The ONLY Ultimate List of Every Wedding Photo Opportunity You Can't Afford to Miss

Every Wedding Day Photo Opportunity You Can’t Afford to Miss | Wedding Photographer Kansas City

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: planning a wedding can be a major source of stress. A recent Zola study revealed that over 71% of the 500 couples surveyed felt that planning a wedding is actually more stressful than other major life changes, such as buying a house or changing jobs or careers. It makes sense, when you think about it. 

Planning your wedding day can be every bit as overwhelming as trying to choose the next Netflix binge-worthy show…on steroids. And that’s not even taking into consideration finding the perfect wedding venue, hiring vendors for photography, videography, catering, bar service, floral arrangements, linens…Then there’s choosing the perfect wedding gown, your cake or dessert, finalizing the wedding party and officiant, and keeping afloat with all the other things happening in your personal life and in the world in general. It’s enough to cause anyone to be stressed!

Wedding Photographer in Kansas City

A professional, experienced wedding photographer in Kansas City will be attentive to your wedding day timeline and will already know exactly which moments should be documented. When you meet with your wedding photographer, they should have a solid grasp of the natural, memorable moments that occur throughout the course of a wedding day. While each wedding varies by style, events and preferences from couple to couple, there are some basic components which typically remain the same.

Accessories and Detail Photos

What are wedding accessories and detail photos?

Wedding accessories and detail photos are photos of the bride’s and groom’s wedding attire accessories.

What do wedding accessories photos usually include? 

For the bride, wedding accessories photos typically include photographs of your wedding gown, shoes, and any jewelry you’ll be wearing, in addition to your engagement ring and wedding rings. They can also include your wedding invitation suite, a bottle of the perfume you are wearing, your lipstick, garter, and wedding bouquet. They can also include any special items of significance you’ll wear or carry, such as your grandmother’s brooch, your “something old, new, borrowed and blue.”

For the groom, wedding accessories photos usually include photographs of his shoes, cufflinks, handkerchief, flask, and any other accessories he’ll be wearing. Groom accessories photographs are usually taken after or during the “getting ready” photos, due to the nature of groom accessories. Bridal accessories photos are taken before the bride puts on her wedding gown.

A professional wedding photographer will remind the bride to have all her wedding accessories ready and together, preferably in a box, and available for them to photograph immediately upon their arrival. This step should always be done first. This is important to the flow of your wedding day because once you begin to put on your wedding accessories, there simply won’t be time for you to remove them all for photographs later. If floral arrangements will not be present until later in the day due to timing and floral preservation, your wedding photographer will make sure to take a few additional photos of those at that time.

If you do want photos of your wedding gown (and bridesmaids and flower girl dresses) hanging in a pretty spot, don’t forget to purchase or bring pretty, matching hangers. If you only want your wedding gown photographed, I recommend a simple, elegant wooden hanger. This will not detract from the beauty of your wedding dress and provides a timeless image.

Getting Ready Photos

What are getting ready wedding photos?

Getting ready photos are candid photos taken while the bride, bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen are getting ready for the wedding. These photos generally encompass the time in a wedding day when the bride and groom are finishing getting ready. No one typically wants photos of themselves before having a little hair and makeup done, so I recommend to start these photographs after the bride has started her makeup. 

What do getting ready wedding photos usually include?

For the bride, getting ready photos usually include candid images of the bride interacting with bridesmaids, getting her hair and makeup done, her mother, sister or bridesmaids buttoning or lacing the back of the wedding gown, putting on her shoes, putting on jewelry, putting in the veil, opening and reading a letter from the groom or opening a gift, and close up beauty shots of her hair and makeup. If the bride’s mother or sister will be helping to put on her dress, it’s important to let them know what time this will take place. Most of the time, whoever is helping the bride with the back of her dress will want to be fully ready for the wedding as they will be in many photographs at this time.

For the groom, getting ready photos usually include candid images of the groom interacting with groomsmen as they button shirts, tie ties, fix handkerchiefs, adjusting cufflinks, reading a letter from the bride or opening a gift, and any other personal details specific to the couple’s day.

Bride Reveal Photos

What are bride reveal photos?

