The Best Way to Schedule Group Photos for YOUR Wedding
Wedding Timeline Strategy: How to organize your group photo shot list and timeline so that you minimize stress and maximize fun at your wedding!
A Plan is Key
It's easy to underestimate the importance of a well-organized group photo session on your wedding day. However, one of the keys to a smooth wedding day lies in creating a defined group photo list – it will ensure you stay on track with the timeline. When you stick to the timeline, you’re able to take dreamy photos at sunset before the sun goes over the horizon, dinner isn’t delayed for your guests, and you avoid overage charges for keeping your vendors longer than originally agreed. Even if you’re not a Type A person, a good timeline and a good plan is your friend!
SUMMARY: Budget 90 minutes total on your wedding day for posed group photos. Have a clear group photo list curated by you and your photographer that includes the exact groups that are actually important to you and your loved ones. That way, you’ll ensure you get all the right group photos on your wedding day and have plenty of time to celebrate!
Think about the Big Picture
Why do we take group photos at a wedding in the first place?
Group photos become keepsakes that document the presence and support of loved ones. They also symbolize the joining of two families. Your loved ones won’t be around forever, and a group photo serves as a way to remember them. Family members and loved ones travel from far and wide to be present at your wedding, and this is the chance to memorialize their presence.
Clearly, group photos at a wedding are important, but just how important?
If group photos become really stressful, the challenge of taking them can outweigh their value. There are a number of common problems that arise during group photos. For example, someone doesn’t show up when they are supposed to and everyone waits around until they are found. Or, someone makes a group photo request during the middle of group photos that isn’t a priority for the couple or close family.
How much time do group photos deserve on your wedding day?
In an ideal world, you capture all the right group photo combinations on your wedding day that will be meaningful to you and your loved ones. And, you don’t waste time capturing group photos that you’ll never look at. If it’s done right, you get group photos done efficiently and then you can go party!
The Like Morning Sun Group Photo Approach
Couples who choose us as their photo and video team value these things:
Being emotionally present on their wedding day to enjoy their loved ones (instead of getting stressed out with endless combinations of group photos)
Having their day captured in a candid, natural way (instead of having lots of staged and rigidly posed moments)
Capturing a few group photos with the right people (instead of lots of combinations of the same people)
Having awesome newlywed portraits that feature lots of sunshine and the gorgeous locations around their venue (instead of photos in the dark due to taking too long on group photos)
If you agree with these values, then our approach is for you.
Here it is:
Give 90 minutes total for posed group photos on your wedding day, including:
30 Minutes with your Bridal Party
30 Minutes with your Family
30 Minutes of you and your spouse
The rest of the time is to be present and celebrate!
The Process
Here’s our 3-step process for making your group photo list.
Step 1 – Review our Standard Family Photo List below.
Step 2 – If you feel a group photo option is missing, put it through this filter:
“Will I, my parents, or my grandparents want to look at this group photo often and/or want to print it?”
If "yes" keep it on the list
If “no” capture it at the reception
Step 3 – Make adjustments to our list to fit your family.
Here’s our list and an explanation for its structure. We begin with grandparents so that they can finish group photos quickly and be free to rest. If they are up for joining the larger group photo, great!
Then we start small on the bride’s side and work our way up to a large group photo with all her family members. Everyone on the groom’s side joins for one giant group photo with both families. Then we remove the bride’s side and work our way down to smaller and smaller groups on the groom’s side.
Adjust accordingly to your unique family situation.
The Standard Family Photo List
Grandparents
BRIDE and GROOM with BRIDE’s Grandparents
BRIDE and GROOM with GROOM’s Grandparents
Bride’s Side
BRIDE with Mom
BRIDE with Dad
BRIDE and GROOM with BRIDE’s Parents
BRIDE and GROOM with BRIDE’s Parents and Siblings
BRIDE and GROOM with BRIDE’s Parents, Siblings, Partners, and Children
Both Sides
BRIDE and GROOM with immediate families on both sides
Groom’s Side
BRIDE and GROOM with GROOM’s Siblings and Parents, Partners, and Children
BRIDE and GROOM with GROOM’s Siblings and Parents
BRIDE and GROOM with GROOM’s Parents
GROOM with Mom
GROOM with Dad
Alternative Options
If it’s important for you to take more photos than you see in the standard list, here are some other timeline friendly options:
Take a big posed group photo of everyone on the dance floor at your reception.
Take photos with all of your guests at each table during dinner.
If you’re having a buffet-style dinner, the newlywed couple can stand at the front of the line and the photographer can capture a photo with each group.
Pull the photographer aside during the dancing portion of the night and ask for a photo!
One Last Quick Tip
Designate a wedding guest to assist the photographer with group photos. Choose someone who knows all or most of the guests that will be in group photos. That way, they will be able to identify them when it’s about to be their turn. Your photographer just doesn’t know everyone, so this will speed things up!
That’s It!
That’s our process for capturing the right group photos on your wedding day. Following this process will help to make sure that your wedding day goes smoothly and that you can have the photos that people will really care about.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read through this guide. I hope it helps you prepare for one of the most special days of your life.
If you want your group photos professionally captured, we may be a good fit. Our schedule fills up fast so I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. Request our availability here.
We wish you the best on your wedding planning, your wedding day, and your future together.
Find out if we’re available for your wedding!
