How to Write a Wedding Videographer Shot List
The "shot list" question comes up with nearly every couple we work with. Some arrive with a detailed spreadsheet. Others ask us to handle everything. The truth is somewhere in the middle — and what you include (and exclude) from your shot list has a real impact on what your film looks and feels like.
Should You Give Your Videographer a Shot List?
Yes — but it should be a list of moments and priorities, not camera angles and frame compositions.
Your videographer is a professional. They know which angles to use, how to expose for the venue light, and how to move through a ceremony. Telling them to shoot your vows "from the left side with the window in the background" is micromanaging craft decisions they're better positioned to make than you are.
What you should communicate is priority. Which moments matter most? Who are the key people? What's happening in your ceremony that's not in a standard script? That information is invaluable. Frame compositions and camera positions are not.
What to Include in Your Shot List
Key people. List anyone who matters and might not be obvious. Stepparents. Estranged relatives. A grandmother who came in from another country. If there's someone specific you want footage of reacting, dancing, or speaking, say so.
Non-standard ceremony moments. If your ceremony includes something unusual — a unity candle, a wine ceremony, a cultural ritual — note it explicitly and describe when it happens in the order of service.
Timeline-sensitive moments. If your reception has a moment that's important but easy to miss — a surprise performance, a video tribute, a toast from an unexpected speaker — flag it in advance.
Getting-ready preferences. Some couples want coverage of the groom's getting-ready process. Some don't. Some brides want footage of their dress and shoes; others don't care. State your preferences clearly so your team prioritizes correctly.
Family formal video. Unlike photography, formal family portraits are rarely standard in video packages. If you want footage of the immediate family together, note it. It takes dedicated time.
What to Leave Off Your Shot List
Generic romantic moments. "Couple looking into each other's eyes on the dance floor." Your team will get this. You don't need to write it down.
Camera-specific instructions. Leave cinematography decisions to your cinematographer.
A list of every single guest. You're not going to get usable footage of every person at your wedding. Focus on the people who matter most.
How to Communicate the Shot List
Email it to your videographer at least 2 weeks before the wedding. Include:
- The timeline (ceremony start, cocktail hour, reception)
- Key moment list with approximate times
- Family and VIP list with brief descriptions ("mother of the bride — blue dress, very emotional")
- Anything unusual about your ceremony or venue
A good videographer will review this, ask clarifying questions, and come to your wedding day prepared.
What We Ask Couples at LifeStory.Film
Before every wedding, we schedule a planning call where we walk through the timeline, identify the key moments, and ask specific questions about what matters most to you. We don't rely on a shot list alone — we use it as a starting point for a real conversation.
For more on how to set up your wedding day for great film, see our post on how to choose a wedding videographer in Los Angeles.
