The Couples’ Shot Checklist (That Won’t Make You Lose Your Minds)
There’s no shortage of “must-have wedding photo lists” floating around online. You’ve probably seen them - 100+ shots you’re “supposed” to get, from your shoes on the window sill to the exact angle of your first kiss. But let’s be honest… the last thing you need on your wedding day is to be glued to your phone, cross-checking a shot list like it’s a grocery run.
So before we go any further - let’s get one thing straight: you do not need a detailed shot list memorised or saved on your phone.
Seriously. Don’t do it. That way lies madness (and unnecessary stress).
Instead, share your inspiration with your photographer and videographer before the day. Send through a Pinterest board, a few photos you love, or even just describe the vibe you’re going for - and then trust your creative team to take it from there. That’s literally what we’re here for.
Movement is Key
When it comes to couple shots, movement is everything. It’s what separates a photo that looks like a wedding catalogue from one that looks like you two actually got married.
Don’t worry about “posing” or wondering, Am I doing this right? Instead, think being, not doing. Walk together, sway together, whisper something ridiculous in each other’s ears. Kiss and hold it for a while. Stare into each other’s eyes, let your noses touch, laugh, breathe, just exist together.
These slower, intimate moments give your photographer and videographer space to capture the kind of shots that make your story feel real and emotional - not staged.
The Key Shots (Without the Stress)
Now, even though we’re not fans of rigid checklists, there are a few classic moments that you’ll definitely want captured - not because they’re cookie-cutter, but because they tell the story of your day.
Here are some must-have couple shots worth considering (and we promise you won’t need a clipboard to remember them):
The First Look – Whether it’s a private moment before the ceremony or that iconic walk down the aisle, it’s pure gold every time.
The Just-Married Kiss – Self-explanatory. Bonus points if you hold it a little longer than you think.
The Post-Ceremony "We Did It!" Moment – That first walk back down the aisle, or a spontaneous cheer after signing the papers.
Golden Hour Magic – When the light hits just right and you forget anyone else exists.
The Candid Laugh – The one where something goes slightly off-script and you both lose it. That’s the good stuff.
The Epic Location Shot – Whether it’s a wide sweeping field, a moody rain-soaked scene, or a dance floor confetti explosion - it’s your cinematic moment.
The Intimate Close-Up – Hands intertwined, foreheads together, soft smiles. These tiny details tell the story in a way words can’t.
The key here isn’t replicating what you’ve seen online. It’s interpreting it in your own way - bringing your personalities and quirks into the frame.
Be Yourselves - That’s the Real Magic
Every couple has their own rhythm, their own inside jokes, their own way of showing love. Maybe you’re the giggly, can’t-stop-touching-each-other type. Maybe you’re quieter, more reserved, and communicate through little glances. Whatever your vibe is - lean into it.
The best wedding photos and films aren’t made from perfectly posed moments; they’re made from authentic ones. If there’s something you two naturally do - like the way you always fix each other’s hair, or the little dance you do before a kiss - do it. Those are the moments that make your story uniquely yours.
In Summary
If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s this:
Don’t get bogged down in the checklist. Get lost in the moment.
Trust your team, move naturally, and just be yourselves. Because when you do, you won’t have to try to create magic - it’ll happen all on its own (and we’ll be there to capture it).
👉 Ready to discuss your wedding day with us? View our portfolio or get in touch with us today.