55 Must-Have Wedding Photos to Tell Your Love Story Perfectly

From the first look to the final dance, the ultimate shot list that captures all the emotion, magic, and moments in between

55 Must-Have Wedding Photos that Tell Your Love Story Perfectly

Dos Mas En La Mesa, Dias de Vino Y Rosas

Your wedding photos serve an important role in preserving the memories of your wedding day. Beyond simply capturing the events or who was there, they have the power to hold onto the fleeting moments, the emotion, and the stories behind them. Great photography should tell the story of the day from beginning to end, capturing everything from the quiet anticipation to the euphoric after-party. To help you work with your photographer and build the perfect shot list, we’ve mapped out the must-have photos to capture at every stage of your wedding day.

Parkers Pictures, Diego Derando

The Morning Of

The getting-ready portion of the day is often soft, quiet, and full of emotion, with a certain anticipation lingering in the air. Each lover is fully present, wrapped in the sentiment of the ritual, preparing for the unfolding and lifelong shift that awaits at the end of the aisle. It’s often the candid moments, unfiltered, fleeting, and deeply personal, that set the emotional tone for the day. Some of our all-time favorite frames begin here – final touch-ups being applied while gazing into the mirror, tears shed over a love letter from their partner, the dress hanging gracefully in the morning light, shoes and heirlooms artfully arranged in a flat lay, and the mother of the bride or bridesmaids helping with the final touches. Meanwhile, over in the groom’s room, subtle shots like adjusting cufflinks, tying a bowtie, bonding with brothers, or a quiet moment of reflection over a cigar or whisky help tell the story in parallel. It’s a moment where nerves, beauty, and excitement all mix, setting the scene while quietly building toward everything that follows.

Benjamin Wheeler, Nicole Plett, Zeven Media,
Romanova Photography, Benjamin Wheeler, Irina and Matej,
Pytlik & Bąk, Lauren Andijanto, Kristin Piteo

The First Look

The first look, is one of the most emotionally charged parts of the day. This time is all about getting a variety of compositions and angles to truly capture this pivotal moment. A great photographer will capture both perspectives, the fleeting moments before, the anticipation in your eyes as you approach, your partner’s face the second they see you, and of course, the emotional embrace. Candid reactions are key here, from tears to laughter, along with a few wide shots that pull back and a play with depth of field to show the intimacy of the moment against the full grandeur of your venue.

Bring Me Somewhere Nice, Parkers Pictures, Nawaphon P.,
Haute Weddings, Agent Girl, Pytlik & Bąk

The Ceremony

The ceremony is your wedding’s emotional heartbeat, and the photos should reflect that. It’s a fleeting window in time where you transition from parallel lives to a singular, shared path, stepping into your future together, punctuated by every frame captured. From the arrival of the bride to the quiet moments before she walks down the aisle. The grand entrance with a sweeping aerial shot of the setting to all the intricate close-ups of the decor details that make it special. The sacred moments and shared glances at the altar as you exchange vows, to the focus on the tears of joy shared by your guests. And of course, the kiss, the one that seals your destiny and embodies your love story in a single moment, followed by your joyous exit as newlyweds under a canopy of petals - each deserving of a variety of angles. It's a moment of the day that's all about variety in compositions, thoughtful pacing and perspective to truly capture the energy and emotion, and where having a second shooter shines as an invaluable investment.

Santiago Neyra, Kiwo, Stas Moiseev,
Parkers Pictures, KT Marry, Derando Studio,
Matt Godkin, Jack Henry, Ekaterina Badertdinova

The Cocktail Hour

The celebration truly begins at cocktail hour, and it’s all in the details. From the gleaming cocktails and sculptural hors d'oeuvres to the soft blur of guests mingling in the golden hour light, these photos capture the joyful in-between. A close-up of a drinks tower mid-pour or a zoom of the carefully arranged cheese boards add texture and detail to your wedding album. This is where your photographer can have a little fun with angles, depth, and light.

Tables Tables Tables, Jack Henry, Irina and Matej,
Blaise Bell, Alta, Irina and Matej

The Bride & Groom Portraits

This is your day, and your portraits should feel like a true expression of who you are—together and individually. Blend the composed with the unguarded: the quiet close-up of hands intertwined, the spontaneous laugh mid-embrace, the timeless formal frame, the sweeping wide shot set amongst your venue, and while your there - steal another kiss, just because. Don’t forget individual portraits, either. Full-length and detail shots that capture the essence of your look: the veil caught in the light, the curve of a bouquet, the expression just before the ceremony begins. These are the images that will echo long after the day is done—on your walls, in your albums, and in the quiet corners of your memory. The only rule here is to be unabashedly yourselves—whethere that be soft or spirited, romantic or editorial.

Jack Henry, Parkers Pictures, Alexa Curly,
Richard Biedul, Tiffany & Co., Monika Frias,
Isabel Ortega Sampson, Erinn Ortiz, Kseniya Antonova

The Group Portraits

While the formal family and bridal party photos are essential, some of the most memorable images often come in the in-between moments. Think laughter breaking out between takes, a bridesmaid fluffing your veil, or a perfectly timed candid of the groomsmen cracking a joke. Of course, you’ll want a few classic posed shots, but the best group portraits strike a balance between composed and completely relaxed. Let your personalities shine and don’t be afraid to play with the poses, angles, and frame.

La Dichos a, Brontë McVeigh, Marie Malandain,
Moments to Keep, Grace Kalil, Stas Moiseev

The Reception

As the lights dim and the evening celebrations begin, the reception offers a new kind of magic. Kicked off with a grand entrance as newlyweds, the moment is best captured through a mix of establishing frames that immerse you in the ambiance and tight crops that draw focus to the fleeting emotions. Aerial views and wide angle shots of glowing tablescapes set the scene, while close-ups of place settings, centerpiece arrangements and sparkling conversation across the table bring it to life. Don't overlook the power of a guest’s perspective: raising a glass or wiping away a tear during a speech, and of course, that first dance moment. The energy shifts here, and your photographer’s lens should shift with it.

Jack Henry, Dos Mes en la Mesa, Jack Henry,
Kate Anderson, Andrea Zengarini, Bring Me Somewhere Nice,
Irina and Matej, Abigail Lewis Photo, Jack Henry

The After Party

The after-party is all about letting go—and the photos should feel as unfiltered as the night itself. From your bridal mini to a packed dance floor, this is your chance to capture real movement, joy, and the kind of celebratory moments that only happen past midnight. With an iconic snap of your cake being cut, close-ups of your favorite late-night snacks, out of focus group shots mid-dance, and a final frame of fireworks popping or pool jumping, it's the end of your wedding story but with arguably the most joy.