77 Wedding Photos You're Going to Want to Capture

Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your wedding, because they’ll capture all the moments that will become memories once the big day is over, so we’ve rounded up 77 wedding photo ideas to inspire you.

Whether you’re still trying to find a photographer, or you’ve got one sorted, this list of wedding photo ideas will help you decide what you like, as well as what you do (and don’t!) want your photographer to focus on.

Ahead of your wedding, take through different wedding photography ideas with your photographer, and look at plenty of samples of their work so you can ask them to replicate certain shots you love. 

77 Wedding Photos to Inspire You

Make sure you take the time to get the following wedding pictures on your big day! These photos for a wedding will give you an idea of the moments you're going to want in your wedding album. 

The Accessories

Your wedding accessories are made up of so many little details that might get missed when it comes to the full look, so ask your wedding photographer to take some photos of your accessories nicely laid out.

This photo from Ivy & Pine wedding photography shows the bride’s jewellery beautifully laid out on her veil - it’s a great way to capture that veil detail, and show off all the jewellery you might otherwise not notice.

Getting Ready

Getting ready is such a significant part of the wedding day, but it can sometimes be overlooked in wedding photo ideas as the focus is typically on the ceremony and beyond.

Factor in time for getting ready photos in your wedding morning, as they make for such beautiful pictures. This wedding photo by Thistle + Stone Photography allows you to see the bride’s flawless makeup up close, and nicely shows off her engagement ring too. 

This photo of a bride getting ready as the mother of the bride looks on by David Tinkler is really special, and makes for a photo they’ll both cherish forever. 

Your getting ready photos are a great way to show off your wedding day look before the chaos of the day takes over! Just look at how this photo by Thistle + Stone shows off the bride’s dress - thanks to the mother of the bride and the bridesmaid’s expert arranging. 

Getting ready isn’t just about the girls - there are great opportunities for lovely wedding photos of the groom and groomsmen getting ready too. This image - also by Thistle + Stone - captures a lovely moment between the groom and his father.

The Wedding Dress

You’re going to have plenty of pictures of your wedding outfit on the day, but it’s a lovely wedding photo idea to have a shot of your dress hanging up too - especially if you’re getting ready in a beautiful wedding suite. Be inspired by this image by Kiss the Bride Photography.

Bride Portraits

Not to be confused with the prep photos, the bride portraits are photos of the bride alone once she is ready for her wedding. The above picture by Ekaterina Romanov exudes glamour. 

These can be taken pre-ceremony if you have time, but also after your ceremony when you go off for your couple photos. This one by Jessy Pappasavva is just so timeless.  

Chat to your photographer to determine the best time and setting for yours, if you want these photos taken!

Groom & Groomsmen Portraits

Make sure you allow time for groom portraits too. Whether you want more natural photography, or a fun set up like this one by Kiss the Bride Photography!

This groomsmen portrait by Unveil Weddings UK is a great way to capture all of the guys together - those suits are so chic.

Candid photos should definitely be part of your wedding photo checklist - how special is this photo of the groom and his wedding party laughing together by Wrapp Weddings?  

Wedding Stationery

Order extra wedding invitations and take them with you to your wedding so your photographer can set up some beautiful shots of the details, like this one by Wild Daisy Photography.

This shot by Gemma Sandell has the wedding rings in the photo too - the personalised ring dish is such a nice touch.  

The Wedding Rings

Speaking of rings, make sure you include your wedding rings in your photo list! If you are following tradition and assigning the best man the job of looking after the rings, you can ask your second shooter (if you’re having one) to get this photo - like the one by Ivy and Pine Photography above. 

If you don’t have an additional photographer, don’t panic - there are plenty of other wedding ring photography ideas, like placing the rings in your bouquet, as photographer Debbie McGregor has done.

Thistle & Stone Photography has also done this - it’s a lovely way to get that engagement ring in some photos too!

Your photographer should also get some shots of the rings being put on - this is a really special moment so you want it captured for all time - just look at this beautiful photo by Eleanora Ferolla.  

It’s also lovely to have a photo of the rings on your hands together after the ceremony - be inspired by this beautiful picture by Carla Thomas.  

The Decorative Details

When talking to your wedding photographer about the wedding photos you want, make sure you ask them to capture the details - it’s so nice to have a picture of the wedding décor all set up before your guests come in, like this photo by Thistle + Stone photography. 

Taking photos of the tables might sound a little odd - let’s face it, you’re unlikely to frame them on the mantelpiece - but you’ll want to remember how the room looked. Just look at how special this photo by Daniel Edwards Photography is.

