I found many couples want to ask “ Do I really need the wedding photography checklist?”
The answer is “ Yes, you need to have a list for you wedding photography”. But for most wedding photography list at Internet is for North American. In Melbourne, it is a bit different from these wedding photography checklists.
Of course, every professional and experienced wedding photographer will have their own list for wedding days every important moment to capture. It is the reason I always suggest couple choose a professional and experienced wedding photographer.
As a professional wedding photographer in Melbourne, I suggest couples (both bride and groom) come to studio one month before the big day for pre-wedding consultation. It is very important for my and couples know what will happen during wedding day. We will go through every detail for the wedding day. Normally at the pre-wedding consultation I will know some special requirements for the couple, the couple love which kind of wedding photography style and what is the couple personality.
Some brides still want to list the wedding photography checklist. I think the checklist will let every bride know what will happen during the wedding day in Melbourne.
Ok, probably the bride in Melbourne should ask “What should wedding photographer shoot photos during my big day?”
Now, I will list the wedding photography checklist and some tips.
Melbourne Wedding Day: Pre-Ceremony Wedding Photography
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Groom Get Ready
Checklist
1 Groom’s accessories
– Groom(s) and Groomsmen’s Suits
– Shoes
– Invitation card
– Wedding band
– Cufflink
– Pocket square
– Pocket flowers
– Wedding tie
– Groom’s Watch
2 Groom(s) and groomsmen getting dressed
3 Groom(s) changing shoes
4 Groom(s) wedding portrait shots
5 Groom(s) and Groomsmen drinking
6 Outdoor shots for groom(s) and groomsmen
7 Family photos
8 Car shot
9 Wedding Traditional Photography Shot
Tips
1, We normally suggest take groom get ready photos first. It is because bride and bridesmaids need to make-up. If starts from the Bride side, girls need to wake up too early.
2, Groom and Groomsmen need finish shower before the Melbourne wedding photographer come in. If wedding photographer need to wait all gentlemen finish shower it will take a lot of time.But for some traditional, groom need have some shave photos. This part needs to consider the tradition.
3, I prefer have drinking shoot after groom and groomsmen changed suit. The reason for that is groom and groomsmen will look sharp after changing.
4, For groom single portrait shots, I suggest groom prepare a clear space for wedding portrait shot. Normally for groom portrait photography, I choose low-key wedding photography. The reason is the light will change through the body shape and will show the details of suit’s textiles.
5, Some grooms love the car or motor bike, I will suggest groom have car photography shoot or motor bike photography shoot. The photos will show the personality of the groom and unfold good memory for groom and groomsmen.
6, For wedding tradition photography shoot, it is very important for groom’s family tradition. It is very important let wedding photographer know what tradition will have and let wedding photographer prepare for this part.
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Bride Get Ready
Checklist
1 Bride’s accessories
– Bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses
– Wedding Gown hanger
– Engagement ring and Jewellery set
– Bridal shoes
– Bridal Bouquet & buttonholes/corsages
– Wedding invitation card
– Perfume
2 Bride(s) and bridesmaids’ make-up and hair dress photography shot
3 Fun and open champagne with bridal party
4 Bride(s) putting on wedding dress.
5 Bride(s) putting on jewellery
6 Bride(s) putting on shoes
7 Bride(s) wedding portrait shots
8 Bride(s) putting on the veil
9 Bride(s) and Bride’s father first look
10 Family Photos
11 Bridal party leaving the house
Tips
1, The time. For every bride, she wants to look perfect during the wedding day. So, make-up is the most important and very first considering at the big day. But during the preparation time is stressful. Make-up artistic and hair-dresser should finish all the bride(s) and bridesmaids’ make-up and hair before photographer arrive. It means bride(s) need to know long will spend on the make-up and hair-dress. I always suggest bride(s) have a make-up trail before you wedding day. If it is possible, meeting your make-up artistic one or two weeks before to check your skin condition.
2, I advise the bride(s) and Bridesmaids wear the robe with the name on the back. And I normally let bride(s) and bridesmaids wearing robe have champagne photography shoot. It is safer for the girls wearing robe instead of wedding gown or bridesmaids’ dresses. And for my experience, I suggest bride(s) change shoes when she wears robe. We could have very details shoot for bride(s)’ shoes and legs.
3, Some bride(s) want to father and daughter first look photography shoot. Bride(s) need to have a good space for the wedding photographer to run from one side to other side to take wedding photography shoot or have two wedding photographers from different angle.
4, For bride(s) single portrait shot, I normally use high-key wedding photography style. It means we need to find a bright and simple backdrop.
