Your wedding photos are the one thing that lasts forever. The flowers wilt, the cake gets eaten, but photos keep the memories alive. This checklist covers everything from months before the wedding to weeks after, so you don't miss a thing.
3-6 Months Before
- Book your photographer and videographer
- Discuss photography style preferences (candid, traditional, documentary)
- Schedule an engagement shoot to test chemistry with photographer
- Review photographer's contract (hours, deliverables, rights)
- Decide on a guest photo sharing solution (QR code, shared album)
- Scout photo locations at your venue (or ask your photographer to)
1-2 Months Before
- Create your guest photo album (on Keepix or your chosen service)
- Design and order QR code table cards
- Make a list of must-have formal shots (family groupings, wedding party combos)
- Plan your photo timeline with the photographer (getting ready, first look, ceremony, portraits, reception)
- Confirm venue rules on photography (flash restrictions, drone policy, etc.)
- If using a live slideshow: confirm venue has a TV/projector and WiFi
- Share your venue layout and timeline with the photographer
1 Week Before
- Test scan your QR code table cards — confirm the link works
- Share your must-have shot list with the photographer
- Identify family members who need to be in formal shots (share names + faces with photographer)
- Test the live slideshow setup (laptop → display → WiFi → upload → appears on screen)
- Charge all camera batteries and clear memory cards
- Brief your coordinator or best man/maid of honor on the QR code setup and slideshow
Wedding Day
- Place QR code table cards on every reception table
- Set up live slideshow screen and test before guests arrive
- Seed the album with a few photos before guests arrive
- Upload 5-10 photos so the slideshow isn't empty at the start
- Assign someone to monitor the slideshow display
- Have the MC or DJ mention the QR codes during announcements
- Enjoy your day — the QR codes work on their own!
Must-Have Photo Shot List
Share this list with your photographer. It's organized by timing so nothing gets missed.
Getting Ready
- The dress hanging up
- Shoes, rings, bouquet, invitation (detail shots)
- Getting hair and makeup done
- Putting on the dress / buttoning up
- First reveal to bridesmaids / parents
- Groom getting ready with groomsmen
Ceremony
- Venue / ceremony setup before guests arrive
- Guests arriving
- Processional (wedding party, flower girl, ring bearer)
- First look at the bride walking down the aisle
- Exchanging vows and rings
- The first kiss
- Recessional (walking back up the aisle)
Portraits
- Couple portraits (romantic, fun, candid)
- Full wedding party
- Bridesmaids + bride / Groomsmen + groom
- Immediate family groups (both sides)
- Extended family groups (grandparents, aunts, uncles)
Reception
- Venue details (centerpieces, place settings, decor)
- Grand entrance
- First dance
- Parent dances
- Speeches and toasts
- Cake cutting
- Bouquet / garter toss
- Dance floor candids
- Send-off / exit
After the Wedding
- Send a thank-you text/email with the photo upload link for stragglers
- Download all guest photos from your shared album
- Follow up with your photographer on delivery timeline
- Back up all photos to a second location (external drive, cloud storage)
- Order prints or a photo album of your favorites
- Share a curated selection with family and friends
Pro Tips
- Create a timeline, not just a shot list. Your photographer needs to know when each group photo happens, not just which ones you want.
- Designate a photo wrangler. Choose someone (not you) to gather family members for formal shots. This saves enormous time.
- Build in buffer time. Photo sessions always run longer than planned. Build in 15-20 extra minutes.
- Consider the light. Golden hour (the hour before sunset) produces the most beautiful portraits. Plan your couple's shoot around it.
- Don't skip the details. You spent months choosing those centerpieces. Make sure someone photographs them before guests arrive and move things around.