The Flowers

It’s important to get photos of your wedding flowers - it’s a great way to preserve the memory of your bouquet and other arrangements. We love how the wedding dress details are visible in the background of this close up by Just James Weddings. 

If you’re including sentimental details on your wedding bouquet - such as a charm to remember a lost loved one - make sure you let your wedding photographer know so they can capture a memento of such a special tribute. Be inspired by this photo by Carlos Azevedo Photography.

This gorgeous close up of a bouquet by Jon Clements Photography is also a great way to ensure you always remember the details of your wedding bouquet. 

The Bridesmaids

If you’re having bridesmaids as your wedding, you’re going to want to get a variety of photos of them, including getting ready in your matching wedding robes and pyjamas, like this shot by Ivy & Pine with the bubbly ready to go!

Your photographer will also set up some photos of you in all your finery - be inspired by this group captured by Beatrice Photography of everyone snapped mid-laugh!

Your bridesmaids are (presumably!) made up of your best friends in the world, so the more pics you can get of you all together, looking your finest, the better. Just look how beautiful this photo by Thistle + Stone is.  

The Wedding Cake

You’re going to want a few different photos of your wedding cake on your wedding photos list! How amazing is this shot of a tiered wedding cake with ‘Til Death Do Us Party’ lit up in the background, by Kiss the Bride Photography? 

Got an intricate wedding cake? Your photographer will most likely get some up close shots - like this one by Debbie McGregor Photography. 

Your wedding cake table can be a main attraction in itself too - if you dress it up as a wedding sweet table, it’ll make for some gorgeous pictures. See this one by Susana Rios for inspiration!  

Be sure to plan a time for cutting the cake into your wedding day timeline so you can ensure you get some gorgeous photos, like this one by Carla Thomas.  

Your Wedding Transport

Make sure you make time for photos with your wedding car, if you’re having one! Especially if you’re decorating the wedding car - you need to show it off. This photo by Precious Moments Photography is a beautiful example. 

You can also get some lovely photos from inside the car - be inspired by this shot by Carla Thomas Photography.

The Veil

You’re going to want some wedding photos that show off your veil! This image from LVRS is a cool and subtle way to show off your veil.

Stealing a kiss under your veil is also a cute way to show it off, and makes for a pretty unique wedding photo idea - we love this example from Laura Helen Photography.

The First Look

Not every couple does a first look, but it’s one of our favourite wedding trends. How can you not love it when it results in photos like this one by Carla Thomas Photography?!

You can just feel the anticipation in this gorgeous first look photo by Gemma Sandell. It’s a moment you’ll want captured on film forever.

Even if you don’t want to do a first look photo with your partner, doing one with your parents is really special - how emotional does this first look photo with the father of the bride by Jonathan Bickle make you feel?

And here’s a thrilled mother of the bride, captured by Linus Moran Photography - these are the wedding moments you’ll want to relive time and time again through your photos!

The Ceremony

When it comes to your wedding ceremony, there are a few wedding photo ideas you’re going to want on your list. Firstly, you need a photo of the empty ceremony room all decorated, before anyone goes in, like this photo by Daniel Edwards Photography. 

Let your photographer know if you have any special surprises, details or traditions you’re including in your wedding ceremony, so they can make a plan to be in place to photograph it - how special is this moment, captured forever by Linus Moran Photography?

There’s no need to tell your wedding photographer to snap photos of you during your ceremony, obviously, but it’s a good idea to share the style of wedding photos you like, so they know how to set up and edit the shots. This photo by William Lane captures a beautiful moment with the newlyweds, and we love that all the guests’ happy faces are visible too. 

You should also sneak back into your ceremony room after all your guests have gone out for the drinks, so you can get a photo in the beautiful set up - be inspired by this shot by Charlotte Wotton Photography.

If you’re doing any readings or writing your own wedding vows, again, let your photographer know so they’re poised and ready to get those perfect shots - how romantic is this photo (also by Charlotte Wotton Photography) of a couple reading their personalised wedding vows to each other? 

Your Ceremony Exit

Not to be confused with your confetti photos - your ceremony exit photos are taken as you leave your ceremony room after being pronounced married! This is a great chance to capture a fun, triumphant shot like this one by Gemma Sandell.

If you’re not punching the air types, don’t worry - you’re still super likely to get a lovely photo with beaming smiles - just look at this one by Stuart Hornby!

Make sure you take in the moment as you leave your ceremony - go slow and absorb it all, as this couple are doing in this beautiful image taken by Unveil Weddings UK. 

