A Complete Wedding Day Shot List – 2024

Champagne spray of bride and bridesmaids in matching robes

If you’re looking for a complete wedding day shot list to ensure you capture every single beautiful moment- then this is for you! Say goodbye to missed moments! This comprehensive wedding day shot list covers it all. Create memories that last a lifetime, a long with some bonus tips for the best wedding day ever. Let’s dive right in!

Elegant, modern wedding flat lay details in the sun. The flat lay details includes cheek wedding shoes, a white and green bouquet, perfume, a veil and rings in a vintage ring holder

Bride Getting Ready Shot List

Flat-lay details (Rings, invitations, flowers, shoes, perfume, garter, dress, veil and any other important details)
Dress shot hanging by stairs or window
Final hair and make up touch ups of Bride, Bridesmaids and Mothers of Bride & Groom (putting on mascara or lipstick etc.)
Bridesmaids in matching outfits (Champagne spray, sitting together on the bed, cheering together etc)
Bride admiring her dress before putting it on
Bride getting into her dress
Mom helping Bride with her dress
Bride putting on her shoes, spraying perfume and putting on jewelry

Wedding shot of a sparkly wedding dress with embroidery and lace hanging from a bridal hanger against a black back drop

Wedding shot of a Bride admiring her wedding dress hanging from a door next to a window, with the light shining through illuminating the details of the dress

A bride swaying around in a voluptuous, ball gown dress in the bridal suite of the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis, Minnesota

A fun wedding shot of a bride, and her bridesmaids in their matching black outfits, doing a champagne spray to celebrate the start of the wedding day in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Groom Getting Ready Shot List

Groom with all his groomsmen in their “natural habitat” 😉 (Usually chilling, playing pool, maybe golfing or watching football etc)
Groom putting on his shoes
Groom putting on his tie (can include best man or Dad)
Groom putting on his jacket
Groom adjusting his cuffs

Groom with navy blue suit adjusting his cuffs on his white long sleeve shirt

Groomsmen in white button up shirts and khaki pants throwing the groom in the air next to a lake.

Wedding shot of groom with his best man and dad giving him encouraging taps on his back and shoulder in Minneapolis, MN

Groom in a navy blue suit surrounded by his groomsmen in oatmeal colored suits with peach boutonniere pocket squares in Stillwater, Minnesota

First Looks Shot List

Bride doing a final reveal with bridesmaids (can include Mother and Mother-in-law)
Bride doing a first look with her Dad
Bride and Groom first look
Bonus first looks can include: Grandparents, siblings etc

Bride in an open back wedding dress with criss cross straps standing behind her groom while he faces away waiting to turn around and see his bride for the first time in her wedding dress

Bridesmaids in black dresses standing in a row closing their eyes as they're about to open them and see the final reveal of the bride in her wedding dress

Emotional bride and groom exchanging private vows in a field with trees in Minnesota

A bride swaying around in her dress in front of her bridesmaids who are wearing terracotta bridesmaids dresses

Pre-Ceremony Shot List

Bride and groom portraits straight after first look
Fun wedding party group photos with bridesmaids and groomsmen
Individuals shots with each bridesmaid
Individual shots with each groomsmen
Fun photos with Bride and bridesmaids
Fun photos with Groom and groomsmen
Fun photos with Bride and groomsmen
Fun photos with Groom and bridesmaids
Immediate family photos
Venue details of interior and exterior, floral arrangements, table decor and seating

Bride and groom standing underneath a clear umbrella in the mist rain with a simple white rose bouquet at the Machine Shop Wedding venue in Minneapolis

A Groom in a black suit holding his bride from behind as they stare out the large window. The bride is wearing a voluptuous mermaid wedding dress.

Close up wedding shot of Bride and groom standing underneath a clear umbrella with small rain droplets on, at the Machine Shop Wedding venue in Minneapolis

Bride and Groom in focus looking at each other while the wedding party is out of focus running around them

Ceremony Shot List

Empty ceremony location
Candids of guests walking in
Groom walking parents down the aisle
Groom walking grandparents down the aisle
Each couple walking down the aisle
Flower girls and ring bearers walking down the aisle
Bride and Father walking down the aisle
Grooms reaction
Father giving Bride Away
Bride and Groom standing together by the altar
Wide shot of the whole ceremony space with Bride and Groom up front
Mother-and-father of the Bride
Mother-and-father of the Groom
Groomsmen standing up front
Bridesmaids standing up front
Special readings and unity ceremony (lighting candles together, pouring sand, tying knot etc)
Exchange of rings and vows
The first kiss
Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle as Mr & Mrs (Confetti throw)
Dip kiss at the end of the aisle with guests cheering in the background
Immediately after ceremony group shot of all the guests

A bride and groom pouring sand together into a glass vase for their outdoor unity ceremony

A bride and groom standing together in front of the alter holding hands. They are surrounded by willow trees and lush green grass. Flower petals are scattered down the alter of their outdoor wedding ceremony in Stillwater

A bride walking down the aisle at her outdoor wedding ceremony in Stillwater, Minnesota

Bride and Groom dip kissing while guests throw eucalyptus confetti at them

Bride and groom dip kissing at the end of the aisle while guests blow bubbles around them

Bride and groom walking back down the aisle laughing while guest throw eucalyptus confetti petals at them

After Ceremony Shot List

Receiving line and/or guests congratulating couple
Extended family photos and group photos
Cocktail hour (food, guests mingling etc)
Grand Entrance
Cake Cutting/Champagne tower
Sunset Portraits of Bride & Groom
Speeches
First dances
Dancing and partying
Sparkler exit

Wedding shot of bride and groom slow dancing in front of a big window inside the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis

Flash photo of bride and groom kissing during their cake cutting on the back patio of a mansion. String lights are hanging behind them

Bride in a sparkly long sleeve wedding dress pouring champagne into the top glass of the champagne tower

Wedding day sparkler exit shot of Bride & groom kissing at the end of the tunnel

Maid of honor standing giving a heart warming speech to wedding guests at a wedding in Minnesota

Confetti pop during speeches at a wedding in Stillwater Minnesota

Bride dancing and lifting her hands in the air on the dance floor with glow and the dark sticks around them

Bride and groom kissing during golden hour on the Stillwater Bridge crossing the Mississippi river with their wedding party following behind

Sunset portrait shot of a bride and groom underneath a veil with pearls

About Heidi Straus Photography

Hi, I’m Heidi Straus- a Wedding and Elopement Photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’m an energetic, fun person who loves capturing timeless, documentary style photos. I like taking direction and making my couples feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera! I hope you found this wedding day shot list guide extremely helpful! If you’re in need of a photographer who can help you plan and capture your special day – let’s chat! Inquire by filling out my contact form HERE. I will happily send over my detailed investment guide and welcoming brochure.

Wedding and Elopement photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota- Traveling world wide

Bonus Tips for Your Wedding Day

Now that you have the perfect shot list for your wedding day, you’re going to need the best wedding day timeline to make sure you have enough time to capture all these special moments! Click HERE for the best wedding day timeline for your wedding day.

After crafting up the best wedding day timeline, be sure to check out these super helpful top tips for brides HERE.

A bride in an open back wedding dress with thin criss cross straps walking on a golf course with all her bridesmaids