Wedding Day Tips | Getting Through Family Photos Easily

Wedding day photography is a whirlwind of capturing cherished moments, and family formals are no exception. I understand the importance of ensuring that these images are captured swiftly and smoothly, so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the rest of the celebration without delay. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how to make your family formals efficient and painless, so you can get to cocktail hour and start celebrating with your nearest and dearest as soon as possible.

About 2-3 months before your wedding day, your photographer (your’s truly) will send out what’s called a Wedding Questionnaire. In this document I will request a family photo list. I generally advise limiting the number of groupings to around 12 to keep the photos within the allotted time block. If you want more than that, fine by me! We’ll just need to allow for some extra time for this to occur. By providing a detailed list including the names and relations of each family member, we can streamline the process and ensure that no important groupings are missed.

This proactive approach helps us stay organized and efficient on the day of the wedding. Here is an example of what I am talking about: 

• Ross, Rachel, and Rachel’s maternal grandparents (Monica and Chandler)
• Ross, Rachel, and Rachel’s paternal grandparents (Phoebe and Mike)
• Ross, Rachel, and Ross’s maternal grandparents (Harry and Sally)
• Ross, Rachel, and Ross’s paternal grandparents (Sam and Diane)
• Ross, Rachel, Rachel’s parents (Jim and Pam)
• Rachel’s siblings and their partner(s)/children (David and Patrick)
• Ross, Rachel, and Rachel’s parents (Jim and Pam)
• Rachel and Rachel’s mom (Pam)
• Rachel and Rachel’s dad (Jim)
• Ross and Ross’s mom (Leslie)
• Ross and Ross’s dad (Ben)
• Ross, Rachel, and Ross’s Parents (Leslie and Ben)
• Ross, Rachel, Ross’s Parents (Leslie and Ben), Ross’s siblings and their partner(s)/children (Jean Ralphio and Mona Lisa)

Makes a little more sense? 

I always ask my couples to include both the relative’s name and their family relation so we can be both personal and efficient. I can tell you that gathering relatives for family photos is not the most fun thing to do, feels a little bit like herding cats, especially when everyone is caught up in the excitement of the day. SO… to avoid chaos, assign the task of gathering family members to your wedding planner or an organized and assertive relative who knows everyone will make this process go a lot faster and organized.  

Once the family members are gathered, we’ll work efficiently to capture each grouping on your list. With clear communication and direction from moi, we’ll move through the family formals “lickity split,” ensuring that each shot is captured beautifully and efficiently. By staying focused and organized, we can make the most of our time and ensure that you and your family can enjoy your guests’ company at cocktail hour as soon as possible. It then allows for more time and opportunities for us to capture organic, meaningful candids of you, your family, and your wedding guests.

Efficient and painless family formals are key to making sure that you are present for majority of your wedding day. By planning ahead, delegating tasks, and working together as a team, we can make the family photo process seamless and stress-free. I’m grateful for the opportunity to capture these cherished moments with you and your family, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you on your special day.