51 Must-Have Wedding Photos You Don’t Want to Miss

You’ll want to see both sides getting ready, so ask your photographer to shoot the guys doing their ties up while the gals do the same with their zippers.

Granted, you’ll have about 100 wedding pictures of you in your dress, but a still life lets you preserve it in your memory just like the first time you saw it — a beautiful piece of wearable art.

This portrait is a great way to capture small touches, like hair and jewelry.

You’ll actually want two shots. One alone, against your dress, for a high-fashion look, and one of your two rings together, to symbolize your new union.

A cropped pic of your shoes (and fun socks!) gets an update by being casually posed.

This is probably the most often forgotten photo — it’s not part of the day, like your flowers or cake, and some couples forget to bring it (or ask someone to bring it).

You put effort into these gifts for your guests — make sure your photographer documents them before people dig in.

This may seem a little “artsy” but it’s really nice to have. After all, the groom’s extras are carefully chosen too, so why should the dress and bridal accessories get all the love?

It’s detail shots like these that will really help tell the story of your wedding.

A group shot of your bridesmaid bouquets will remind you how much fun it was having these close friends and family by your side.

The guy’s answer to the bride’s bouquet deserves its own picture.

If you took the time (and spent the money) to get the guys amazing accents for their suits, why wouldn’t you want to capture them for your album?

A posed shot worthy of a fashion magazine will make you feel like a model.

A playful take on the first look — with the bride covering her groom’s eyes — is a new classic.

You’ve heard about the first look photo, well this is the first moment the bridal party (and mom and dad) sees you.

This is one of the few personal moments of alone time you have before you say your vows, and while you’re reading you’ll be in your own world.

Whether it’s your separate car rides to the ceremony or last words of advice from parents, these final moments are emotional, and worth capturing.

The modern bridal party shot is laid-back and captures the personalities of your friends and family without being too kitschy.

Capturing each of your bridesmaids’ individual personalities makes for a great gift — just ask your photographer to create a collage (Brady Bunch–style) of everyone’s portraits.

A super-casual pic of you and your family captures how you really are — not perfect but perfectly happy.

A black-and-white shot of movement — you swishing your dress or, if the weather cooperates, your veil blowing in the wind — feels uber-romantic and timeless.

This is your wedding (and album), so if you want your photographer to do a few more artsy or dramatic shots, tell them!

An artistic angle of your bridesmaids at the ceremony gives you a perspective you weren’t able to see while at the altar.

When these kids are all grown up, how cool will it be to look back at your album and show them you really did know them — and love them — when they were itty-bitty?

Whoever accompanies you, this is a dramatic shot you’ll treasure long after the recessional.

The look on a groom’s face as he awaits his soon-to-be-spouse is always extremely emotional and beautiful.

Don’t forget to have your photographer get shots of the personalized details and touches that make your wedding yours alone.

Look at your vows from a different view altogether.

Alert your photographer to any unique aspects of your ceremony, so she can be sure to caption them.

Don’t miss shots of small touches you made to make your big moment as pretty as it is special.

Candid shots of your guests’ reactions during your ceremony give you a perspective you don’t have while you’re saying “I do.”

The recessional shot is usually one of the happiest in an album.

You’ll have a lot of photos of wedding moments, but there’s only one moment where you legally go from single to married.

Pulled-out shots of the entire space, including the sky or ceiling, really set the scene for what it was like on your wedding day.

Whether it’s you on your way to the ceremony, or you and your dad about to walk down the aisle, the small moments between the big ones sometimes make the best photos.

Getting a pulled-back shot of your reception before guests arrive will let you get a feel for “the scene” you’ve set so carefully.

A shot of your family and friends signing the guest book will make you feel like you’re a guest at your own wedding — in the best possible way.

From the centerpieces to the chairs and flatware, have your photographer capture all the decorative details.

If you spent time (or money) on unique escort cards, this is a must-have for your album.

Interesting signs telling guests where to go are functional and worthy of a photo op.

Wedding guests — and photographers! — love a cocktail that looks as good as it tastes.

A good caterer will make a menu that’s not only delicious but also beautiful — and a good photographer will be sure to snap it.

Your cake is an iconic part of your wedding — remember it well after it’s eaten by preserving it in your album.

Whether it’s the ceremony musicians or wedding band, you’ll want to capture an image of the folks who had your guests on their feet all night.

You might not remember much of your first dance, so this photo is priceless.

This and the mother-son dance are classic, emotional moments that make for touching photographs.

A shot of the festivities from above gives a unique perspective.

An image of you two listening to your families and friends’ toasts is sometimes even more meaningful than a photo of the speaker.

Whether you DIY or buy them, favors are a fun finish to your evening (and album).

A classic “just married” shot is a perfect ending to your album.

Whether you have a sparkler send-off or something more low-key, a good-bye shot is yet another way to close your album.