Couple embracing in a well-decorated venue, showcasing elegant wedding attire and a stylish interior. The image captures a romantic moment with a focus on the bride's flowing gown and the groom's formal suit, framed by furniture and soft lighting.
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As a wedding photographer, I’ve taken a lot of photos—over a million in the last 10 years! For those of you planning your wedding, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite shots from each part of the day and why those moments matter so much. While every wedding is different, there are key moments in every timeline that stand out. If you’re in the middle of planning and wondering what parts of the day you’ll want to focus on for photos, this should give you a good idea.

DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

“Unique works of art that perfectly captures you and your partner.

Let’s dive in!

what photos are taken at a wedding?

Details and Décor Photos

The details of the day matter – you are spending a ton of time picking out. They are also the most likely items you won’t ever see again. Think about it – invitations are made from paper, your dress only gets worn once, the venue isn’t going to be decorated the same.

Here’s a list of most of the details for every wedding:

  • Venue
  • Ceremony Decor
  • Reception Decor
  • All the Flowers
  • Dining Decor
  • Suits
  • Dresses
  • Shoes
  • Rings
  • Invitations
  • Vow Books
  • Presents or Gifts


Getting Ready photos

This is usually a fairly intimate part of the day with your closest people. I personally never take photos of any of the main characters (brides or moms) before their makeup is at least 70% on. These photos are where a lot of candids, emotional moments, and big parts of your story are told.

For example while the haircutting photo may not mean a ton out of context, this was a surprise for this brides wife. She had kept her hair through chemo treatments and wanted to incorporate that into the story of the day with this surprise.


Bridal Portraits

You are as dolled up as you’ll ever be, the dress is perfect, makeup is on point, and it’s silly not to get a few photos showcasing that. These are meant to showcase the beginning of your story as a wife, and they are often your partner’s favorite images.


Groom Portraits

Most grooms ideal day is not a portrait shoot of themselves but again… They are not likely to ever be this photo ready again in most cases. These are wedding photos are important because they showcase the effort you put forward for your partner.

Additionally, men don’t often get to feel like the star of any show and a little confidence boost goes a long way.

Ps this can be a relaxed and low pressure experience. Most grooms actually have fun a few minutes into it.


First Look Photos

Hands down these are almost always better than the aisle reveal. So many people want the classic groom crying down the aisle shot, but nerves and pressure are so high they often don’t cry. A first look also gives couples something they rarely get all day: a private moment to say whatever they’re thinking.

A first look is likely to give you the most connective, emotional, and fun memories of the day.

More importantly, doing the first look earlier in the day means you can spend more time together on your wedding day.

People often don’t realize how much of a wedding day is spent apart from each other or in crowds of people.


Bridal Party Photos

Even if you just have a single best friend with you through out the day, you need photos with your people. Bridal parties shouldn’t be decided by relationship to the couple (i.e. you have your brother steve as best man even though you don’t ever spend time with steve.)

These wedding photos with the closest people to you & that do life with you, are usually the most meaningful ones. They are after all about to either make you laugh or cry during their speeches at reception.


Wedding Ceremony Photos

If your photographer forgets to take wedding photos of the ceremony, you have my permission to slap them.

This is the exact moment you become joined and you spell out what you are committing to (vows).

These are a few of the moments you should be looking for:

  • ring exchange
  • partner’s reaction waiting at the aisle
  • bride walking down the aisle
  • each persons reaction to the vows
  • parent’s reactions
  • ceremony details
  • audience reactions
  • flower girl (or man or people)


Sunset Photos

While I personally prefer doing at least a couple 20 minute sessions throughout the wedding day, you can’t beat a sunset session. It’s a good break from the chaos of the day, its typically after you’ve been married and just hugged 346 of your relatives and friends.

About an hour before sunset is the best light ending roughly 10 minutes after the sun goes fully down.

Often these photos are the ones you print and put on the wall of your house.


First Dance Photos

Everyone deserves to take a minute, whether you are the worlds best dancers or your going to do a basic shuffle with your partner and just be with your partner. You don’t need to choreograph the worlds most impressive cha-cha slide or beat the production of wicked but this is a nice intimate moment between the two of you.