You can set up this shot too - we love the exit captured at this elopement by Waterhouse Weddings. What it lacks in guests, it makes up for in joyfulness. 

Confetti Shots

Your confetti moment makes for the most amazing wedding photos - make sure your guests know to throw upwards so it can flutter down and create a beautiful shot, like this one taken by Unveil Weddings UK. 

Go for a colourful mix of confetti for a really stand out wedding confetti photo - this one by Gemma Sandell is beautiful.

Monochromatic confetti can also really stand out - go for a colour that you know will pop against your wedding outfits. Just look at the white confetti against that black tux in this photo by Borgusha Bargiel.

The Little Details

If you’re having any kind of special details or unique touches at your wedding, let your photographer know ahead of time so they can make a note to photograph them. Just look at this photo of a bride holding a relative’s wedding photo by Susana Rios.

Planning on cool jackets? We love a wedding jacket - make sure you make time to get some photos with them, like this couple in their matching jackets, snapped by Gemma Sandell.

A good wedding photographer will know the details that make for exceptional wedding photos - this image by Only Love is so simple, but also spellbinding.  

Mehendi Moments

If you’re incorporating wedding mehendi into your celebrations, make sure your wedding photographer is aware so they can add that to their wedding photo list. This image by Graham Hunt Photography shows off the bride’s intricate henna artwork, and her beautiful engagement ring!

Pictures with Your Parents

You won’t have enough photos with your parents or close family members on your wedding day - these are the images you’ll really cherish in years to come, so ask your photographer to keep an eye out for special moments. This emotional embrace captured by Jonathan Bickle Photography is definitely one for a frame.

Thistle + Stone also has a beautiful parent photo to inspire you - just look at this wonderful father-daughter wedding dance. 

First Kiss

Obviously your photographer is going to capture your first kiss as newlyweds, but you can share ideas of how you want the photo to look. It’s also worth asking your officiant to be prepared to step to the side so they’re not in the photo. We love this image by Lovell Photography that is taken from the back, so you can see the guests looking on!

You can also get some really cute kissing photos after your wedding ceremony - don’t be afraid to be a little dramatic. Let this vibrant photo by Debbie McGregor inspire you. 

If bright colours aren’t your vibe, dramatic black and white makes for a beautiful moment. Let this image by Just James Weddings convince you! 

Candid Moments

If you’ve chosen a photographer with a reportage wedding photography style, you’re guaranteed plenty of candid moments. These make for some of the best wedding photos, in our opinion - just look at this joyful moment by the wedding champagne tower caught by Kiss the Bride Photography!

The Wedding Reception

It’s lovely to have photos with all your guests at the wedding reception, but you should also take a moment to go to your reception room just the two of you, and have a photo amidst the immaculate set up - we love this image by Charlotte Wotton Photography.  

A good wedding photographer will know how to make the space work - just look at the set up in this photo by Eleanora Ferolla. The couple are set up perfectly in their incredible reception space.

Couple Portraits

You can have so much fun with your couple photos at your wedding - it’s a chance to really work with your photographer to create images that truly capture your personalities and relationship - look at this one by Gemma Sandell! It’s perfection.

You can go fun and playful with your photos, or you can go romantic - this image from Thistle + Stone Photography just exudes romance. 

Black and white wedding photography adds a timeless, classic feel to your wedding photos, especially your couple portraits. How beautiful is this photograph by Daniel Edwards Photography?  

Your Wedding Party

Use your time wisely during your drinks reception and give your ushers the job of rounding up your wedding party for group shots - we love this super fun photo captured by Borgusha Bargiel.

This works even if you have a small wedding party - we love this chic set up by Charlotte Wotton Photography with the bridesmaids and the groomsmen.  

Your Wedding Shoes

We’re obsessed with cool wedding shoes at Hitched, and if yours are special to you, make sure your photographer knows you want pictures of them. We love this snap by LVRS Photography - it’s so cool! 

The Dance Floor

Lots of wedding photography packages end after the first dance, so a key question for your wedding photographer is if they can stay late, if you want party photos! Let them know if your first dance is choreographed or anything like that, so they’re prepared - look at this awesome photo by Jonathan Bickle!

We also love the set up and the editing of this shot, by Lovell Photography - it’s so dramatic. 

We are obsessed with this shot by Gemma Sandell showing the newlyweds and their guests having the time of their lives on the dance floor - it’s worth asking your photographer what they charge to stay late for this kind of content alone!

Blurry, motion shots really allow you to get a feel of the wedding party - how cool is this one by Carla Thomas Photography? (We also really want that bride’s wedding two piece!)

