17 Must-Take Wedding Photos (That Don’t Include You!)
There are several very important photos your photographer will take where neither you nor your spouse will be included at all.
Yes, you and your future spouse are clearly going to be the center of attention on your wedding day – and prominently featured in many, many photos. But, there are several very important photos your photographer will take where neither you nor your spouse will be included at all.
Check out our list of essential photos that don’t include you.
The dress, solo
A photo of the bridal gown hanging by itself (preferably in a scenic location) is an iconic shot and gives you the opportunity to swoon over it for years to come.
Close-ups of personal flowers
Make sure your photographer takes photos of the bouquets, boutonnieres, and other personal flowers. Years from now, you’ll want to remember how gorgeous they looked.
The accessories
Jewelry, shoes, bow ties, cufflinks and more – all the little details that make your look uniquely you. You might not be able to see these accessories so clearly in photos while you’re wearing them, so your photographer should shoot them solo so you’ll always remember what you wore.
The rings
Take some shots of your newest accessories – the engagement rings and wedding bands, too! Photographers often like to take creative and artistic shots of the rings for a fun twist.
Your venue
Whether you’re marrying indoors or out, at a house of worship, on the beach, in a ballroom, or any other venue type, you’ll want to remember exactly how it looked on your wedding day. Your photographer can take a few exterior shots of your venue so you can remember how amazing it is!
Heirloom details
Make sure to let your photographer know if there are any small but special details that are extra-important—for example, if you’re carrying a handkerchief that belonged to your grandmother, or wearing a special piece of jewelry. These items deserve to be photographed, too.
The stationery
Be sure to bring a copy of your invitation, save-the-date, and other paper goods so that your photographer can take photos of them for posterity.
Kids Being Kids
Your littlest guests will likely provide comic relief during your wedding. Even if they aren’t on their best behavior, you’ll want to remember how cute they were on your big day!
Ceremony decor
You may not be able to see all of your ceremony décor up close (you’ll be a little busy during the ceremony, we assume!), so your photographer can take some shots of all of the décor for you to view later on.
Your family’s reactions
There are a lot of things to focus on during your ceremony – the words of your officiant, your very-soon-to-be spouse, your vows, and more. You may not get a chance to see the emotion on your parents’ and other close friends’ and relatives’ faces up close. It’s your photographer’s job to capture them at this important moment.
Your wedding party during the ceremony
It’s an honor to have your nearest and dearest standing by your side. You’ll want to remember how they looked as they watch you wed.
Reception decor
You spent hours figuring out the color palette, choosing the centerpieces, picking out the linens, and thinking about the lighting – and your hard work has paid off! Your photographer should take both wide shots of the reception space and close-ups of the centerpieces and other important décor items. These photos should be taken before the guests arrive, when the flowers and décor is at its most pristine.
The food and drink
We fully recommend eating at your wedding – but there’s a chance you may skip the food to enjoy mixing and mingling with your guests. Your photographer can take photos of the food so that you can remember what it looked it – even if you didn’t actually taste it!
Your guests rockin’ out
From your besties to your Great Aunt Mimi, your guests will (hopefully) hit the dance floor all night long! You’ll love looking back and seeing their crazy dance moves years from now!
Everyone enjoying the party
During your reception, be sure to take a moment, look around, and remember seeing all of the people you love in one room together. Your photographer can also capture this moment in an image.
The cake
A sweet treat that’s (almost) too pretty to eat! Of course, the cake cutting photos are a big photo op but make sure that photos are taken before the cake is cut.
The toasts
Wedding toasts can be emotional or just plain silly – but they come from the heart. You’ll want some shots of whoever is giving the toasts during your reception.
