Photo List

Although, most of your wedding photographs will be candid and unposed, this Photo List focuses on the group photographs most commonly requested over the years. Please check the images you would like to have included as part of your wedding day coverage. You are also encouraged to provide any feedback, you may have.

Pre-ceremony, with the Bride: (FYI: This part of the day typically includes getting ready photos. Please indicate if this is something you want. If you want some getting ready photos, you will need to designate a good hour for this section, with the bride.. More time may be required if more photos are requested.

The bride (various views). ____
The bride w/ her maid of honor. ___
Bride w/ her mother. ____
Bride w/ her father. ____
The bride w/ her mother & father. ____
The bride w/ all her bridesmaids.____
Please list anything, not listed in the section above, that you would like to have a photograph of..

Pre-ceremony, with the Groom: (FYI: These normally begin about 35-40 minutes, before the ceremony. When determining the exact time photography is to begin with the bride (in the previous section) do not forget to consider driving time from the brides home location to the grooms location (church), if applicable.

The groom, w/ all the groomsmen.____
The groom, w/ the best man. ____
The groom (various views) ___
Groom w/parents___
Please list anything else…



Ceremony: This is primarily photojournalistic coverage. Most synagogues and some churches, however, put restrictions on photography, during the actual ceremony. Please check, with the officiate, as to what their policy is. Catholic churches have been the most lenient in this regard, while Protestant and Jewish officials allow photographs before and after the ceremony, but restrict photography during the ceremony. If this is the case with your wedding, you may want to consider simulating the wedding vows afterwards. If it should come to this, most churches are very accommodating, and it usually takes no more than five minutes for us to do

Is there anything to take place during the ceremony that might be unusual or of particular importance, that we should know about? Please describe…


Group Photos: Below are the group photos with the bride and groom together. These pictures are usually done after the ceremony. However, some couples prefer to do them before the ceremony. When and where you should have these pictures done is based on time constraints and personal preference.

I typically review indoor and outdoor locations at the ceremony and/or reception sites, to determine what areas would work best. A complimentary combination of lighting and background are the main considerations. Since the angle of the sun can change a scene dramatically throughout the day, every effort is made to review the locations at the time of day that pictures are planned. Please allocate at least 50 minutes for these photos. More time may be required if more grouping are requested. The length of time for required to do each group will vary according to the size of the grouping requested. Most groupings will take from 3-7 minutes to do.

Bride & Groom w/ both sets of parents. ____ 4-7 minutes
Bride & Groom w/ bride’s parents. ____ 3-5 minutes
Bride & Groom w/ bride’s parents and siblings. ____ 4-7 minutes
Bride & Groom w/groom’s parents. ____ 3-5 minutes
Bride & Groom w/ groom’s parents and siblings. ____ 3-7 minutes
Bride & Groom w/entire wedding party ___ 8-10 minutes
Bride w/ groomsmen ____ 5-6 minutes
Groom w/ bridesmaids _____ 5-6 minutes
Bride & Groom w/ the best man and maid of honor. ____ 3-5 minutes
Bride & Groom (3-4 variations). ____ 10- 20 minutes

You can add to the above list of groupings, as your heart desires. Take note, however, that the core formals take a minimum of fifty minutes to do. (Larger wedding parties and groups will take longer.) The more you add to this list, the more time will be required to do them all. Generally, there isn‘t much extra time, if any, when these pictures are done between the ceremony and the reception.

If you don’t think there will be enough time, another option would be to have these pictures done before the ceremony instead. In this case, you would have to be ready much earlier for pictures and yes - you would have to see each other before the ceremony. On the positive side, you would be able to enjoy the rest of the day without having to fuss about doing anymore group photos.

Another option would be to split these photos up. So that some are done before the ceremony and some are done after. For example: you may just want to do the larger groups before the ceremony and do the bride & groom, best man and maid of honor pictures after the ceremony.

Other Important Notes:

* Grandparents were not listed above. Many of my clients prefer to have casually posed pictures taken with them, during the reception. It’s up to you what you want to do.

* Don’t forget to get the word out to everyone who will be involved with the group pictures, as to when and where (to be determined) these pictures will be taken. Don’t do it all yourself. Recruit reliable family and wedding party members from both families to ensure everyone is informed.

Please list groupings, not included above, that you would like to have, as part of your formal wedding day pictures...:

The Reception: The reception is photographed almost entirely in the candid format. Below are a few possible exceptions. It’s up to you, if you want to do them, or not.


Cutting the Cake: Would you like a posed photo with the cake before you proceed to slice and dice it?
Yes ____ No ____

Ring Hands: Time permitting, I actually try to do this before the reception.
Yes ____ No ____ .

Old Friends: The reception provides some opportunity to a few casual group photographs of friends and/or family members that are rarely united at the same time. Please list any person(s) or groups that may fall into this category. (We suggest a short list, as you do not want to be posing all day. You should enjoy this part of the day.)


Last Question: Percentage wise, roughly how much black & white versus color would you like to see in your finished proofs? _______ % Color _______ % Black & White

Paul Van Helden Photography is dedicated to providing quality service to our customers.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this checklist.