Must-have photos from your wedding day | Missouri wedding photographer

Titling this blog “Must-have photos from your wedding day,” may make it sound like it’s a checklist, but that is simply not the case. I want to start this post by stating every wedding day is different. Even weddings at the same venue or same time of year. Every wedding is unique and special, and no two weddings will go exactly the same way. 

With that in mind, coming in with a Pinterest board of must have images actually hinders the photo process more than helps. Trying to recreate someone else’s image takes us out of the moment on your wedding day versus capturing what is truly special and unique to your wedding. 

So what are the must-have photos from your wedding day?

This list is going to look pretty generic. And there’s a really good reason for that – I love allowing room for creativity throughout the day. And, I love curating my list based on my clients priorities. 

My must have photo list: 

• I love to photograph your details.
• Some candid getting ready photos + plus a few staged getting ready photos 
• First looks (dad, brothers, bridesmaids, etc) 
• A good chunk of portrait time with my couple to really document their love 
• Wedding party photos
• Family formals
• Candid photos of the ceremony + reception that document the events of the day 

When do I use a checklist?

I do ask in a questionnaire before your wedding day for a list of family formal combinations to capture during posed family photos. This way we have all your must have family photos in one place and we can get those knocked out!! And, I love to ask about any people or moments you want me to be on the lookout for throughout the day. It’s your wedding day, and I want to capture the people you love most celebrating this incredible day with you. 

For our own wedding, I asked my photographer to be on the lookout for me dancing with either of my grandpas, but didn’t send over any Pinterest images for inspiration. I love this kind of direction!! It means that the images we create on your wedding day will be as unique as your wedding. 

Why call this “must-have photos from your wedding day”?

I have a general idea of poses and groupings running through my head for every wedding. I always take a posed formal photo of the two of you smiling at the camera – wide and tight, horizontal and vertical – right out of the gate. Individuals with your parents and wedding party are a must. But, locations vary wedding to wedding. Wedding party sizes are different. Dresses and suit colors change. 

The “must-haves” also change in this same way for each wedding and what is important to my couple. The best thing you can do is fill out the questionnaire and let me know what family photos you’d like captured during family formal time and which photos to be on the lookout for throughout the day. 🙂 

I hope this was helpful for you! If you’d like for me to capture your wedding memories, I’d love for you to contact me HERE! 

Want to get in touch?

I am so excited you found me! And I hope this helps you think about your must-have photos from your wedding day!! Just so you to know your email is going to make my day, and I’ll probably do a little happy dance when it hits my inbox. I love email because it helps me keep all our important conversations in one place versus spreading the conversation out over email, text, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc. You can expect to hear from me within 24 hours. You can contact me here, or just shoot me an email at kelsey@kelseyalumbaugh.com