Bride reveal photos are planned, candid photos of the bridesmaids seeing the bride in her gown for the first time. During these photos, bridesmaids are usually either already in their bridesmaid dresses, or in matching bridesmaid robes, but that detail is up to the bride.

What do bride reveal photos usually include?

Bride reveal photos include photos of the bridesmaids glimpsing the bride for the first time. These photos are typically taken from behind the bride, or off to one side, in order to capture the expressions and reactions of the bridesmaids as they see the bride in her full attire. Most of the time, the bridesmaids will want to have makeup and hair completely done for these photos, regardless of whether they will be in robes or their dresses. 

Bridal Portraits

What are bridal portraits?

Bridal portraits are planned, posed portraits of the bride in her wedding gown and veil.

What do bridal portrait photos usually include?

Bridal portraits include posed glamor-style photos of the bride in her wedding gown and veil, with an emphasis on both the details of her attire and wedding bouquet, and pulled back photos of her full body and gown with train, if any. These photos will highlight her hair and veil details, makeup, jewelry, wedding gown, wedding bouquet, and more.

Bridal portraits may take place outdoors, if the elements allow, but they may also be taken indoors. My recommendation is to plan to take these in a spot with good natural light, either hard or soft. Soft natural light will lend a romantic feel, while hard natural light will add an element of drama. A professional wedding photographer will have lighting equipment available, should the lighting situation be less than ideal, and they will find the best place to take these photos. 

In the southern states, there is a tradition of the bride having a completely separate bridal portrait session on a different day than the wedding. In this case, the bride usually schedules hair and makeup trial runs for the day of her bridal session. This allows her to see how her hair and makeup will photograph with all her attire and accessories. In some cases, these sessions are completed months before the wedding, and a large print of one of her bridal portraits is displayed at the wedding reception. This is not particularly customary in the Midwest, so if this is something you want be sure to talk to your wedding photographer about adding this option to your wedding photography package.

First Look Photos

What are first look photos?

First look photos are planned, candid photos of the bride and/or groom being seen for the first time by their closest family members and fiancè or fiancèe.

What do first look photos usually include?

Traditionally, first look photos include photos of the father of the bride seeing the bride for the first time, and the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time in their wedding attire. These moments are planned, private moments, with just the bride’s parents, or parents and siblings present for the first look with her father, and with only the bride and groom present for their first look. 

In recent years, first looks have grown to encompass additional options, such as the mother of the groom seeing the groom for the first time, and pinning on his boutonniere, or if the bride or groom has children, the children seeing the bride or groom, or both, for the first time. 

Kansas City Wedding Photographer

Bride and Groom Photos

What are bride and groom photos?

Bride and groom photos, sometimes called “formal portraits,” are planned, posed and candid photos of the bride and groom together on their wedding day.

What do bride and groom photos usually include?

Bride and groom photos, or formal portraits, usually include posed photos of the bride and groom together, with a focus on romantic and dramatic imagery. An experienced wedding photographer will have a variety of poses and interactions they’ll naturally guide the couple into, and these poses vary quite a bit from photographer to photographer. 

If the wedding photographer is more of a formal photographer, these will likely be more dramatic, while a wedding photographer with a more journalistic or documentary style will direct the couple in certain movements or interactions that will produce a more natural feel in the images. 

If the bride and groom have had a First Look, these photos usually take place before the ceremony, but if the bride and groom plan to wait to see each other until the ceremony, these photos will take place later in the wedding day, between the ceremony and reception. 

Wedding Party Photos

What are wedding party photos?

Wedding party photos are planned, posed photos of the bride and groom with their wedding party, which typically includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer, and ushers.

What is usually included in wedding party photos?

Wedding party photos typically include photos of the entire wedding party together, and various groupings from within that group. Experienced wedding photographers will begin with the entire wedding party, and pare down from there. 

