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Mankai

Wedding photography questionnaire

Updated October 17, 2026

Collect the timeline, family groups, vendors and must-have moments you need to shoot a wedding well.

Wedding photography questionnaire

Congratulations. These questions help me understand your day so I can be in the right place at the right time. Fill in what you know now and tell me when anything changes. Nothing here is set in stone.

The couple

What are your names, and what is the best phone number and email for each of you?

Pronouns are optional. Share them if you would like me to use them.

The day

What is your wedding date?

Where will each of you get ready, and when should I arrive?

Include the address and any room or suite name.

Where and when is the ceremony?

Venue, address, start time and how long it should last.

Where and when is the reception?

Venue, address, start and end times. Tell me if it is a different place from the ceremony.

Timeline

Would you like a first look before the ceremony?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Undecided

Would you like time set aside for portraits near sunset?

Even 10 minutes can give you some of the best photos of the day.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Undecided

Are you planning a grand exit or any special reception moments?

Sparklers, a send-off, a cake cutting, a first dance, a bouquet toss, speeches.

People

How many people are in your wedding party, and who are they?

Who are the VIPs I should look out for?

Grandparents, a guest traveling a long way, someone who is ill, a favorite aunt.

Which family photo groups would you like? Please list them with names.

For example: couple with each set of parents, each side of the family, grandparents, siblings. Ten to twelve groups is a good number.

Are there any family situations I should know about?

Divorced or separated parents, step-parents, estrangement, a loss. Share only what you are comfortable sharing.

Details and vendors

Which details and heirlooms should I photograph?

Rings, dress, shoes, invitations, flowers, a grandmother's brooch, a father's watch.

Who are your vendors, and how can I reach them?

Planner, florist, DJ or band, videographer, officiant. Names and phone numbers are enough.

Who can I contact on the day if I cannot reach you?

Name, relationship to you and phone number. This should not be one of the couple.

Rules, traditions and must-haves

Is your ceremony unplugged, and does your venue or officiant have any photography rules?

Flash, standing positions, restricted areas, time limits.

Are there cultural or religious traditions I should know about?

The key moments, their order, and any rules about where I may stand.

What moments do you most want captured, and is there anything else I should know?

How to use it

  • Add your studio name to the opening paragraph. Delete any question that does not apply, such as vendors for a courthouse wedding.
  • Ask for the family photo list in writing, with names and relationships. Groups listed ahead of time save 20 minutes of herding on the day.
  • Print the answers and keep a copy in your camera bag, along with the day-of contact's phone number.
  • Call the couple about anything sensitive, such as divorced parents, rather than relying on the form alone.

Questions

When should I send a wedding questionnaire?

Send it after booking so the couple has time to think, and send a reminder about two weeks before the wedding when plans are settled. Ask them to update you if anything changes after that.

Why ask for a family photo list in writing?

Families are large, and the couple knows who matters. A written list saves time, lets you call people by name and keeps anyone from being missed.

How do I handle divorced parents or other sensitive family situations?

Ask the question openly, then talk with the couple by phone. Plan separate shots for each parent and never ask someone to stand beside a person they do not want to be near.

What if the couple does not have a timeline yet?

Offer to help. Ask for the ceremony time, the reception start and sunset, then work back to when you need to arrive.

Almost there

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