Wedding family photos are a meaningful part of every wedding day. But family photos can be one of the most challenging things to organize, especially when you are coordinating large families and making sure every important combination is documented.

Taking family photos on your wedding day preserves your legacy and tells the story of two families coming together. This post covers tips for stress-free family wedding family photos, advice on when to take family portraits, and a sample checklist to make sure you don’t miss any combinations of loved ones.

What Are Wedding Family Photos?

Wedding family photos, or family formals, are portraits of the bride and groom taken with their immediate and extended family on the wedding day. 

These portraits are keepsakes to share with future generations. It is not every day that your entire family is dressed up and gathered together, making your wedding day the perfect opportunity to take formal portraits. Long after your wedding day, you will be able to look back at your family photos and remember celebrating this incredible milestone of two families becoming one. Many of my couples have shared that they are so grateful to have formal portraits of loved ones who were there at the wedding but have since passed away. You never know when it will be the last time you are together with certain members of your family.

How to Make the Most Of Family Photo Time

Family formals can feel a little hectic, but with the right preparation, they can be an enjoyable part of your wedding day. How can you make sure to get the most out of your family portrait time?

1. Create a detailed photo list.

Before your wedding day, write down every combination of family members you want photographed. Make sure to include their names and relation so your photographer can easily organize everyone on the big day. Make sure your photographer has seen the list and provided any necessary feedback so they can schedule family formals as efficiently as possible.

2. Trust your photographer.

Once portraits begin, let your photographer call out names and organize poses. They have your list and will make sure to document every combination quickly. Interjecting or going out of order can slow things down. Allow them to compose the full portrait, from calling your family members up in front of the camera, staging them, and then taking the photo. Your photographer has composed many family portraits, and trusting them to do their job will ensure you receive the best possible images.

3. Communicate with family members in advance.

Make sure everyone knows when and where to show up for family formals. They should be dressed and ready with plenty of time before formals start, so no one is rushing or missing from your photos.

4. Schedule portraits at the right time.

Some couples choose to take family photos directly following the ceremony when everyone is already gathered and looking their best. Others prefer to take them before the ceremony or during the reception. Talk with your photographer about what would work best for your timeline and lighting.

Tips for Stress-Free Wedding Family Photos

• Assign a point person to gather family members together. They will be in charge of making sure everyone needed for portraits is in the right place on time.
• Keep personal items out of sight. Sunglasses, purses, phones, and wallets can create distractions in photos. Tell your family members to put their personal items in a central location before portraits begin so there are no distracting items in your photos.
• Pick a photo-friendly location that will accommodate your family. If you have loved ones who have mobility limitations, choose an area that is easily accessible. Make sure there is enough space to photograph your whole group, and avoid high-traffic areas where guests will be walking back and forth while you are trying to take photos.
• Sit back and relax. Family photos can be a little stressful, but they shouldn’t cause you a headache. Plan ahead and let your photographer handle the rest!

Sample Photo List

Bride’s Family:

Couple with Bride’s Immediate Family (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

Couple with Bride’s Parents

Couple with Bride’s Siblings

Bride with her Parents

Bride with Mom, Bride with Dad

Couple with Bride’s Grandparents

Couple with both sets of Parents

Groom’s Family:

Couple with Groom’s Immediate Family (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

Couple with Groom’s Parents

Couple with Groom’s Siblings

Groom with his Parents

Groom with Mom, Groom with Dad

Couple with Groom’s Grandparents

Couple with both Immediate Families

How Long Will Family Photos Take?

For wedding family photos of your immediate family only (parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, and nephews), plan on 30 minutes of portraits. If you are including extended family or want photos of large family groupings, you will need to set aside additional time for things to run smoothly. The key is preparation. If your families are ready on time, everyone follows directions without interrupting, and your photographer is executing a solid plan, your family photos will fly by without issue.

Capturing Larger Family Groups

The more people in a photo, the more direction and planning are needed. If you have a large extended family, consider taking smaller group photos during your scheduled portrait time and saving the big group shots for the reception when there’s more space and less pressure! It is crucial to have a game plan for extended family portraits, including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Let your photographer know in advance of large family portraits so they can plan for the best way to capture the group.

Looking for an experienced photographer who will make wedding family photos a breeze? Reach out to me today!