For example, experience has shown me I prefer to begin with the whole wedding party, including ushers. From there, I release sets of people as they are finished. For example, if we begin with the whole wedding party and take photos with the ushers, I’ll move on to take a photo of the bride and groom with the ushers, then release the ushers. Then, we move on to photos with the remaining wedding party including children, followed by photos with the bride and groom with just the children before releasing them. Once the children are released, I move on to variations of photos with the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Most wedding party photos include photos of:

• Bride and groom with the entire wedding party and ushers

• Bride and groom with ushers

• Bride and groom with entire wedding party

• Bride and groom with the flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s)

• Bride and groom with bridesmaids and groomsmen

• Bride and groom with Maid of Honor and Best Man

• Bride and bridesmaids

• Bride with each bridesmaid

• Groom and groomsmen

• Groom with each groomsmen

Some couples also enjoy to include photos of the bride with the groomsmen and the groom with bridesmaids, and each bridesmaid and groomsman individually. However, some couples prefer to have mostly group photos with the wedding party, and spend more time on bride and groom or family photos. An experienced wedding photographer will steer your conversations and ask questions leading up to the wedding to determine what is most important to you long before your wedding day, thus eliminating a lot of photos you don’t really want or care for. 

If the bride and groom choose to have a First Look, wedding party photos usually take place in the afternoon before the wedding ceremony. If the couple chooses to wait until the ceremony to see each other, wedding party photos take place after the ceremony and before the reception.

Ceremony and Reception Venue Photos

What are ceremony and reception venue photos?

Ceremony and reception venue photos are photos taken of your ceremony and reception venue decorations and details.

What is usually included in ceremony and reception venue photos?

Ceremony and reception venue photos are planned, staged photos of the empty ceremony venue and reception venue, as well as photos of the details in each space. These photos usually include decorations, such as floral arrangements, candle arrangements, card or gift table, welcome signs, order of events signs, the aisle, the ceremony site and backdrop, the head table at the reception, table centerpieces, and pulled back photos of the ceremony space and reception space. These photos also typically include a photo of the venue from outside, weather and light permitting.

A professional wedding photographer will try to get these photos before guests arrive, but that is largely dependent on the timeline of your wedding day and if there is space in your schedule for them to accomplish this. If there isn’t time for them to capture these images in empty spaces, they will photograph venue photos during the ceremony and/or reception.

Wedding Photographer Kansas City

Wedding Ceremony Photos

What are wedding ceremony photos?

Wedding ceremony photos are planned candid photos taken during the wedding ceremony.

What is usually included during wedding ceremony photos?

Wedding ceremony photos include candid photos taken throughout the duration of the wedding ceremony, from start to finish. Typically, this includes photos of guests arriving for the ceremony, the officiant and groom at the front of the space, waiting for the processional to begin, grandparents and parents being seated by ushers, images of each groomsman and bridesmaid walking down the aisle (or each bridesmaid if they walk alone), flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle, the bride and her escort walking down the aisle, the bride being given to the groom, photos throughout the ceremony of the bride and groom, officiant, wedding party and guests from different angles if possible, any person performing special music or readings, exchange of vows, exchange of rings, first kiss and recessional.

Family Photos

What are family photos at a wedding?

Family photos at a wedding are the planned, posed photos of the bride and groom with their immediate (and sometimes extended) families.

What is usually included in family photos at a wedding?

Family photos at a wedding usually include photos of the bride and groom with each of their immediate families. This typically includes their grandparents, parents, siblings and in-laws, nieces and nephews, and the children of the bride and groom, if any. Family dynamics are important when it comes to these photos, and a professional wedding photographer will ask all sorts of questions prior to the wedding to ensure this goes smoothly on the day of. Most of the time, family photos include:

• Bride and groom with bride’s maternal grandparents

• Bride and groom with bride’s paternal grandparents

• Bride and groom with bride’s parents, siblings and in-laws, nieces and nephews

• Bride and groom with bride’s parents

• Bride and parents

• Bride and mother

• Bride and father

• Bride and siblings

• Bride and each sibling

• Groom and bride with groom’s maternal grandparents

• Groom and bride with groom’s paternal grandparents

• Groom and bride with groom’s parents, siblings and in-laws, nieces and nephews

• Groom and bride with groom’s parents

• Groom and parents

• Groom and mother

• Groom and father

• Groom and siblings

• Groom and each sibling

Some couples also request additional photos with in-laws, etc., 3 or 4 generation photos, etc. The most important thing is to communicate these in advance, if possible. Family photos can take a lot of time if not organized carefully, and professional, experienced wedding photographers know this and will plan accordingly. 

