This is the shot of the father seeing his daughter dressed up as a bride for the first time. After the bride is ready to come to the guests, go ahead and have the dad in the position ready to see his daughter. You really need good planning here. Too often there is not enough space for all the participants of the moment. Find the spot for the dad; politely explain where you want him to stay. If bride’s room is upstairs, place the dad downstairs, leave some room for the bride after she has come down.

This is going to be a spectacular shot of the bride slowly walking down the stairs. Keep it wide. Follow her almost all the way down, then pan to the dad, get his reaction. It may be tears, excitement, short statement, or a hug and a kiss. Whatever it is, that’s the shot.

Ask the bride to call you in when she is almost ready. All you need is the last touches. Bride in her beautiful dress, mom and bridesmaids trying to help her out. Get a shot of the mom putting earrings or a necklace, bridesmaids tightening the laces or zipping up the dress.

Depending on what the bride is feeling like, you may suggest videotaping her putting on the garter or the wedding shoes.

Keep it family rated.

If you get in place before the bride started putting her dress on, you will have a chance to get a shot of just a dress without a bride. It may be just a dress hung on the closet door. May be mom or an older sister or one of the bridesmaids fussing around. Get some action, then excuse yourself and do the shot of The Dress.

Make sure white balance is right. Take a wide shot to show entire dress. Come closer; take a slow pan from the tail all the way up to the top. Do some close ups of the details. Bride will put on this dress just once in her life, so make sure to document it meticulously.