This much is true: your wedding will fly by as you revel in the amazing atmosphere. What’s also true is that your photos will help you relive your dream day forever, which is why it’s so important to get the shots you want.

“Once the wedding gets underway, couples just want to start having a good time,” warns planner Mary Lee Herrington (foreverandeverevents.com). Combine that with the trend for documentary-style photography, and you risk forgetting some portrait combos or detail photos you’ll later wish you had. But a little planning is all you need. Chat through your day with your photographer – from hairstylist’s chair to carriages at midnight – and flag up the people and touches not to miss. We’ve put together this list of all the best photo-opp possibilities to get you thinking about which you want and which you’d skip. Now, smile for that close-up!

At home
Your dress on the hanger 
You getting ready
You in your dress
Your shoes
You and your mum
You and your dad
You with both parents
You with your whole family
You with your chief bridesmaid
You with your maids/flowergirls
You touching up your make-up
Your hair and accessories
You and your dad getting into car
Your bouquet
Your jewellery

The ceremony
Exterior, interior, pedestals and pew ends
Guests arriving and ushers
You and your dad arriving
Musicians/choir/organist
Groom and best man
You and your dad walking down the aisle
The moment your groom sees you
Exchanging vows
Wide-angle view of ceremony
Shot from the back of ceremony
Exchanging rings
You, your groom and bridesmaids walking up the aisle
You and your groom in the car

Before the reception
You and your groom
You and your bridesmaids
Groom and best man
Groom, best man and ushers
Bridal party (you, your groom, bridesmaids, best man ushers)
You, your groom and your parents
You, your groom and your family
You, your groom and his parents
You, your groom and his family
You, your groom and both sets of parents
Everyone (venue permitting)

At the reception
The exterior and interior before your guests arrive
You and your groom arriving
The receiving line
The room from a distance
Table centres and all stationery
The top table
The cake
Cutting the cake
Guests at their tables
The toasts and speeches
The musicians
You and your groom’s first dance
You and your dad dancing
You throwing the bouquet
The wedding car as it leaves

Words by Julia Scirrotto