Must-Have Wedding Photos

*All photography by Wild Montana Wedding

You’ve been planning this day for months and it is finally almost here! The day you finally get to marry your best friend. You have every detail in place so many painstaking hours deciding decisions all to lead up to this day! You have chosen the perfect venue, wedding attire, and flowers. You have even decided on the most amazing photographer, you have to think about the photos you want your photographer to take on your wedding day!

Photographers will often have pre-made shoot lists to help give you an idea of what photos people want on their wedding day. This list can also be helpful for you to know what to expect, photograph-wise ahead of time so you are not surprised on the day of your wedding. Now, this list might not have everything you're looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for specific photos you would like. Your photographer will do our best to make them happen for you.

We wanted to share our favorite must-have wedding photos list. Like we said this is just a guide, not a setlist, if something does not fit make sure you let your wedding photographer know. We want you to have all of your dream wedding photos. We also want you to have plenty of detailed pictures to look at for the years to come! Remember you spent so much time planning these details and we are here to document them for you!

Let’s get started!

1. The Stationary

Make sure you bring all of your wedding stationery with you! This includes you saving the dates, invitations, RSVPs, and even your menus for your wedding day. This is how your wedding planning started and they set the theme of your wedding for your guests. When you have your wedding stationery with you they can incorporate some other details with them. For example, they can add in some flowers from your bouquets or even your wedding accessories to showcase your wedding stationery. If your looking for custom letterpress for your wedding check out Lichen and Pines! She is local to Montana but helps couples throughout the US!

2. Getting ready

Having your photographer in the bridal suite to take pictures of you and your ladies (or gents) getting ready is always a good idea! It is a great place for photographers to catch candid shots of you and your best friends getting ready together. Whether it be the final hair and makeup touches or getting into your amazing wedding dress or attire! Be sure to get that picture of one of your bridesmaids or your mom zipping you in!

3. Bridal Accessories

As little as they might seem you spent the time picking out the perfect wedding accessories and they deserve to be showcased. Do your accessories incorporate any of the typical wedding traditions like something borrowed or something blue? Is one of your accessories a family heirloom? Necklaces, earrings, garter we want to see them all! Photographers are creative people and they love laying out your accessories in a beautiful way! What a great way to document them being part of your wedding day!

4. Wedding Shoes

Heels, flats, the perfect white pair of Chuck Taylors, we love them all! Wedding shoes are a very important decision when it comes to your wedding attire! You chose these shoes for a reason. Whether it be for comfort or because they fit your aesthetic there was a big decision made! They make the must-have photo list for these reasons. You might get rid of them at some point but you will always have those cherished photos!

5. Bridal Portraits

This is your day to shine and feel like the model you are! You look amazing and it should be we want to show it off! This is a perfect time to get comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to move around your dress. It is also a great way to help you shake off some pre-wedding jitters you might have.

6. The Veil or Hairpiece

Veils and headpieces are a great way to compliment your wedding dress and photographers love to use them as props and take pictures with them! Your veil or headpiece can make a dramatic statement in your wedding look and that is why they make the must-have wedding photo list! They are a great detail and can make for some beautiful photos.

7. Bridal Bouquet

Flowers are one of those wedding details that can be hard to hold on to especially if you use fresh flowers. Let's be honest, flowers die and even if dry they easily fall apart. This is why your photographer takes pictures of your bridal bouquet! They want you to be able to admire the stunning bouquet you carried on your wedding day! Your wedding bouquet is also often used as a prop when doing other detailed photos.

8. Bridal Party

This makes the must-have wedding photo list for an obvious reason! You chose these people to stand by your side on your wedding day for a reason! They are your best friends and the love between you should be captured! Candid shots getting ready to pose wedding shots, insert bridesmaid pose here, photographers love to get them all! They want you to have fun with these photos and the people that are in them with you!

9. The Grooms Accessories

The groom's accessories are important also! From the boutonnieres to his watch photographers want to capture the groom's wedding style as well. They especially love the little touches like a cool pair of socks or a pair of cufflinks.

10. The Groom

His turn to feel like a model! He looks handsome all dressed up and it needs to be documented! Who knows when you will get him dressed up like this again! This is also a great place for him to also loosen up and get a little more comfortable in front of the camera!