The ceremony has just ended and everyone is ready for cocktail hour. I know family photos can feel like a boring part of the day, but these photos will be some of the most shared moments from your day! I do my best to keep it quick and efficient so everyone can get back to mingling and partying! Here are some tips on how we can prep:
Plan Ahead and Create a List
In the months leading to your wedding, I send out a questionnaire and have you create a list of all the groupings you want to include, along with working together to finalize the timeline for the day. Groups often include just immediate family, extended family members, and any special groupings you want to capture (e.g., bride and groom with grandparents, siblings, or cousins). I will have this list with me during the wedding to make the formal photos as efficient as possible! The biggest tip here: keep groupings simple. Keep in mind that large group photos can eat up a lot of time, especially when you're trying to get everyone looking their best. But can we still do a large photo of all guests or all family? Absolutely.
Assign a Family Photo Helper
One of the best ways to speed up the process is to designate a “family photo coordinator.” This can be a family member, wedding planner, or even the maid of honor or best man. Their job will be to help gather the necessary people and have them ready for the next photo, making my process more efficient. Having a designated person (especially someone who knows everyone by name) to help is extremely beneficial as a photographer! If you added a second photographer, they can also assist with this, though they would typically be photographing cocktail hour during this time.
Convenient Location & Backup Plan
Ideally we want to select a spot that’s close to where the ceremony or reception will take place. You don’t want to have to transport everyone to another part of the venue, everyone is happier staying close by. For outdoor weddings, weather can be unpredictable, and rainy days are especially stressful when it comes to family photos. In addition to scouting your primary family photo location, I always have a backup location ready in case of bad weather or if the space you’d planned to use becomes too crowded.
Note: From the moment I arrive at your venue on your wedding day, I am scouting the best location for your family portraits. Natural light is always ideal, but depending on the weather, venue, and your preferences, we can certainly make it work in a variety of scenarios.
Keep it Efficient
It’s tempting to try and get every possible combination of people, but time is precious on a wedding day. Set a strict time frame for family photos. 30-45 minutes is generally enough for most weddings. The goal is to keep things efficient and fun while getting all of the photos you want, and still getting you back to your cocktail hour to celebrate with family before the reception begins!
Tip: Let your family know the photo schedule ahead of time. If they know that family portraits will take a set amount of time, they’ll be more cooperative and prepared to move quickly.
Mitigating Tension
If there’s any tension between family members (hey, it happens), we will discuss before the wedding, and you may want to address it with them before the wedding day to avoid awkwardness.
Be Flexible, Don't Stress!
Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned on a wedding day, so it’s important to adapt if needed. Maybe a family member shows up late, or someone unexpectedly gets distracted. Take a deep breath, roll with the punches, and focus on the bigger picture: capturing beautiful memories with loved ones. We will already have a plan in place, and your photos will be beautiful!