5, Some tradition. If the bride has the traditional wedding during the bride getting ready, the couple need let the wedding photographer know it ,and organize more time for the traditional wedding photography shots.
6, If you just have one wedding photographer at the bridal getting ready, I do not suggest the wedding photographer shoot bridal party leaving the house. Because, wedding photographer needs time to ceremony place to set up all the things, for example, change battery, test light, and check the memory cards etc.
Melbourne Wedding Day: Ceremony Wedding Photography
Checklist
– Photography Shots of ceremony location, including altar, arch, flowers, interior and exterior details
– Groom and groomsmen waiting inside ceremony location
– Guests outside and inside church
– Bride(s) arriving in wedding car and stepping out of wedding car
– Bridal party entrance ceremony location
– Bride(s) and Bride(s)’ father or mother walking up the aisle
– Groom’s reaction
– Father or Mother giving bride to groom
– Exchanging of vows
– Exchanging of the rings
– Participants such as readers, the officiant, musicians etc.
– The first kiss as a married couple
– Signing the wedding documents
– The couple walking back down the aisle
– Confetti or petals throwing
– Greeting guests outside venue
– Mingling
– Group Photo and Family Photo
Tips
1, If the photographer could arrive the ceremony location before guests come inside, it is the best. Otherwise, the photography of ceremony details will contain the guests.
2, Groom needs arrive the ceremony location half hour before the ceremony starts. Melbourne Wedding Videographer needs to pin the Lavalier Microphone to the groom’s suit.
3, Bride(s) arrive the ceremony location, need to let Melbourne wedding photographer know it. During this time, wedding photographer normally take shoot for the groom or the guests.
4, If bride wants to have the groom’s reaction during the bride walking the aisle, I suggest you have two photographers. It is much safer for every moment.
5, The bride and groom need to look each other during the celebrant speaking time. Otherwise, the couple will show the back of heads to guests and camera.
6, Please have a long time first kiss. Do not be shy. You are legally couple.
7, Be happy when bride and groom walking back down the aisle. Do not be shy~
8, For the group photo and family photo, please have one person, normally is one of bridesmaid or groomsmen to organize the photo. The person needs to know the bride’s side and groom’s side family members.
Melbourne Wedding Day: Wedding Photography Location
Checklist
– Bridal party
– Bridal party with wedding car
– Couple Shots
Tips
Actually, during the Wedding photography location time is the time for Melbourne wedding photographers creating.
1, In some North American, the wedding photography must shoot the first looking for groom and bride. But in Melbourne, some couples are not allowed to meet each other until the ceremony start.
If you want to have first look during location time, it will very fake and embarrassing. So I do not suggest the couple have first look wedding photography shoot.
But if the couple do not mind, they met each other before the ceremony time. I will suggest they have first look before the bride walking to the aisle. The reaction of groom will be more nature and memorable for both of you.
2, I suggested the couple prepare some transparent umbrella. Because you never know the weather in Melbourne for next minute. The couples and photographer need to discuss the backup plan for wedding photography location if it is the raining day. The couple could check the blog for Melbourne wedding photography locations.
3, check the sunset time. Half hour before the sunset time is the golden time for wedding photography location. If the couple get married in summer time in Melbourne, I suggest we can slip out during reception time. And also you can have a look for the wedding day timeline.
Melbourne Wedding Day: Reception Wedding Photography
Checklist
– The reception set up
– Details of decorations, including table settings, centrepieces, place cards, name bord etc.
– Wedding cake and detail
– Bridal party announcement and entrance
– Cutting the cake
– The first dance
– Bride(s) dancing with father and groom(s) dancing with mother
– Speeches
– Guests dancing
– Nigh time wedding photography shoot in Melbourne
– Bride and groom exiting the reception
Tips
1 If it is possible, give the photographer some time to shoot empty reception set up. Bride also can use these times to do some retouch at the bridal room.
2 Give the photographer some time to set up all the light.
3 If you have any traditional dancing or entrance, please let wedding photographer know. For example, it is very important and unique for Lebanese Wedding. And some Asian wedding will have dragon dancing. And some Greek Wedding will let guests pin money to the bride’s veil.
4 For some tradition, the guests dancing is important. Please let photographer know it before the wedding day.
5 Not necessary to have the wedding photographer till the end of the reception. I know most of wedding photographers in Melbourne is charged by hour. If you are the budget is stress, you are not necessary to hold the wedding photographer to the end of reception.
Ok. That’s it!
With all the wedding photography checklists and tips for the wedding day, we will successful to create the wedding day memories. If you want to know what will happen at the wedding day, you can have a look the behind sense.
If you want to have a look us wedding photography jobs, please have a look here.
