There’s no question that some of the most important photographs from your wedding day are the family and wedding party formals. I also know, without doubt, that just about everyone involved would prefer to be sampling the delicious drinks and appetizers while socializing rather than standing in a line. And your experience and enjoyment of the day is the most important thing. That’s why pre-planning for your family formals is essential.
The first thing to consider is when you’ll want to do the group portraits. Many couples choose to see each other before the ceremony these days (sometimes called a first look or reveal), and if you do all of the formals at that time, then everyone can enjoy all of cocktail hour. This option requires everyone to be ready an hour and a half or two hours before the ceremony.
Whether you choose to do the photos before or after the ceremony, one key to efficient and stress-free formals is to let everyone know ahead of time when and where they are expected to be. Send an e-mail and remind them at the rehearsal dinner. Let them know how important their presence is!
Another thing to consider is where you’ll photograph the family formals. If you are having an outdoor wedding, then a nice evenly-shaded area is ideal. If you are having your wedding at a house of worship, then the altar or steps outside may work well.
As you put together the list of formals you would like documented, let these two questions guide you: 1) Will this image be included in our album? 2) Will this image be printed and framed? If you can’t answer yes to either of those questions, you may want to reconsider the inclusion of the image in the list you provide your photographer.
I recommend using the following list as a starting point:
Couple with partner one’s parents
Couple with partner one’s family (parents, siblings, sibling’s spouses and children)
Couple with both families
Couple with partner two’s family (parents, siblings, sibling’s spouses and children)
Couple with partner two’s parents
Partner one with attendants
Couple with entire wedding party
Partner two with attendants
From here you can add or remove photos that make sense for your unique family circumstances. Letting your photographer know ahead of time about family dynamics (divorces, certain people shouldn’t stand next to each other, etc) helps mitigate any potential awkwardness. Believe me, no photographer wants to put their foot in their mouth in front of your nearest and dearest!
Finally, it’s important to allow enough time for these images. How long do the formal photos take? A good rule of thumb is three minutes per grouping, though larger groups with extended family will take longer (plan for five to seven minutes). The list suggested above can be completed in 25 minutes.
