What Photos to Expect in Your Wedding Gallery

One of the most exciting parts of getting married (besides the actual wedding day, of course!) is receiving your wedding photos.

Your gallery will be filled with a mix of candid, emotional, and beautifully composed images that tell the full story of your day. But what exactly can you expect to see in your final collection?

As a wedding photographer, I don’t work from a strict shot list—I focus on capturing the real, natural moments as they happen. Every wedding is unique, and my approach is to document what unfolds rather than staging every moment.

That said, I know it can be helpful to have a rough idea of what I typically capture, especially when it comes to formal group photos.

This guide will walk you through the types of images you can expect in your gallery, as well as some helpful tips for planning your group shots.

Managing your Expectations: What’s Possible in Your Wedding Photos

Wedding days are busy, and while I do my best to capture as much as possible, there are natural limitations—especially if I’m photographing solo. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Getting ready coverage is usually focused on one location. If you and your partner are getting ready in different places and there’s no second photographer, I can only capture one of you.

• During the ceremony, I can only be in one place at a time. I’ll work to get the best angles possible, but I can’t capture everything from every viewpoint.

• Formal photos take time. Group photos are important, but they also eat into your day. I recommend keeping your formal group shots to around 10 key combinations (more on this below) to avoid spending too much time away from the celebrations.

• If there’s something incredibly important to you, let me know ahead of time. I’ll capture everything I can, but if there’s a specific must-have shot—like a special heirloom, a sentimental moment, or a guest you don’t want to miss—please tell me in advance so I can prioritise it.

What’s Typically Captured in Your Wedding Gallery

Here’s an overview of the kinds of photos you can expect in your final gallery:

Getting Ready

• Candid moments with your wedding party

• Hair and makeup moments

• Details like your dress, shoes, jewellery, and invitations (I love curating Flat Lay images!)

• Emotional moments (first look with parents or bridal party, letter exchanges)

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Ceremony

• Venue and decor details

• Guests arriving and interactions

• The processional (walking down the aisle)

• Your partner’s reaction to seeing you

• The vows, ring exchange, and first kiss

• Guest reactions and emotions

• Signing the register

• Walking back up the aisle as newlyweds

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Post-Ceremony & Group Photos

• Confetti throw (if planned)

• Candid congratulations from family and friends

• Formal group photos (see recommended list below)

• Wedding party portraits

• Couple portraits in beautiful locations

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Reception & Evening

• Venue and table setup details

• Speeches & guest reactions

• Cake cutting

• First dance

• Dance floor moments

• Evening/sunset couple portraits (if possible)

  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  
  

The Formal Group Photos

I always recommend keeping your formal group shots to a maximum of 10 key groups. This is because each group photo takes around 3 minutes to organise and capture, meaning 10 photos can take up to 30 minutes—and most couples don’t want to spend that long standing in one spot! Of course, if you’d like to include more, that’s completely fine, but it’s good to be mindful that extra group shots will cut into other parts of your day (such as mingling with guests or enjoying your drinks reception).

Recommended Formal Group Shots:

1. Couple with both sets of parents

2. Couple with bride’s immediate family (parents & siblings)

3. Couple with groom’s immediate family (parents & siblings)

4. Bride with parents

5. Groom with parents

6. Couple with grandparents

7. Couple with full wedding party (bridesmaids & groomsmen)

8. Couple with bridesmaids

9. Couple with groomsmen

10. Couple with close friends

    
    

If there are any additional groups that are really important to you—such as extended family, godparents, or special friends—let me know in advance so we can factor in the time needed.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding gallery will be filled with the real, natural moments that make your day special. While I don’t follow a strict shot list, I want to ensure the most meaningful parts of your wedding are captured. If there are must-have photos, just let me know before the big day so I can plan accordingly!

I hope this guide helps you feel more prepared and excited for your wedding photography. If you have any questions or want to chat about your photo priorities, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear about your plans!