Efficient Family and Bridal Party Photos for Your Wedding Day
Family and bridal party pictures are some of the most cherished moments of your wedding day. To keep this part of the schedule smooth and enjoyable, we’ve developed an efficient system. While we generally recommend a first look to capture these images before the ceremony, our process remains effective whether or not you choose to see each other beforehand.
1. Start with Immediate Family
Begin with the largest side of the family, focusing on immediate family members and grandparents. If we include aunts, uncles, cousins, and godparents at this point, it can quickly add chaos to the timeline. Well-meaning family members may request additional shots, which can extend the timeline and include pairings you might not care about. Instead, we recommend saving extended family shots for the reception when things are more relaxed.
2. Structured Grouping Process
We follow a systematic approach: start with the largest group, gradually removing individuals until only the couple and one set of parents remain. Then we’ll add the other set of parents, creating balanced shots without feeling rushed. This method ensures we capture all pairings efficiently.
3. Use the Questionnaire Wisely
When completing the questionnaire we’ll send you, provide relationships rather than names, like “Bride’s Mom, Dad, Brother.” This helps us ensure we capture all important pairings without overwhelming you with details. If there are specific, non-traditional shots you desire, feel free to note those as well.
4. Communicate with Family
It’s crucial to inform your family ahead of time about where and when the family pictures will take place. A simple email itinerary can work wonders, ensuring everyone knows their role and when to be present. We’ve seen couples miss important shots due to miscommunication, so clear instructions can save you disappointment later.
5. Transitioning to Bridal Party Photos
After family photos, we’ll send them away to simplify the process. We recommend having only one formal bridal party session to maintain consistency. Couples often worry they won’t have enough time for group shots during cocktail hour, leading them to split the bridal party pictures into pre-ceremony sessions. However, this can extend the timeline unnecessarily.
For instance, if the bride and her ladies are at a hotel and move to a nearby park for photos, this can take around 30 minutes, especially if the groomsmen are at a different location. Instead, we can complete all wedding party pictures—including group, ladies, and gents—within 15 minutes when done at one location.
6. Keeping It Fun
During the wedding day, it’s essential to keep the atmosphere relaxed. While it’s your day and you can decide on special requests for pictures, be mindful that these can throw off the timeline. Our structured approach ensures you’ll love the results while getting back to the fun of your celebration!
Leading up to your wedding, we’ll schedule a phone call to go over these details and ensure we’re all on the same page.
