The Wedding Photo List You Actually Do Need
I love a good list. Seriously, I am a list person through and through. If it’s important, chances are it’s written down somewhere. My planner, my phone, sticky notes, Trello…you name it! There’s just something satisfying about knowing everything is organized and nothing is going to slip through the cracks.
That love of lists definitely carries over into wedding photography too! One of my favorite things to work through with couples before their wedding day is their family photo list. While so much of your wedding gallery is made up of natural, candid moments, family portraits are one of the few parts of the day that require a plan. Taking a little time to organize them beforehand helps everything run smoothly and means you can get back to celebrating with the people you love much sooner.
About a month before every wedding, I send my couples a questionnaire where we build out their family photo list together. Here are a few of my biggest tips to make family portraits quick, organized, and stress-free!
1. Save Extended Family Photos for the Reception
One of the biggest ways to save time after your ceremony is to limit formal family portraits to your immediate family.
While it’s tempting to photograph every aunt, uncle, cousin, and second cousin right after the ceremony, those combinations can add up quickly. Before you know it, cocktail hour is halfway over, people have wandered off, and someone is always missing.
If you’d like photos with your extended family, I recommend saving those for the reception. Everyone is already in one place, the atmosphere is much more relaxed, and it’s much easier to gather larger groups together for a few quick photos.
2. Let Everyone Know the Plan
One of the easiest ways to keep family portraits moving is by making sure everyone knows where they’re supposed to be before the ceremony even begins.
I always recommend letting your immediate family know ahead of time where family photos will take place and asking them to stay nearby once the ceremony is over. If needed, your DJ or coordinator can also make a quick announcement to help gather everyone. Trust me, people tend to listen pretty quickly when their name gets called over a microphone! 😄
3. Choose a Family “Helper”
This tip makes such a difference!
Ask one person from each side of the family who knows everyone to help gather people for photos. While I’m photographing one group, they can already be finding the next one. It keeps everything moving efficiently and helps us avoid spending valuable portrait time searching for Uncle Bob, who somehow wandered off to the bar already. 😂
With a little teamwork, family portraits are usually finished in no more than 20 minutes.
4. Include Everyone’s Names
When you’re putting together your family photo list, include people’s actual names instead of simply writing “Bride’s Grandma” or “Groom’s Brother.”
Not only does it help me call everyone by name throughout the day, but it also makes the experience feel much more personal. I love getting to know the people who are most important to my couples, and something as simple as using someone’s name goes a long way toward making everyone feel comfortable.
A little planning ahead of time makes such a big difference when it comes to family portraits. The more organized your list is, the faster this part of the day goes, which means more time celebrating with your favorite people instead of standing in line for photos!
f you’re working on your wedding plans, you’ll also want to check out my post on How to Create the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline. A well-planned timeline and an organized family photo list go hand in hand, helping your day feel relaxed from beginning to end!
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