Once your guests have all left, your dress has gone to the dry cleaners, and is getting packed away forever, and your bouquet is wilting, what you have left from your wedding day is the photos of those beautiful memories. All of the details that you painstakingly spent months coordinating and getting exactly right are left to live on through your photos.

It’s no wonder that capturing those memories is a priority for many couples.

When choosing your photographer, you need to find someone whose style you love, and who’s personality suits you. Much like finding a Celebrant. Your photographer will be spending the most time with you on your wedding day and will be there for all of your most intimate Moments (some you may not even share with anyone else).

The photos you get on the day will really come down to your photographer and their style. You are relying on the photographer you choose and trust to utilize their professional artistic vision to tell the story of your day. Although most photographers know what they should and would normally capture on most occasions, be sure to let them know of any little details they may miss such as family heirlooms, memorial pieces for loved ones who have passed or nana’s lace handkerchief that you’re going to hide in your bra for when you start crying during your vows.

In terms of photos getting ready, you really only need the final touches of putting on your makeup and getting dressed. Your photographer will have time to get all of your small detail shots as soon as they arrive, while you’re getting your hair and makeup done.

Make sure you have all of your details together when your photographer arrives so they can easily access them and go straight to work getting creative with your stuff.

This includes:

• Shoes
• Perfume
• Dress
• Jewellery
• Flowers
• Garter
• Veil
• Rings

And for the guys:

• Shirts
• Jackets
• Belts
• Shoes
• Cufflinks
• Rings

If the photographer isn’t covering the guys getting ready and they have the rings, you may not want to take the rings off after you’ve finally got them on your finger, so be sure to get photos that feature the rings on your hand.

Before you leave for the ceremony make sure you take a few Moments to get photos with your parents and bridal party. Capturing those Moments putting on your parents buttonholes are always so touching and of course your bridesmaids helping to put on your jewellery.

What you will need to emphasise to your photographer is the special people in your lives. They do not know all of your friends and family and it will be hard for you to get around and see everyone.

Be sure to include your grandparents. They are the pillars of your family and also the oldest. It’s unfortunate but I have been asked many times if I managed to capture any other photos of someone who has recently passed away. Your photos are memories not just for you but for your family and future generations.

Make a list of family photos that are important to you and get a family member or someone from the bridal party to help locate those people and tick them off the list. (There is an ideas list below)

Pinterest is a great resource for getting inspirational shot ideas, but don’t expect your photographer to copy anything exactly. If you show them some ideas it will give them a very good idea of the sorts of photos that you like, for me I can usually see a theme, such as sunny backlit photos, landscapes, close-ups, intimate, candid or silly Moments. Your wedding day is unique, so use this opportunity to create your own unique photos and not something everyone has seen before.

It’s a good idea to let your photographer know what you’re planning to do with your photos. For example if you plan on doing an album, you’ll want lots of variety in your detail shots to give you plenty to work with when creating your design. If you plan to do a big art piece for your lounge room wall, you probably want more of the landscape rather than a close up of yourselves kissing.

While this is not a comprehensive ‘list’, of what you need to get photos of on your wedding day, it’s giving you the important things you need to think about to pass on to your photographer. Every wedding is unique and your photographer will know what to do. Enjoy your day and leave the rest to the professionals!

Leoni is the founder of Leoni Bolt Photography and she has been photographing weddings since 2005. Prior to that she had worked in many wedding venues across Australia. Her team work together in a candid and relaxed style, capturing all of the heartfelt Moments of your day. Their new studio ‘Bolt Studioz’ has recently opened up in North Brisbane.