10 Shots Every Couple Regrets Not Getting on Their Wedding Day
Your wedding day is a whirlwind of joy, love, and happy chaos. It’s easy to miss the small but meaningful moments when everything feels like it’s moving at lightning speed. That’s where your photographer comes in—capturing every tear, laugh, and unforgettable glance. But even the best photographers can’t read your mind. Many couples realize too late that they missed getting certain key shots.
Here’s a list of 10 wedding day photos couples often regret skipping, plus tips to ensure you capture them all.
Getting Ready Magic
Why It’s Important: The quiet moments before the ceremony are filled with excitement and anticipation. These shots tell the story of how your day began, capturing raw emotions and beautiful details.
What to Capture:
Candid moments: Laughing with your bridal party, popping champagne, or helping each other get ready.
Personal touches: Your dress on a hanger, shoes, cufflinks, jewelry, or family heirlooms that have sentimental value.
I’ll never forget one wedding where the groom’s sister gave him their late father’s tie to wear. The photographer caught the exact moment he teared up. That photo became a treasure for the entire family.
The First Look
Why It’s Important: The first time you see your partner on your wedding day is magical. Whether it’s during the walk down the aisle or a private moment beforehand, don’t skip this emotional shot.
What to Capture:
Traditional first look: Seeing each other for the first time in full wedding attire.
Alternatives: A “first touch,” where you hold hands around a corner or exchange letters without seeing each other.
Reactions from Loved Ones
Why It’s Important: Your guests—especially your parents and close family—will experience big emotions too. These moments add depth to your wedding album.
What to Capture:
Your mom wiping away tears as you walk down the aisle.
Your grandparents’ expressions during your vows.
The look on your dad’s face as you share your first dance.
The Ceremony Details
Why It’s Important: You’ve spent months planning the perfect ceremony space. Don’t let all that effort go undocumented!
What to Capture:
The setting: Empty chairs, floral arches, aisle decorations, and your altar setup before guests arrive.
Key moments: The exchange of vows, rings, and your first kiss.
Pro tip: These details often fade from memory quicker than you’d expect. When you look back at your photos, you’ll appreciate having a visual reminder of how stunning your setup looked.
Candid Couple Shots
Why It’s Important: Some of the best moments aren’t posed—they’re real. These photos showcase your chemistry and personality as a couple.
What to Capture:
Laughing during a quiet moment together.
Holding hands or sharing a sneaky kiss when you think no one’s watching.
At one wedding, the couple had an inside joke about how they first met at a taco truck. During cocktail hour, the photographer caught them sharing a taco together, and it ended up being their favorite photo from the day!
Your Guests Having Fun
Why It’s Important: Your guests are a big part of your day, and their joy adds to the celebration. Capturing their happiness gives your album a full-circle feel.
What to Capture:
Kids dancing or playing around.
Friends and family letting loose on the dance floor.
Group shots of people laughing, hugging, or enjoying a toast.
DEcor and Personal Touches
Why It’s Important: Your wedding décor is a reflection of your personality and style. These photos are a beautiful way to preserve those creative details.
What to Capture:
Table settings, centerpieces, and signage.
Unique touches like a custom guestbook or quirky favors.
Pro tip: If you’ve included sentimental items, like a family photo display or handwritten notes for your guests, make sure your photographer knows to capture them.
The Unexpected Moments
Why It’s Important: Not everything goes according to plan, and that’s a good thing! These candid moments make your wedding uniquely yours.
What to Capture:
A flower girl making a silly face.
Your dog stealing the show by running down the aisle.
A wardrobe malfunction that ends in laughter.
At one wedding, a groomsman accidentally knocked over the cake table. While it felt like a disaster in the moment, the photos of everyone laughing and pitching in to fix it were priceless.
Sunset or Nighttime Shots
Why It’s Important: There’s something undeniably romantic about photos taken during golden hour or under twinkling lights.
What to Capture:
Silhouetted shots against the sunset.
Romantic nighttime photos with sparklers, lanterns, or string lights.
Pro tip: Ask your photographer to plan for 10–15 minutes around sunset to step away for these magical shots. You won’t regret it!
The Grand Exit
Why It’s Important: Your send-off is the perfect way to wrap up the celebration. These final photos leave you with a sense of closure and joy.
What to Capture:
Guests cheering as you walk through sparklers, bubbles, or flower petals.
A getaway car decorated with “Just Married” signs or tin cans.
Bonus Tip: Communicate Your Vision
Even the most experienced photographer needs guidance. Before your big day, share this list with your photographer and discuss any additional moments you’d like to prioritize.
Conclusion
Your wedding day will go by in a blur, but the right photos can help you relive every moment for years to come. By planning ahead and prioritizing these 10 must-have shots, you’ll create an album filled with memories that make you laugh, cry, and smile every time you look at them.
Ready to plan the wedding of your dreams? Contact us to learn how we can help with décor, rentals, and more to make your big day picture-perfect!