How to Get Group Wedding Photos Done Quickly
Wedding photography allows you to look back on all the special moments of your big day. But just as important to your parents and relatives are the posed family photos. These are images that will be shared and framed, and while they’re certainly less fun to take than your wedding party and couple portraits, they’re still an important part of the day.
Group wedding photos can be a challenge. The goal is to get them taken as quickly as possible so that your guests don’t have to sit at the reception waiting for you to arrive. While there are a lot of variables that can create chaos, there are certainly some things you can do to expedite the family portrait process.
Compile a shot-list
Your wedding photographer will likely ask you to put together a list of family groupings you want to be photographed. Think through all the different configurations—e.g. parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family—and list out what posed group photos you want your photographer to take. By planning ahead, you can communicate to your family who needs to be where and when.
Enlist someone to round everyone up
One of the biggest challenges of group photos is making sure everyone is in the same place. Consider asking a cousin or friend to round up all your grandparents, aunts, and uncles to ensure they’re ready for the camera. Just make sure that whoever you assign this responsibility knows what everyone looks like—otherwise, they’ll be lost! Pro tip- Choose one person from each partner’s family.
Explain sensitive relationships to your photographer
Every family is different, and a wedding can often put people with strained relationships in close proximity. Be sure to talk to your photographer beforehand about any awkwardness or discomfort that may arise, as well as any people who need not be in the same photo. Professional wedding photographers have worked with hundreds of families, so they are definitely familiar with the strain of divorced couples or other issues and will certainly be understanding.
Set aside plenty of time for group photos
When building your wedding day timeline, make sure to set aside a significant chunk of time for your family and group portraits. If you choose to do a first look with your partner, you may even consider capturing your family photos before the ceremony, allowing a much shorter gap between the ceremony and reception. If you decide to take family photos after the ceremony, make sure you schedule in plenty of time to get all the necessary configurations that you want. Your photographer will help with this but generally plan for two minutes for each small grouping of less than four and closer to five minutes for each larger group. Adding in kids until six or family members with mobility challenges also adds time to each grouping.
** Looking for an editable group photo checklist? Click here! You must make a copy before editing.
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