Pre Wedding Shoot Checklist: What to Do and Carry, Week by Week

A good pre-wedding shoot is decided long before the camera comes out. The couples who look relaxed in their albums are almost always the ones who sorted the small things in advance: the date, the outfits, the timing, the snacks. This pre wedding shoot checklist pulls those details together in the order you should handle them, so nothing gets forgotten on the day.

Use it as a working list. Tick things off over the two to three weeks before your session, and share it with your photographer so everyone is working from the same plan.

Three to four weeks before

• Confirm your photographer and date. Pick a day when neither of you has a work deadline, and choose a backup date. If you are still comparing options, read our page on the pre-wedding photographer in Indore.
• Decide the style. Candid, cinematic, traditional or a mix. Show your photographer two or three references you like, and a couple you do not.
• Shortlist locations. Choose one main place and, at most, one second place. Our guide to the best pre-wedding shoot locations in Indore and the note on planning a location as a photo story will help.
• Check permissions. Forts, heritage buildings and some gardens need permission or charge an entry fee. Ask your photographer who handles that.
• Confirm the budget. Understand what is included, such as edited photos, a video teaser and travel. Our guide to pre-wedding shoot cost in Indore shows what changes the price.

Two weeks before

• Plan outfits. Two looks are usually enough. Choose fabrics that move well and colours that suit the setting. Read how many looks you need before you pack.
• Book hair and makeup. Do a trial if you can, and ask for a look that holds up in heat and wind.
• Fix the timing. Plan around the light, ideally the first or last hours of the day. See our guide to the best time for a pre-wedding shoot.
• Arrange travel and permissions. Plan the route, parking and who is carrying what. Keep the group small, because a crowd makes both of you self-conscious.
• Talk through ideas. Decide on a few activities that feel like you, as described in our romantic pre-wedding shoot ideas.

Three days before

• Check the weather and decide whether to keep the date, and message your photographer early if the forecast looks bad.
• Steam or iron outfits, and check zips, buttons and hems.
• Avoid new skincare products, facials or haircuts that you have not tried before.
• Break in your shoes. Blisters ruin walking shots.
• Confirm the meeting time and place with your photographer, makeup artist and driver.

The day before

• Pack your bag (see below) and charge your phones.
• Drink plenty of water and sleep well.
• Keep dinner light, and avoid heavy spicy food that may leave you uncomfortable.
• Set two alarms if you have an early call time.

What to carry on the day

• Both outfits, with matching footwear and accessories
• A comfortable pair of slippers for between shots
• Water, a light snack and some glucose or a sweet
• Safety pins, a small sewing kit, a comb and tissues
• Lip balm, powder or blotting paper, and a small mirror
• A light jacket or shawl for cool mornings and evenings
• Sunscreen and sunglasses for waiting between shots
• Any small props you agreed on, such as a hat, a book or a rolled-up blanket
• Rings or any jewellery you want in the frame, and a charger or power bank

On the shoot day

• Arrive a little early and use the first few minutes to walk around together.
• Start with easy walking frames and wide shots, and keep close portraits for when you have warmed up.
• Take a short break between outfits and drink water.
• Tell your photographer what you like or do not like as you go, because good photographers want feedback.
• Avoid checking the camera screen after every frame. Our guide on how to look natural in pre-wedding photos explains why.

After the shoot

• Ask when the selection and edited photos will be ready, and in what format.
• Pick favourites for the invitation, the wedding screen and the album before the wedding rush starts.
• Return rented outfits and props and thank everyone who helped.
• Keep a copy of the photos in at least two places. Our wedding photo backup guide explains a simple setup.

A note on communication with your photographer

A checklist only works if both sides read it the same way. Send your photographer the outfit colours, the location, the call time and any ideas you are excited about a few days ahead. Ask what they plan to bring, whether they need a second shooter or an assistant, and how they handle a change of weather. Clear answers to these questions remove most of the stress on the day itself.

It is also worth discussing how you want to feel in the photos. Some couples want playful and loud, others prefer quiet and cinematic. Saying this out loud helps the photographer choose the pace, the lenses and the directions they give you. If one of you is shy in front of the camera, mention it early and the session will be planned around that.

Finally, agree on delivery expectations in writing: the number of edited photos, the turnaround time and how they will be shared. That way you can plan your invitation or screen display with confidence, and there are no surprises close to the wedding.

Common slips this checklist prevents

Most problems come from the same few places: too many outfits, no backup date, no food or water, a rushed schedule, and unclear expectations about delivery. You can read more in our list of pre-wedding shoot mistakes Indore couples can avoid.

If you want help building a plan for your own date and location, see our pricing page and send us a message. For another checklist to compare, this pre-wedding shoot checklist is also a useful read.