Your wedding photos are the tangible memories that remain long after the flowers wilt and the cake is eaten. A comprehensive shot list ensures your photographer captures every meaningful moment, from the nervous excitement of preparation to the last dance of the evening. For Filipino weddings, with their unique traditions and extended family dynamics, having a detailed shot list is even more essential.
This guide provides a complete checklist organized by wedding phase, with special attention to Filipino traditions like the cord and veil ceremony, coin ritual, and the lively reception traditions that make our celebrations distinctive. Share this with your photographer during your planning meeting to ensure nothing is missed on your big day.
Preparation and Getting Ready Shots
The preparation phase captures the anticipation and emotion before the ceremony begins. These intimate moments—often overlooked—become some of the most treasured images in your wedding album.
Bridal Preparation Essentials
Capture the bride's journey from ordinary day to wedding day: dress hanging by the window with natural light, detail shots of shoes, jewelry, and accessories laid out. Document the makeup application process, especially the final touches like lipstick and mascara. Hair styling moments, particularly the placement of the veil or hair accessories, create beautiful images.
The dress reveal—when the bride first sees herself fully ready—produces genuine emotional reactions. Include shots of the bride with her mother or sisters helping with final touches, zipping the dress, or adjusting the veil. These generational moments carry deep emotional significance in Filipino families.
Groom Preparation Moments
The groom's preparation deserves equal attention: suit and accessories laid out, cufflinks being fastened, tie being adjusted (often by the father or best man). Capture candid moments with groomsmen—the nervous jokes, the first drink together, the encouraging words. The groom's reaction when fully dressed, perhaps looking in a mirror, shows the weight of the moment.
Church Ceremony Must-Have Shots
Filipino Catholic weddings include traditional elements plus unique customs that require specific photographic attention. Communicate these to your photographer beforehand so they're positioned correctly for each ritual.
Processional and Entrance
Document the groom's arrival and waiting at the altar, capturing his expression as guests arrive. The processional should include each member: grandparents, parents, principal sponsors, secondary sponsors, flower girls, ring bearer, and bridesmaids. The bride's entrance—her father's emotional expression, the groom's first reaction, guests turning to look—ranks among the most important shots of the day.
Filipino Wedding Rituals
The cord ceremony (yugal) requires shots of the sponsors placing the cord over the couple, symbolizing their union. The veil ceremony needs similar coverage—the veil being draped over the bride's head and the groom's shoulders, representing clothed as one. The arrhae (coin) ceremony should show the priest blessing the coins, the groom pouring them into the bride's hands, and the couple's expressions during this prosperity blessing.
Don't forget the unity candle lighting, the exchange of rings with clear detail shots of both rings, the first kiss, and the signing of the marriage contract. Reaction shots of parents and ninongs/ninangs during these moments add emotional depth to your album.
Family and Group Portrait Combinations
Filipino weddings often include extensive family portraits due to our close-knit family culture. Planning these combinations in advance saves significant time and ensures no important grouping is missed.
Immediate Family Groupings
Essential combinations include: couple with bride's parents, couple with groom's parents, couple with both sets of parents, couple with bride's siblings, couple with groom's siblings, couple with all siblings, and multi-generational shots with grandparents. Each immediate family deserves individual attention before moving to extended groups.
Extended Family and Sponsors
Filipino weddings feature principal sponsors (ninong and ninang) who deserve prominent placement in formal portraits. Arrange shots of couple with all principal sponsors, then individual photos with each sponsor couple if time permits. Secondary sponsors—those who participated in cord, veil, and candle ceremonies—should have group photos as well.
Extended family portraits might include aunts and uncles, cousins, and family groups by surname. Create a priority list beforehand, understanding that time constraints may require trimming the list. Assign a family member coordinator to gather each group while the previous shot is being taken.
Reception Highlights and Traditions
Filipino receptions are celebrations of abundance, featuring multiple program elements, traditional games, and hours of dancing. Your photographer should capture both the planned moments and the spontaneous joy.
Grand Entrance and First Events
The couple's grand entrance sets the reception's energy—capture the doors opening, the crowd's reaction, and the couple's triumphant expressions. Document the first dance in multiple styles: wide shots showing the venue, medium shots of the couple together, and close-ups of their expressions and hand placement. Parent dances with both the bride's father and groom's mother deserve similar comprehensive coverage.
Filipino Reception Games and Traditions
Traditional Filipino reception games provide excellent candid opportunities: the money dance (guests pinning money on the couple), the garter and bouquet toss, and games like the 'longest married couple' dance. The cake cutting requires detail shots of the cake itself, the couple cutting together, and their playful feeding of each other.
Document the speeches and toasts—both the speakers and the couple's reactions. If there's a same-day edit video reveal, capture the room's attention and the couple's emotional response. Table visits and candid moments with guests throughout the evening round out comprehensive reception coverage.
Essential Detail and Decor Shots
Details tell the story of your wedding's aesthetic vision and the elements you carefully selected. Schedule time specifically for detail shots, ideally before guests arrive and disturb the pristine setups.
Venue and Decor Documentation
Capture wide shots of the ceremony venue empty, showing the full setup including flowers, aisle decorations, and altar arrangements. Reception venue shots should include the complete room setup, individual table settings with centerpieces, the head table, and any special design elements like photo walls or dessert displays.
Document the invitation suite flat-lay style with rings and other small details. Capture the bouquet, boutonnieres, and floral arrangements individually. The wedding cake deserves multiple angles, including detail shots of any intricate decorations. Don't forget signage, menu cards, and any personalized elements that reflect your theme.
A comprehensive shot list transforms wedding photography from chance to certainty. By communicating your priorities clearly and understanding the flow of Filipino wedding traditions, you ensure your photographer captures every meaningful moment without scrambling or missing opportunities.
Review this list with your photographer during your planning meeting, customize it based on your specific traditions and preferences, and assign a family coordinator to help manage group portraits. Consider creating a timeline that allocates specific minutes for each photo grouping.
Remember that beyond the must-have shots, the best wedding photographers also capture the in-between moments: your grandmother wiping a tear, your father's proud expression, your college friends laughing together. Trust your photographer's artistic eye while ensuring the essentials are covered.