Group photos can be stressful! BUT... they don't need to be!
Here are my top tips for how to ensure the group photo part of your wedding day is completely stress-free!
Alert your family:
Let the family members who will be in your group photos know ahead of time, and/or have your officiant make an announcement for family to gather for photos in a designated place after the ceremony. If you are doing immediate family only, make sure to have the officiant make this clear to your guests.
Top 10:
I have written a few suggestions for group shots below, but I recommend that you prioritise your top 10 must have photos to capture first. Think about photos in terms of timings - each grouping is going to take at least 60-90 seconds to capture. That includes rounding everyone up, organising them into an aesthetically pleasing grouping, and taking 10-15 shots to make sure I get one with everyone looking at me and not blinking, etc. If you have 30 shots that you want captured, that's going to be probably 45 minutes of standing there smiling at the camera, and not moving around at all (I like to have the couple stay in one place and have everyone else come to them). After probably 20 minutes, you're going to start suffering from 'photo fatigue'. In other words, you're going to get fed up of having your photo taken and want to go off and actually talk to your guests and enjoy yourselves! That's why, if we get your most important 10 photos done first, then everything else is a bonus, but you can then feel free to say, actually we've had enough now, and all of the important photos will already be captured!
Shot list:
I will ask for a shot list before your wedding to have all the family photo combinations you would like. This way, I can have my assistant or a friend of yours call out who is up next. Plus, this will ensure we do not forget any photos you'd like.
Start big:
I recommend structuring your list to start with the biggest group first, then working your way to smaller groups so that guests who are no longer needed can go off to enjoy the day. I also suggest having grandparent/older guest photos done first so they can go earlier as well.
Designated helper:
Having a helpful friend or family member who know your families well and is willing to assist in making sure all included in family photos are present and ready to go can be a big help!
Phone free zone:
When a guest is taking a phone photo over my shoulder, this can confuse the people in the photo with where to look and can also really slow things down. Please have guests refrain from taking phone photos.
Here are a few suggestions for group photos:
Partner 1's Side:
Couple with Partner 1's immediate family
Couple with Partner 1's Grandparents (all)
Couple with maternal grandparents
Couple with paternal grandparents
Couple with Partner 1's parents
Partner 1 with Partner 1's parents
Partner 1 with Partner 1's Mum
Partner 1 with Partner 1's Dad
Couple with Partner 1's siblings
Partner 1 with Partner 1's siblings
Partner 2's Side:
Couple with Partner 2's immediate family
Couple with Partner 2's Grandparents (all)
Couple with maternal grandparents
Couple with paternal grandparents
Couple with Partner 2's parents
Partner 2 with Partner 2's parents
Partner 2 with Partner 2's Mum
Partner 2 with Partner 2's Dad
Couple with Partner 2's siblings
Partner 2 with Partner 2's siblings
Couple with both immediate families
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with parents and grandparents
Couple with all grandparents
Couple with all siblings
Couple portraits
Wedding party portraits
A big group photo with every guest
