10 Wedding Dress Shots You Didn't Know You Needed

Besides the standard bridal portraits, these are the must-have shots you need to take on the big day

Updated on 09/29/20

Sure, you'll have about a hundred photos of you in your wedding dress. But shopping for the dream gown involved a ride on an emotional roller coaster, so needless to say, you're emotionally invested in the piece, right? (Not to mention financially invested as well!) And since you'll only be wearing the dress once, you'll want to make sure you have all of its best angles photographed to help savor the memories and make the most of its meaning.

Look beyond the standard bridal portraits and consider including these 10 shots to help capture your wedding dress in all its beauty.

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The Hanger Shot

Wedding Dress on Hanger — Jennie & Eddie

Snap a photo of your dress on its hanger before you step into it to showcase its silhouette and structure in its raw form. It symbolizes the calm before the chaos.

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The Getting Ready Shot

Mom zipping bride into dress — Chi-Chi Ari; Event Planning by Tiffany Rivera of Simply Breathe Events; Dress by Enaura Bridal from Kleinfeld Bridal; Hair by Hair by Fran

This in-between shot captures the last few minutes of you and your dress before you both head down the aisle. Plus, you'll forever treasure the moment when your bridesmaids or mom helped make your bridal look complete.

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The Detail Shot

Close up of dress details — Laurken Kendall; Dress by Willowby by Watters; Jewelry by Forever 21; Hair & Makeup by Los Cabos Makeup

Whether it's extravagant beadwork, elegant buttons, or delicate lace, do your dress some justice and capture its finer details up close.

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The Back Shot

Most of your photographs will showcase the front of the dress—don't forget to get that 360 degree view. From the train to the bodice, the back of the dress always has surprising details in store.

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The Playful Shot

Bride twirling in glittery gold wedding lengha — Raquel Reis; Dress by Rimple & Harpeet

It's hard not to take advantage of a dress's floaty fabrics and fun shapes. Play with what it has to offer for a candid shot that will highlight an angle of your dress you wouldn't have otherwise.

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The Editorial Shot

Bride Posing in Wedding Dress — Sandy Tam Photography

There's nothing quite as glamorous as a serious editorial pose that looks like it belongs in a magazine. This will be one to frame.

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The Train Shot

Bride showing off long train on stairs — Larissa Cleveland Photography; Event Planning by Every Elegant Detail; Dress by Galia Lahav from Kinsley James

Have your photographer artfully arrange your train out behind you to emphasize its most stunning aspects. The resulting photo will sweep you off your feet.

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The Shoe Shot

Bride lifting wedding dress to show off shoes — Tamara Gruner; Event Planning by Isabelle Kline Design; Dress by Tadashi Shoji; Shoes by Le Silla; Hair by Melanie Ortiz of Priv

The dress may steal the show, but it's nothing without the shoes. Show off how good they look with your dress by lifting up the skirt for a sweet and flirty shot.

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The Sitting Shot

Bride Sitting on Staircase in Wedding Dress — Fauset Photography

Forget standing up—sitting down with the skirt spread out around you magically transforms your dress to resemble a soft cloud of snow for a fairytale princess look.

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