Wedding Photography - FAQ

What are the must-have wedding photos?

If you're planning on submitting your wedding photography to a wedding website, blog, or magazine, we highly encourage couples to ensure their photographer captures a full glimpse of the big day. Your shot list should of course include the special moments of both you and your guests as well as formal photos of you, your wedding party, and your families; however, it's very important that all of the details throughout the venue are also captured on camera. 

Your bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, the groom's boutonniere and the groomsmen's boutonnieres, your wedding invitation suite, wedding shoes and accessories, your wedding rings, favors and welcome bags, escort cards and wedding signage, and so on. You'll also want to ensure detail shots are taken of both the ceremony and reception décor, as well as room shots to capture the entire space or landscape shot. We also love to see great portrait photos of the bride and groom, brides and bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite, the moment guests arrive, the first dance and last dance (if you're partaking in the new trend), the cake cutting and other traditions, everyone on the dance floor, and anything you want to always remember from your wedding day. 

How do you find wedding photographers?

It's not always easy to find the right photographer for you – especially if you're having a destination wedding and haven't received any personal recommendations; however, you can look to members of the IGBO Weddings Editors Circle to find vetted wedding photographer options that will capture imagery you'll cherish forever, as well as find photography professionals by browsing social media. 

It's not always easy to find the right photographer for you – especially if you're having a destination wedding and haven't received any personal recommendations; however, you can look to members of the IGBO Weddings Editors Circle to find vetted wedding photographer options that will capture imagery you'll cherish forever, as well as find photography professionals by browsing social media. 

Ask your photographer if they'll also be having a second photographer (often called a second shooter) to ensure the details as well as the perfect shot of the bride, groom, or their families and closest friends is taken at all of the moments during your special day. 

Ask your photographer if they'll also be having a second photographer (often called a second shooter) to ensure the details as well as the perfect shot of the bride, groom, or their families and closest friends is taken at all of the moments during your special day. 

When should wedding pictures be taken?

Most weddings will have the formal wedding portraits and photos of the bridal party and family taken between the ceremony and reception while all of the wedding guests are enjoying the cocktail hour. Another option is for the bride and groom to have a "first look" – where the groom sees the bride before the wedding – so that couples, their families, and their wedding parties can take photos before the wedding even begins, allowing time for the bride and her new husband to enjoy cocktail hour with their friends and family should they choose. 

Most weddings will have the formal wedding portraits and photos of the bridal party and family taken between the ceremony and reception while all of the wedding guests are enjoying the cocktail hour. Another option is for the bride and groom to have a "first look" – where the groom sees the bride before the wedding – so that couples, their families, and their wedding parties can take photos before the wedding even begins, allowing time for the bride and her new husband to enjoy cocktail hour with their friends and family should they choose.