Wedding Video Shot Lists

As a wedding videographer, the moments you capture last forever. But only if you remember to capture them. 

A wedding video shot list is your cheat sheet to track all the must-have shots the newlyweds expect to see in their video. Using a shot list ensures your video will meet the couple's expectations, freeing up your artistic mind to be present and create the magic that exceeds their highest hopes.

Wedding Day Video Shot List Essentials

Every wedding is unique, but there are some essential moments most couples will want you to capture. Use this list as your starting point, and rest assured you'll have all your bases covered. If the couple has special requests, or you have your own signature shots or ideas, adapt this list as necessary.

Pre-Ceremony Shots

Many of the most memorable wedding day moments happen before the ceremony even starts. The pre-ceremony portion of a wedding video captures moments like these as the anticipation builds:

• Each partner getting ready — hair, makeup and dressing
• Each partner's detail shots
• Each partner with their bridesmaids or groomsmen
• Each partner sharing what they love about the other
• Establishing shots of the ceremony venue
• The bride arriving in and getting out of the wedding car
• Inside shots of the ceremony area

Ceremony Shots

The wedding ceremony is all about the two people joining their lives together as everyone gathers to witness their commitment. Most of the fairytale moments they've dreamed about all their lives will happen during the ceremony, so be sure to catch these:

• Guests arriving and finding seats
• The groom walking in
• The groom waiting at the altar
• The bride walking down the aisle
• Everyone standing for the bride
• The groom reacting to the bride
• The rest of the bridal procession
• The father of the bride handing her over
• The bride and groom approaching the altar
• Both sets of parents watching from their seats
• Both sets of bridal party watching from their positions
• Exchanging vows 
• Putting on rings
• The officiant's speech
• Pronouncing the couple as officially married
• The first kiss
• The couple exiting down the aisle
• Leaving the ceremony venue, including confetti, doves or any other special gestures
• Any important cultural, religious or family traditions incorporated into the ceremony

Post-Ceremony Shots

At most weddings, the newlyweds and their wedding party head off for a photo shoot between the ceremony and the reception. Meanwhile, the guests mingle over cocktails, lawn games or other planned activities. Use this time to focus on the relationships between the glowing newlyweds and their loved ones and on the smiles of guests as they reflect on the ceremony and look forward to the reception. Look out for these shots:

• Establishing shots of the reception venue
• Inside shots of the reception venue
• The couple and wedding party's post-ceremony shoot
• Any staged portrait shots you have in mind
• The cocktail hour or any other activities between the ceremony and reception. Remember that the bride and groom don't just want to see themselves in the final product so be sure to get plenty of family and guest shots throughout the day!

Reception Shots

The reception is the culmination of the wedding festivities. Be sure to highlight the fun and joy as everyone celebrates, along with some more tender moments. Enjoy the party, but remember to grab these shots:

• Wedding party introductions
• Bride and groom introductions
• The first dance
• Toasts and speeches with reactions
• The bride and groom's dance with their mother or father
• Plenty of shots of the guests dancing
• Tender bride and groom moments during the reception
• Cake cutting
• The bouquet toss
• The last dance
• The bride and groom's exit

10 Wedding Videography Shot List Tips and Tricks

Now, you have the backbone of your wedding video shot list. Here are our top 10 tips for getting the most out of it:

• Ask for requested shots: Ask the bride and groom for their lists of requested shots. If any of these aren't already on your shot list for this wedding video, add them.
• Ask about traditions: Ask about any cultural, religious or family wedding traditions they want you to capture. Some of these may be so normal to the bride or groom that they forget to include them in their requested shots list. Asking specifically about traditions is a good way to remind them so you can look out for these moments.
• Get a timeline: Contact the wedding planner or maid of honor and request a detailed timeline of the day. They'll likely need this themselves anyway and won't mind sharing it. Once you know the shots you're looking for, recognizing when to expect them is the next most important way to ensure you capture those moments.
• Scout the venue: If you can arrange it, visit the venue beforehand and scout out the spaces you'll be shooting. Visualize the key moments and plan how to position yourself for clear shots of each.
• Acknowledge limitations: Look through your complete shot list carefully and confirm it's possible to get all those shots. If you're shooting alone, you can only be in one place at a time. If any shots make it practically impossible to get any of the others, flag this for the couple. Agree together on whether to leave a shot out or hire a second shooter. 
• Check what to exclude: Ask the couple if there's anything that will or might happen on the day that they don't want in their video. These could be moments they'd rather not remember or intimate ones to keep private. If you happen to catch any in your footage, take note of them to remove during editing.
• Prepare your equipment: Plan and prepare all your equipment early, including lenses and settings for each part of the day.
• Carry two copies: Always carry two copies of your shot list in case you lose one. Even if you prefer to have it in digital form, print a physical copy as your backup.
• Color code: Create your own system of symbols and color coding to mark up your list. You could use these markers to indicate close-ups, establishing shots and other types of shots or to group shots you'll take from the same position.
• Shoot more than you need: Snap key shots multiple times and get some b-roll beyond the items on your shot list. This helps ensure you have the quality and quantity of footage the couple expects for their video.

Outsource Editing With Uncut Gems

Congratulations! You've followed your shot list, captured the key moments several times over, and picked up some b-roll and a bunch of unusable shots of closed-eye smiles and awkward expressions along the way. 

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