WEDDING PLANNING

Wedding photography is one of the most important parts of a wedding day. For many couples, capturing formal family AND group photos is an essential part of their day. When it comes to wedding group photos, planning ahead is key to ensuring that the photo session runs smoothly on your wedding day and captures all the important moments with friends and family members in a relaxed and fun way. Here are our top tips for making the most of your formal group photos a breeze

Create a Detailed List of Groups you want Photographed

I suggest creating a very detailed list of who you would like photographed and this includes adding each persons name.

When it comes to capturing formal group photos on your wedding day, there are some essential shots that you don’t want to miss. Here is an example checklist of the most important formal group photos for most weddings: (I like to include their names)

1. Bride & Groom + Bride’s family 

2. Bride & Groom + Bride’s parents 

3. Bride & Groom + Groom’s family 

4. Bride & Groom + Groom’s parents 

5. Bride and groom all parents

6. Bride & Groom + Bridesmaids + Groomsmen 

7. Bride + Bridesmaids 

8. Groom + Groomsmen 

9. Bride and Maid of Honour

10. Groom and Best Man

Any other family/friend combinations you would like

I personally prefer to start with the youngest and older members of the family who may need a wheelchair or who will tire quickly.

Appoint an Usher for your Wedding Group Photos

Designate a trusted member of your bridal party or family to help organize and coordinate the group photos on the day. Impress on them the importance of gathering everyone required quickly so that guests can head off to cocktails. This person can assist in gathering people together, and keeping the process running smoothly, allowing the photographer to focus on capturing great shots. What we wish to avoid, is the scenario of spending your entire cocktail hour in search of misplaced relatives.

Allocate Enough Time for your Group Photos

On average I like to spend 2-4 minutes per group shot, if you have lots of combinations I suggest at least 30 – 60 minutes. And this is as long as we aren’t searching for Uncle Jo! I understand that every wedding is unique and the photography requirements will vary, If you have a large wedding party or multiple groups to photograph, it’s important to plan ahead so that your wedding photographer can get everything they need in the allocated time frame. Once the group photos are done, I suggest you dedicate a minimum 30 minutes for the couple portraits.

Keep it Simple

While it’s tempting to include every possible combination of family members and friends in your group photos, simplicity is key. Stick to essential groupings to avoid overwhelming yourself or annoying your guests. Focus on capturing meaningful moments with immediate family, bridal party members, and close friends. Finally, if there are any special poses or locations you’d like to capture, let your photographer know ahead of time so they have time to plan for it. With the right preparation and planning, your wedding group photos will be beautiful and a lasting reminder of your special day.