Wedding photography shot lists...

You probably want some group photos, but we don't want to spend every last minute taking every possible combination. This would leave no time or energy for your very expensive skilful photographer to use his talents to capture the rest of your day with creativity. So how do you avoid either missing vital shots, or ruining the vibe of your reception – both of which are equally disappointing? Since I know you're such a fan of lists ;-) here is mine.

How to write a wedding photograph shot list

1. (The most important) If you can possibly help it, don't. Check out my list below, and if it's enough, stick with it. Or only add two or three more!

2. Only list shots you need me to remember. We can also just make it up as we go.

3. Don't state the obvious. “Bride and groom, bride and groom cutting cake... they're a given.

4. Don't use lists from magazines. These are just page fillers written by bored magazine editors and have nothing to do with your family. They will waste your precious wedding day to no good effect.

5. Think about your guests, your life and your family and work out what is meaningful to you. Especially the unexpected things like “four generations of Smith women” or “friends from Australia”.

6. Choose photos not just of people but also important objects or mementos, family traditions, etc.

7. Brief your bridal party! Let them know when they'll be needed so they shouldn't rush off or get lost on the way to the reception. And ask someone in the know (who may or may not be an usher) to help in rounding people up.

(Rather than pad this list out to 10, I'm setting a good example by keeping it short!)

My standard groups

Bear in mind this is only the formal and uninteresting stuff – I'll spend most of my day taking FAR more exciting photographs:

• bride and parents
• bride and bridesmaids
• groom, best man and ushers
• groom and parents
• bride and groom with:
  • parents
  • best man
  • ushers
  • bridesmaids
  • all guests (absolutely everyone)
  • bride's family
  • groom's family

PS.

Here's an extra tip from one of my brides. Gill is as clever as she is beautiful and suggests that you put the rough number of people in brackets after groups where it's not obvious like "Groom and family (12), Bride and uni friends (75)". This would hint at which groups we can fit in quickly, or which ones will need more space, etc.