Family portraits may be the least exciting part of the wedding day, but these could actually end up being the photographs that are printed the most. All parents will likely want to frame their family photo from your wedding day, so of course it’s an important thing to capture. However, without a plan, it can quickly become chaotic, time-consuming, and stressful. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! Having a well-organized family photo shot list well in advance will ensure that you capture every V.I.P. while keeping the process efficient and smooth.

Why You Need a Family Photo Shot List

A structured shot list helps you:

• Save time and keep the wedding schedule on track
• Ensure no key family members are missed
• Navigate family dynamics that your photographer won’t know about (divorces, deaths, etc.)
• Prevent other family members from taking charge in the fly, (perhaps adding grouping after grouping that you may not want or need when you could be spending your time elsewhere!)
• Overall reduce stress for you and your photographer, for a seamless and enjoyable experience

How to Organize Your Family Portraits

1. Make a List for Your Photographer: Discuss your must-have shots with your partner and parents and then make a list for your photographer with the name of each grouping. (Example: Bride’s Side) with the first names in each group (Example: Bride, Groom, Joe, Janet, Nicole, and Gramma Jean)
2. Inform Family Members: Let everyone involved know when and where they need to be for photos.
3. Keep It Efficient: Arrange groupings in an order that minimizes movement and transitions. Typically this means one side of the family at a time, starting with the largest grouping and then getting smaller, or starting small and building up.
4. Consider the Best Timing: Typically, family portraits happen right after the ceremony, so family can be told to stick around while the rest of the guests move to cocktail hour. Or better yet, these group photos could also be scheduled before the ceremony if you choose to do a first look!

Building Your Own Family Shot List

When deciding who to include in your family portraits, think about the images you’ll cherish the most—those you’ll frame in your home and pass down to future generations. These usually consist of immediate family and grandparents.

Remember, you can always take more informal photos with aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family during the reception after the formalities. Keeping family formals limited to key individuals helps streamline the process, reducing stress for everyone, while ensuring you make the most of your wedding day. I’d like to see you spend more time celebrating with your guests than posing for the camera!

After photographing over 100 weddings and seeing firsthand which photos couples and their families want and love, here’s my recommended family formal photo list, so you can use this as a starting point and adjust for personal preferences or different family dynamics:

An Example

NOTE: the following list (in my experience) will take 20-30 minutes depending on the group.

Parter 1’s Side

• Parter 1 with mom
• Parter 1 with dad
• Parter 1 with both parents
• Parter 1 with sibling(s)
• Parter 1 with maternal grandparents
• Parter 1 with paternal grandparents
• Parter 1 with Parter 1 ‘s immediate family (or all of the above)

(add Parter 2 here)

• Parter 1 & 2 with Parter 1’s immediate family + spouses (parents, siblings, and siblings’ spouses & children)

Partner 2’s Side

• Partner 2 with mom
• Partner 2 with dad
• Partner 2 with both parents
• Partner 2 with sibling(s)
• Partner 2 with maternal grandparents
• Partner 2 with paternal grandparents
• Parter 2 with Parter 2 ‘s immediate family (or all of the above)

(add Partner 1 here)

• Partner 1 & 2 with Partner 2’s immediate family + spouses (parents, siblings, and siblings’ spouses & children)

Optional: Both Sides

• Partner 1 & 2 with all parents
• Partner 1 & 2 with all siblings
• Partner 1 & 2 with everyone! (all immediate family, both sides)

Final Few Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Family Portraits

• Feel free to keep it simple! The above list covers all bases, but you can also skip the variety of smaller groupings, jump right to the full group that includes everyone, and be done with it. For my own wedding, I did 5 family photos total: us with my family, us with his family, us with his other family (split parents), and us separately with our own grandparents. To me, that’s all that mattered, making sure each side of the family had one group photo to print, and then moving on!
• Watch the clock: Each grouping will take 1-2 minutes of time (accounting for the time it takes to call up each group, organize/direct the people, take the photo, and then clear them away.) So budget the allotted family photo time accordingly!
• Assign a helper: Have a family member help gather the people required before photo time.
• Be mindful of elderly family members: Make sure the location involves a place for elders to sit if necessary.
• Keep calm and carry on!

Final Thoughts

A well-planned wedding family portrait session ensures you capture priceless memories with those you love most. By preparing a thoughtful shot list, you’ll make the process smooth, enjoyable, and efficient for everyone involved.

Wishing you the most wonderful, happy wedding day!

-Molly Mia