Here are some tips I give my couples:

If you are doing parents dances, have them go first. The third dance often gets the best photos as the photographer has found more ways to use the room and decor by that point. Additionally – it makes more sense. Its the last dance with your parents and the first dance with your wife or husband.

Bonus: You do not need to do this in front of everyone, a private dance is just fine.


Speech Photos

Speeches can create some of the best candid reactions from both the couple and the guests at the wedding. A lot of times my favorite image from a wedding comes from the reactions to the speeches. Your best friends and family tell people stories about you, how much you mean to them and then wish you well.

Pro-tips:

Limit speech time per person (3 minutes is good), it doesn’t need to be a lecture on the two of you followed by more lectures.

Don’t eat during the speeches, you don’t want to ugly cry with food in your mouth and have evidence of it (wedding photos).


Reception Photos

Reception wedding photos are the most fun. All the pressure is off, you are no longer worrying about the timeline and can fully enjoy the evening. Also – your friends are about to possibly make hilarious mistakes that you now have photos of for blackmail purposes.


Wedding Exit Photos

I have an entire blog post about the cool things you can do instead of sparkler exits. This is a really fun addition to your wedding photos that create a unique memory. Personally, I highly recommend champaigne sprays, confetti or bubbles because they create the most unique photographs and are fairly easy to clean up.

Wedding Photos FAQ

How far in advance should we book our wedding photographer?

Somewhere between 8-10 months is standard, but its not unheard of for couples to book a photographer more than a year in advance. If you know the who and the where, secure your photographer as soon as possible.

What should we look for when choosing a photographer?

Your wedding photographer should be someone who makes you feel confident and comfortable, can easily talk to you, has a style you love, and takes the time to learn about what is most important to you. Not every couple is the same, but if your photographer isn’t someone you’d grab dinner with – you’ve got the wrong one.

How many hours of coverage do we need?

For elopements you need at least 4 hours to tell a full story and experience a day. The typical wedding needs roughly 8-10 hours of coverage, and the difference between 8 and 10 is mostly breathing room. You don’t want to rush through your day or have to buy extra coverage because wedding days rarely don’t get a little off schedule. Stuff happens!

What’s usually included in a wedding photography package?

Two photographers, at least 6-8 hours of coverage, full resolution photos on an online gallery, and optionally an engagement session or a wedding album.

How many photos will we receive after the wedding?

A Good rule of thumb is between 50 and 80 images per hour of photography. On average I deliver between 800 and 1000 images at a 10 hour wedding, and in general try not to deliver more than 1000 images as it is overwhelming for the couple to go through.

How long does it take to get the final photos?

Your photographer should deliver the photos between 6-12 weeks after the wedding. If you want them faster, you are asking the photographer to rush and they will likely miss details or mistakes that would have been fixed in the edit.

Do photographers provide RAW files if requested?

They shouldn’t. Raw files are uncompleted photos. Imagine getting a car that is missing paint or wheels. Sure it’s still a car, but its not what you paid for. You can request raws, but photographers often charge a very hefty fee to release their rights from the photos as you’d be able to use them commercially at that point.

Can we give the photographer a list of specific shots we want?

You can give a photographer a list of shots, but outside of the family order list these need to be an inspiration not a required shot list. The more a photographer shoots off of a list, the more candid or one of a kind wedding photos are likely to be missed.

What happens if the photographer gets sick or has an emergency?

A backup photographer joins and the second photographer is now your lead photographer. The photos are still edited and delivered by your original photographer. This is something you need to check is in the contract for your photography.

Do photographers have backup equipment?

Smart ones do! Photographers often have back up photographers ready in case of illness or emergency as well.

Should we provide meals for the photographer?

Yes, unless you want them leaving your wedding to get food, possibly getting stuck in traffic and missing your reception… Feed the photographers. We are much harder working on a full stomach. Some photographers require this in their contract

Can photographers handle low-light or poor weather conditions?

Good ones can handle anything you throw at them. Lower priced photographers typically have less experience and will struggle significantly with changes or anything unexpected. I would recommend reading my guide on how much wedding photographers cost.

You Deserve unique works of art that perfectly capture you and your partner.

NO 321.343.9678 | info@royserafin.com

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