I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, specifically family photos, over the last ten years. I love to evaluate ways that I can make things more streamlined or organized. Knowing that one of the most common areas are stressful family photos, I’ve listed four easy ways to avoid it!
If you are currently a bride or future bride-to-be, I hope you keep these tips tucked in the back of your pocket! After offering these tips to my bride and grooms, it has turned stressful family photos into a breeze. More organized, less time wasted and no more looking for family members. The best part? These tips can work with every family dynamic out there. Let’s dive in!
(1) Create a list with your Wedding Photographer & Include name
I love to send my clients this wedding day questionnaire that provides me with everything I need to know about their wedding day, including family photos. From the questionnaire, my clients are asked which specific photos they want with their families. For example: Bride and Groom with Grooms Parents (John & Sue).
Secondly, it’s also incredibly helpful to share the names of each individual! This allows your photographer to call out their name instead of calling for “mom”. It also eliminates any confusion of who you’re looking for as well as being able to identify their connection to the Bride and Groom.
(2) Have your pastor make announcement after the ceremony
Guests already know that cocktail hour is directly after the ceremony and most likely have hors d’oeuvres on their mind. While you still have the guests attention, have your pastor make an announcement of what is expected next. The last thing you want to do is waste your time filing through cocktail hour, looking for 1-2 individuals in a 100+ person crowd. This can easily be avoided by making an announcement for everyone to hear.
If you are a Bride and Groom in need of a Wedding Photographer, I’m looking for three couples like you to serve! Will you reach out to me today? I’d love to hear from you!
(3) Individually contact the family members letting them know
I also love to suggest this because “family” is often a gray area. Are you talking about your second cousins? Great aunts and uncles? Full extended family? By contacting the specific individual(s) ahead of time (prior to the wedding day) to let them know that they are needed for family photos will help them be prepared and ready after the ceremony. Also, this also cuts down on the question, “Am I included in family photos?” and chasing after the photographer for the family photo list.
(4) Make a distinct location to gather for photos
Lastly, have a specific and designated location for the photos to take place. If you’re unsure of the specific location (which is typically decided by your photographer), just choose a general location. For example, the front of the sanctuary. If everyone stays in the same location it will be easier to move a new location if needed, per the photographers discretion. Or if you want to stay where you are, that’s okay too and everyone is still where they need to be!
Looking for more tips to implement on your wedding day? I’d start here: