Wedding guests taking a joyful selfie together at an ornate venue during a formal celebration.

Here's a How-to for ya!

 

Family Formals Without the Chaos

 

How to Prep for Wedding Photos

So your family doesn’t wander off and your drinks don’t get warm.

(TL;DR: Make your list, tell your people, and send it to me the week before your wedding.)


Why This Matters

You don’t need to send me a Pinterest board, a list of TikTok-inspired candids, or a minute-by-minute mood board. That creative side? Fully covered. I promise.

What does help is a simple list of names and groupings for your family photos.

Family portraits are one of the only parts of the day where we need to pause, gather people, and move quickly. A little prep makes this part go smooth and keeps everyone happy (I mean, let's get to the party!).

After our final meeting, I’ll send you a quick form to collect exactly what I need. It won’t take long, and this page walks you through what I’m asking for and why it matters.

Wedding party members in gray suits and blue dresses share candid laughing moments outside a white columned venue.
A bride in a white gown and birdcage veil holds a vibrant bouquet of red, blue and pink flowers next to a groom in black suit.

What I Do Need From You


Here’s what I’ll ask after our final consult:


  1. A family photo list with first names and who should be photographed with who
  2. The time you have set aside for family photos
  3. A general idea of how simple or extended you want these photos to be
  4. 1 week before the wedding.


That’s it. This list is all about logistics, no inspiration required. Most of my clients want to minimize the time here as much as possible. I aim to take clean, well let, organized groups. This list is strictly for family portraits so I can make that part run efficiently.


You’ll get to the good stuff faster. I promise.

How to Make the Family List

(pay attention, this is important part)


Keep it simple.

Just first names and groupings.

Start with the biggest groups first, then narrow it down. Use family surnames when it makes sense (ex: “The Smiths”).


Here’s a sample layout:

  1. bride & groom, Sally, Tim, Mikey, Fred, Jenny, Craig, Theresa, Phil
  2. bride & groom, Sally, Tim, Mikey
  3. bride & groom, Sally, Tim
  4. bride, Sally, Tim & the Smiths
  5. bride & groom, Bill, Jenny, Kim, John, Ted, Francis
  6. bride & groom, Bill, Jenny, Kim
  7. groom, Bill, Jenny & the Jenkins


You don’t need to explain how everyone’s related (I will forget). You’re giving me a quick script so I can run the show. The clearer your list is, the smoother it’ll go. I holler names, line 'em up, shoot and move to the next one.


Also: Tell your people they’re in the photos. If no one tells them, they’ll wander off. Bathroom, bar or who knows where. A quick heads-up means we’re not searching for Uncle Steve while everyone else stands in the sun waiting.

Wedding party members stand together for formal portraits inside an ornate church sanctuary.
A wedding party stands together in formal attire in front of a vine-covered wall on a bright sunny day.
A group poses together outdoors for a formal wedding photo on a sunny day with trees in the background.
Wedding party members stand in front of rustic red brick wall at outdoor celebration venue during evening event.

When to Do Family Photos


In this section, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of the main timing options, plus a few alternatives you might not have considered. The goal here is to help you pick what fits best with your flow so you can enjoy your people and your party.

Black and white photo of photographers with cameras capturing a scene on an ornate staircase with patterned floor.
Option 1:

Before the Ceremony

Usually happens after the first look.


Pros:

  • Everyone’s fresh and photo-ready
  • You can get to cocktail hour faster
  • Less stress post-ceremony


Cons:

  • Everyone (including family) needs to arrive earlier
  • Doesn’t work if you’re skipping a first look
  • Heat can be a challenge outside if you have a later day ceremony.

 

Best for a tight timeline after the ceremony

 

⌚

Option 2:

Right After the Ceremony

While guests head to cocktail hour, we gather the crew.


Pros:

  • Keeps with tradition
  • No early arrivals needed
  • Everyone’s already in one place


Cons:

  • Can cut into cocktail hour
  • More risk of people wandering off
  • Everyone might be a little sweaty or hungry.

 

Best if you have a large span of time before the cocktail hour starts

 

🍸

 

ALternative Setups

Split Sessions:

  • Immediate family before the ceremony & Extended family during reception.
  • Keeps the day moving without cramming everything into one window.


Reception Groupings:

  • Quick informal shots during dinner or dancing
  • Great for a casual vibe, or if some family arrives late.


Just a Few at Sunset:

  • Ideal for elopements or small weddings
  • Focus on parents or chosen family during golden hour


One Big Group:

  • When you don't care. You just want e'erbody in a shot
  • We round 'em up, I stand on a chair and holler

 

Choices, choices, choices!

 

🤷

Learn More About Me
Wedding party poses together outdoors on scenic stone wall with green rolling hills and forest in background.
Four connected photos show a wedding ceremony in a church with stained glass windows and clergy members in traditional robes.
A group of formally dressed people pose together outdoors against a white building with greenery and purple flowers.
A wedding party poses outdoors in formal attire on a sunny day with trees and greenery in the background.
A formal wedding party poses together in front of white columns and door decorated with floral wreaths.
Group of people dressed formally posing together in a beautiful traditional church sanctuary with ornate altar.
Group photo of wedding party with bride in white dress and others in formal navy and black attire against brown backdrop.
Wedding party poses together in front of a classic white building with ornate columns and doorway.

How Big Do You Want to Go?

Totally your call.

  • Want to keep it tight and quick? Stick with immediate family.
  • Want to include the full crew... grandparents, cousins, college besties? I’m game. Just know it takes more time and we’ll build that into the day.

Not sure what’s “normal”? Ask me. We’ll figure out what makes sense for your people.

Group takes a fun selfie together at a wedding celebration outdoors with smiling faces gathered around a phone camera.

A Few Tips

  • Don't skip the list! This is how I make it happen the way you want it to happen.
  • Pick a wrangler (or two) who knows your people and can help gather them
  • Ask your caterer to bring hors d'oeuvres and drinks to the photo spot
  • Stick to the list, it’s our anchor. Add-ons are fine, but they take time
  • Let me lead once we’re rolling. I’ll move things along and keep it relaxed
A guest in a black and white patterned shirt at an outdoor venue takes photos on their mobile device during an event.

Once we start, I’ve got it handled.

Let’s Keep It Easy


This part doesn’t need to be stressful or long. Once you send me your list, I’ll take it from there. You just show up, hug your people, and enjoy the rest of your day. Simple as that.