, it is a menu, not a list to tick off. If something here catches your eye, tell me and I will make sure we get it.

• Classic and relaxed: a natural portrait at each location, kisses, forehead to forehead, a kiss on the cheek or forehead, a hand on the face, sitting together, a hug from behind, the groom kissing the bride on the shoulder
• Walking shots: towards me talking to each other, holding hands, bumping hips, a kiss mid-walk, lead and follow, looking back over the shoulder
• Movement: a twirl, a dip, a lift if it suits you, practising the first dance
• The veil: thrown in the air, and a shot from under it
• Detail: rings on the bouquet or shown to camera, the two of you alone with your details, the bride alone and the groom alone with their details
• Hands and rings: left hands to camera showing the rings, looking at me then at each other then a kiss
• Sunset portraits: a few in the golden light near the end of the day if the timing allows, often the standout shots of the whole set

Fremantle Wedding Photographer - Aislinn and Gavyn Fremantle Wedding Photographer - Aislinn and Gavyn Fremantle Wedding Photographer - Aislinn and Gavyn

Reception

• The room and details before guests come in: centrepieces, place settings, menu, favours, seating plan, guest book and signage, memorial table if you have one
• The cake, topper and cake table with the knife
• Band or DJ, and the dancefloor
• Your entrance and the wedding party introduction
• The wedding party table, if you have one
• Group table photos of guests
• Photos with extended family
• You hanging out with friends
• Speeches: parents if they are speaking, best man, maid of honour, and the reactions to them
• Games like the shoe game or a photo dash, if you are having them
• Cake cutting
• Parent dances: mother and son, father and daughter
• First dance
• The dancefloor photos
• Bouquet and garter toss, if you are doing them
• Candid moments

Planning Your Day

Every wedding runs differently, and how much time you set aside shapes what is possible. If you want help planning your day so there is room for the photos that matter to you, get in touch and we can work through your timeline together.