The only list I need is your family portrait list. This is the list of family groupings we will photograph during the family portraits portion of your wedding day. Listed below are the best tips to help this part of your wedding day run smoothly. I have also included an example family list of the most commonly requested family groupings.
I will need approximately 3 minutes on the timeline for each requested family portrait grouping. If you find your list is growing longer than the time we've allocated, we may need to build in additional time into your timeline. You can email your list back to me anytime before your wedding.
Please inform your family where to be and when
It's common for photos to be held up waiting for one person.
Keeping people together following the ceremony is easier than excusing them to cocktails and trying to individually find each person and pull them back.
Appoint someone from each side of the family to be the portrait coordinator for their side
Giving a copy to one person on each side of your family to call out the names and bring up each group streamlines family portraits and let's everyone get back to the party as quickly as possible.
Family photos add up quickly
3 minutes for each portrait group x 10 groups = 30 minutes of photos.
Wrangling everyone and finding missing people, removing phones/wallets/keys from pockets, putting down bags, adjusting hair & clothing, getting everyone into the right spot, aligning everyone with the background, positioning them so everyone's face is visible to the camera.
The time allocated for most weddings is 30 minutes. Photo fatigue is real and 30 minutes is a long time to be taking photos.
Please keep in mind that people QUICKLY wear out when they are waiting to get to the party.
Requesting more than 10 groupings
If you would like to request more than 10 family groupings, more is definitely possible.
We will need to build additional time into your timeline for the additional formal family portraits.
I encourage you to limit your family photos to immediate family and grandparents.
If a photo with your aunts + uncles + cousins is important, I suggest we build in time for a large group photo with everyone.
Avoid variations of the same group. It's better to get big groups of everyone important to you rather than asking individuals to step in and step out between shots.
Photos with friends
The list below is just family photos.
The reception is a great time to pull me aside for photos with your cousins, coworkers, and school friends.
I highly recommend both partners stay together for all the photos we take
Avoid repeating the same shots single (bride-only, or groom-only) and again as a couple.
Organizing your list
Write out the names of each person in your list.
Organize your list in a way where you can stay put and add in family around you.
Start with the biggest family groupings first.
We want to photography any elderly or mobility-impaired guests early on.
BRIDE’S SIDE
b&g + b's grandparent(s)
b&g + b's grandparent(s) + parent(s) + sibling(s) & their partners and children
b&g + b's parent(s) + sibling(s)
b&g + b's parent(s)
BOTH SIDES
b&g + all parents on both sides
b&g + flower girl(s) + ring bearer(s)
b&g + officiant
GROOM'S SIDE
b&g + g's parent(s)
b&g + g's parent(s) + sibling(s)
b&g + g's grandparent(s) + parent(s) + sibling(s) & their partners and children
b&g + g's grandparent(s)