Mr. DeMille Wants to Know: Are You Ready for Your Wedding Close-Up?

photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com

While weddings take months to plan, it feels like the actual day itself can go by in an instant. Making the following analogy ideal… Planning a wedding is to the actual day as Michael Phelps’ training is to the Olympics.

Phelps trained day in and day out for years in order to jump in the pool, swim less than a minute and take home the gold… 8 times. It’s madness, I tell you! Complete madness!

And while your wedding day might not garner you the same fame as eight Olympic gold medals did Sir Phelps, it’s still one you’ll hopefully want to remember forever. But how do you remember something forever when it’s done in a flash?

In pictures, of course!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a schmillion times… Your wedding photos are hands down some of the most important – if not the most important – keepsake you’ll have from your day. So, it’s important to make them count!

Recently, theknot.com put out a list of the 50 (New!) Must Have Wedding Photos for Your Album, and I’m dying to know what you think (or what you would add!)! While I consider several of the items to be a bit of “Pete and Repeat” and slightly unorganized, I do think it’s crucial to get as many ideas as possible; hence why i even put a few more of my personal suggestions at the end as well! Whoop, whoop! So, without further adieu, here they are (with a couple examples from our big day courtesy of the ahhhhmazing Jessika and Jimmy Feltz!!):

1. A Really Good Kissing Shot

2. The Guys Getting Ready (see also #21, #41, #43 and #50)

Ohhh to be a dude on the wedding day. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

3. Your Bouquet (see also #10, #14 and #49)

4. The Reception Tables

5. Your Shoes (see also #25)

Granted, this is merely the heel of my shoes... but I love this shot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

6. You — In Action

7. Your Favors

8. Your Wedding Party Kids — Junior Brides, Ring Bearers, Flower Girls, etc.

Haha! Yessss! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

9. The Wedding Cake

10. Bridesmaid’s Bouquets (see also #3, #14 and #49)

11. The Ceremony — Pulled Back

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

12. Your Dress

13. Your Hairstyle

14. His Boutonniere (see also #3, #10 and #49)

15. Candid Shots of Your Bridesmaids

Love love love these ladies! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

16. The Ceremony — From a New Angle

17. Your Wedding Party –Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Miniature Attendents, etc.

18. Your Guests

Might I suggest doing a Photo Booth? The pics WILL be epic. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

19. The Scene (see also #32)

20. The Reception — Pulled Back

21. Getting Ready with Your Mom (see also #2, #41, #43 and #50)

22. A “New Angle” Photo (see also #46)

23. The Ceremony Details

Part of the Four String Quartet (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

24. Your Jewelry

25. His Shoes (see also #5)

26. A Sign of the Times Shot — Twitter, iPad, Facebook, etc.

27. Your First Dance

28. A Posed & Composed Couple’s Shot

From our editorial / aeroplane shoot :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

29. The Escort Cards

30. A First Look Photo

31. A Silhouette Shot

Feel free to include the groom too, hehe! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

32. A Scene Setter (see also #19)

33. A “Magic Hour” Photo — reference term of photographers for right before sunset or right after sunrise when the light is best

34. The Wedding Dog

35. The Little Odds & Ends

One of our reception decorations standing proud. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

36. The Getaway Car

37. A Dramatic Couple’s Shot

Again, from our editorial / aeroplane shoot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

38. A Funky Backdrop Couple’s Shot

39. A Movie-esque Old Hollywood Shot — Black & White

40. The Lighting

From inside one one of the trees :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

41. Your Bridesmaids Before the Ceremony (see also #2, #21, #43 and #50)

Grouped together outside the church! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

42. You and Your Dad

43. Getting Ready Photo of You (see also #2, #21, #41 and #50)

44. A Before the Ceremony Toast

45. Your Glamour Shot

46. An Artistic Angled Shot (see also #22)

47. A Stolen Moment Away

Just the two of us! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

48. Your Fashion Shot

Hiiiiiiiiit it! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

49. The Boutonnieres (see also #1, #10 and #14)

50. A Before the Ceremony Shot (see also any # that becomes before the ceremony, hehe!)

I would also like to offer few more shots you could benefit from… ’cause goodness KNOWS I did!

• Cake Cutting
• Other “Special” Dances (ie. father/daughter, mother/son etc.)
• Speeches & Toasts
• Bouquet Toss
• Garter Toss
• The FOOD! (Dead sere, these were some of my faves!)
• Bridal Exit from Church
• Wedding Party Entrance to Reception
• Grandparents
• Guest Book