The Speeches

Your wedding speeches are going to be a part of your wedding you’ll want to remember forever - we love this funny moment captured by Borgushua Bargiel from a father of the bride speech.

As well as photos of your speech givers, you’re going to want to get photos of yours and your guests’ reactions too. This photo by Danielle Smith is seriously emotional.

Sparklers

Are you having sparklers at your wedding? Talk to your photographer about the best way to capture this - we love this photo by Charlotte Wotton, that shows the couple running through two lines of guests, all brandishing sparklers.

If you’re having a winter wedding or your photographer is staying late, you can do a super atmospheric photo of sparklers in the dark, like this one captured by David Tinkler Photography.

You can also frame a kiss photo with sparklers - how special is this one by Unveil Weddings UK?

Wedding Photo FAQs

Curious about your wedding photos? We took some of the most searched questions around wedding photography and put them to the experts...

How Much Are Wedding Photos?

“Just like anything in your wedding budget, the amount you allocate to your wedding photos should reflect the importance of your photography to you,” says Sarah of Thistle & Stone Photography.

“Your photography budget will depend on a number of things, including the location and the amount of coverage required. In general, I would say a high-quality professional photographer will fall somewhere between £1,800-£3,000, depending on how long you need them for and if you would like extras such as albums, prints, or pre- or post-wedding sessions,” says Sarah.

“A common misconception is that a wedding with fewer people or a midweek wedding will mean less expensive photography but since intimate weddings and 'wonky dates' are becoming increasingly normal practice, it’s best to expect the price to not fluctuate based on those things,” she adds.

How Much Do Wedding Photos Cost?

“You’ll find a whole range of photographers with a whole range of photography styles and prices, but as a general rule for a full day’s coverage, I would say expect to pay at least £1,300,” suggests Claire of Kiss The Bride Photography.

“Always check what the price includes: how many hours of coverage, how many images you’ll receive, whether or not it includes an online gallery or digital downloads, whether or not you’ll get to preview your photos, how long it will take for your final gallery to be delivered and whether or not it includes any pre-wedding meetings or phone calls. Do your research and make sure you’re going to receive everything you’re looking for.”

How Long Do Wedding Photos Take?

How long your photographer spends with you is, again, very much dependent on how much of the day you want recorded, but a full day coverage is usually around 8-10 hours.

“I strongly recommend my couples start the 'getting ready' coverage two hours before the wedding attire goes on. This allows for things like detail shots and establishing shots of the venue, as well as the ability to capture a wider array of preparations as they occur naturally and a more relaxed atmosphere for those quiet, in-between moments,” says Sarah.

When it comes to the group shots, it pays to be organised, says Claire: “Get a list of the group shots you want and send it to your photographer before your wedding day. Ask a guest who knows everyone on the list to get each group together and over to the photo area, lined up and ready. As a rule, 10 different group shots is a good number and I would set aside at least 30 minutes for that, making sure you have help on hand to get everyone in place.”

“Evening event coverage is more dependent on the couple’s timeline,” adds Sarah. “As a rule of thumb, I think the sweet spot is one hour after the first dance to end the photography coverage. When you end at the first dance, you can miss the vibrant, wild, and dynamic moments of the guests dancing.”

How To Pose For Wedding Photos?

The most important thing is to feel comfortable with whoever is taking your photos – and the rest should come naturally.

“It’s really important that you vibe with your photographer – I talk to my clients the entire way through their session, my camera is just a silent extension of my face,” says Sarah. “When it comes to posing, I’d suggest taking more photos of yourself before the wedding day – take note of any insecurities and be sure to communicate those to your photographer so we can pay special attention to the things that make you feel beautiful instead.”

“Rest assured that everyone feels awkward in front of the camera for those first five minutes,” adds Claire. “The one question I get from couples a lot is, ‘what do I do with my hands?’. I always suggest holding each other – hold hands, touch a shoulder, a cheek, an arm… use your hands to make contact with your other half and then they won’t feel so lost. Also look at each other, it’ll make you smile naturally, and it may even make you laugh.

“If you want to include some editorial shots, then let your photographer know so you get the look that you’re after. Instagram is full of inspiration – start with your photographer’s pages and see how their couples are posed. Pinterest is also a good place to look for specific posing styles. Have a chat with your photographer, too, to see if they have any suggestions for you,” she adds.

So there you have it – just a few wedding photos and tips to inspire you as you plan for the photos you want from your wedding. Remember to discuss what you like, and perhaps more importantly, what you don’t like, with your wedding photographer ahead of your wedding! Here are the key things to ask your wedding photographer before your big day.