Sometimes, couples request a large group photo with the bride and groom and everyone related to the bride on each side, and the same for the groom. If at all possible, it’s best to do these immediately following the wedding before everyone scatters for the reception.

Wedding Reception Photos

What are wedding reception photos?

Wedding reception photos are candid photos taken of the bride, groom, wedding party and wedding guests throughout the course of your wedding reception. 

What is usually included in wedding reception photos?

Wedding reception photos usually include photos of the main events of the wedding reception throughout the course of the celebration. Traditional highlights typically include:

• Bride and groom entering the reception

• Reception meal, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, buffet table or table service, bar

• Cake table, gift table, card table, head table

• Toasts or speeches

• Couple cutting the cake, if any

• Couple’s first dance, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance

• Bouquet toss, garter toss

• Special dance or performance, in some instances

• Guests dancing

• Wedding party dancing

• Bride’s parents dancing

• Groom’s parents dancing

• Grandparents dancing

Wedding photographers usually take a meal break while the bride and groom are dining, to allow you to dine comfortably without a camera trained to your every bite. Upon returning, a good wedding photographer will communicate with the DJ or coordinator to ensure that the flow of the evening is moving on schedule and they don’t miss any important events. 

Sunset Photos

What are wedding sunset photos?

Wedding sunset photos are planned, posed and candid photos of the bride and groom outdoors at sunset.

What do wedding sunset photos usually include?

Wedding sunset photos typically include romantic photos of the bride and groom kissing, embracing or dancing. Many of these photos are staged, and include poses or directed motions and actions which can vary greatly depending on the photographer. Wedding sunset photos usually only take a short amount of time, and your wedding photographer should communicate with you to determine if you want these photos, and if so, when the best time is for these photos on your wedding day. 

Guest Photos

What are wedding guest photos?

Wedding guest photos are candid and posed photos of your wedding guests, taken at the wedding reception.

What do wedding guest photos usually include?

Wedding guest photos vary dramatically from wedding photographer to wedding photographer. Some wedding photographers shoot primarily candid photos of wedding guests throughout the reception, while others aim to take a posed photo of guests smiling at each table. This is not always feasible, as throughout a reception guests are constantly leaving their tables to dance, get drinks, etc., so if this is something that’s important to you remember your photographer can not control how long people remain at their table. 

Grand Exit Photos

What are wedding grand exit photos?

Wedding grand exit photos, sometimes called “send off” photos, are planned, candid and posed photos of the bride and groom leaving the reception while guests cheer and celebrate. 

What do wedding grand exit photos usually include?

Wedding grand exits vary from wedding to wedding, but most wedding grand exit photos include photos of the bride and groom leaving the reception or ceremony and walking out to their transportation amid guests cheering and waving ribbon or fabric wands, throwing flower petals, holding sparklers, or throwing confetti. Typically, an experienced wedding photographer will communicate with guests, bride and groom and staged a point during this exit when the bride and groom will pause and kiss in the middle of the path, in order to get one final great image for their wedding day album.

Whew! You probably had no idea just how many moments and memories take place over the course of your wedding day, did you? And just think, this is merely a cursory glimpse of it all! My purpose in sharing isn’t to give you a list of “must haves” to give your wedding photographer; it’s to show you that when you hire a professional wedding photographer in Kansas City, or anywhere else, you are hiring someone who knows what they are doing. They have invested years of their lives and considerable finances to learn about and understand the ins and outs of a wedding day, and you are hiring them because they know what to expect in your wedding day.

Experienced, professional wedding photographers have all of these wedding day events and more running through their minds during the planning process and during your wedding day. We’re focused on all the intricate details so you can focus on being present and enjoying the memories as you make them.

Thanks for reading about every wedding day photo opportunity you won’t want to miss! Tell me your favorite wedding moment in the comments below, read more wedding advice and guides, or view real weddings on the blog!

Do you think I might be the right wedding photographer for you? Contact me today {like, right this minute; 2022-2024 is booking fast!} and check to see if I’m available for your date!

Read More…

Some of my favorite engagements…

view real weddings…