The 10 Most Important Shots to take on your wedding. Your Wedding Photographer must Capture these 10 important shots on your wedding day.
Beautiful photos will be cherished for the rest of your life. These are the images you’ll display in your home and you’ll go through the album years later with your children and even your grandchildren . The fact that your wedding photos are so important goes without saying, but here’s what’s really shocking–it all comes down to 10 images that will make or break your wedding album. Of-Course, your photographer will suggest and capture many more, but ultimately you want to make sure these shots are nailed and that these specific shots on the big day are taken.
Getting In The Dress. As a photographer when I arrive early to start the Bridal photos, I always look forward to seeing the bride in the dress.. this is something that all brides absolutely love and cant wait for – the make up and hair has been professionally done and now the dress goes on, the look that the Bride planned for all comes together at that moment and at that time – she looks in the mirror and there stands a beautiful woman as a bride looking the way that she’s imagined and thought about since she was a little girl.
The Bride And Her Dad. Before the world of boyfriends and weddings, “Dad” was the only man in your life. Your big day is going to be filled with many heartfelt moments that you will always cherish and then be put into “the Storybook” as a memory. We also recognise that not everyone is able to have their dad walk them down the aisle or be part of their wedding, and so we pay tribute to all the great memories you have experienced with the ones you love and for those dads who do get to give their daughter away this shot is without doubt an extremely important one.
The Groom When He First Sees His Bride. It’s one of my favorite shots to take ever: The moment when the groom first lays eyes on his bride coming down the aisle. The emotions usually range from a huge smile showing his total happiness to full-blown tears of joy.. I have seen grooms crying many times on my weddings… doesn’t matter how big or tough they are, nothing prepares you for that moment, it’s sure to be a memorable photograph and one you’ll treasure for years to come.
The Bride Walking Down The Aisle. In 24 years of photographing weddings in that time ive met a lot of brides and experience has taught me that It’s the moment all brides dream of since you were a little girl–being walked down the aisle by your dad to your future husband. The photographer will no doubt capture the look of joy on your face but will hopefully be able to fit your beaming guests into the shot as well.
The First Kiss. The moment when you’re finally pronounced husband and wife is one of the greatest moments of the entire day, so there’s no doubt you’ll want the first kiss captured. I personally love the wide shot where you can see the couple kissing, as well as a view of main wedding party looking on. 
Your Walk Down The Aisle As Husband And Wife. The Ceremony has just finished, the registers signed and you have sealed your love for one another in front of your nearest and dearest friends and family, you’re now officially husband and wife. Those smiles on your faces need to be captured for your future generation to see. 
The Creative and fun Shots. This is the moment that you are taken away from the wedding guests and its just the Bride and Groom and the Photographer. This is when you know you have picked the right person to take your pictures. This is when you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident in front of the camera and just know that all the magazines and Pinterest panels you’ve looked at and thought “i like that type of picture” is going to be taken, and your images that are in your mind created. If this choice isnt right then it doesnt matter if you have the best venue in the world or even a Palace, your pictures will not reflect you as a couple how you want to be seen. Little comments and a closeness between photographer and bride and groom makes for the Perfect pictures. These are an absolute must on the day lots of fun and classical pictures together at your chosen locations.
The Complete Wedding Party. You’ll want a picture done of all of the people who were important enough to be a part of your bridal party. Be sure to include at least one photo of everyone–bridesmaids, ushers, both sets of parents, flower girls and everyone who played a special role in your wedding day. Are you soon to be the best man at a wedding ? click here to see what you need to do
The Speeches. No matter how many times you might have got up to speak in front of people ..when it is a wedding the speeches are such a major point that everyone looks forward to hearing. Theres are 3 Speeches in all.. dad, groom and Best man and sometimes the Bride. Theres nothing more beautiful than when the groom tells everyone how he was feeling up to the moment that he waited for his bride to walk in then when she did how his heart stopped for a second. The room is usually dead silent and the faces of the guests at that moment is priceless.
The First Dance. The days been perfect, the meal was amazing.. the Band or DJ are set up and now its time for the evenings entertainment to begin. The guests are invited in and surround the dance floor then the Bride and Groom make their entrance in to start the evenings dancing off. The song is perfect and the first dance takes place.. once this has happened the Bride usually dances with her dad and then the drunken dancing commences and the party kicks in.
The Closing Shot. My personal favourite closing image to the weddings I Photograph is usually a night shot of the venue with the couple on their own, a sunset or a beautifully lit house. These picture makes the perfect closing shot to the day and gets you away from the Party to reflect on your evening for a brief moment while it is in full flow.
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Photography and Blog Post by John Paul ODonnell
