Write a list, get your MC involved and all you have to do is smile :-)
It’s the part of the day that probably excites you the least, but you may want to think about how you’d like to organise your 'formal' family photos. These usually take place immediately after the ceremony, with different combinations of family. Regardless of whether you love or dislike your family dynamics, you’ll want to ensure this time is handled quickly and efficiently.
Put your MC to work
You can’t be everywhere and seeing as you’ll be in all these photos, you’ll need to assign someone to help coordinate with the photographer. A great person is often your MC or best man. Failing that, find someone who isn’t afraid to yell and direct people if necessary!
The Group photo
If you want a photo of everyone at the wedding, the best time to do this is straight after the ceremony. Everyone is still in one place, and it’s a great time to get them before they’ve wandered off after that second glass of champagne!
Once the group photo has been done it’s time for the family photos. Friends are often given instructions at this stage, leaving the family behind. Some couples like to then also have a big group photo with family members from both sides and this is usually a good time to get this done
Start big and work down.
Start with the largest family first – cousins, aunties, uncles, everyone…until you’ve reduced the group down until you’re just left with the parents.
Once the first family is completed you may want to get some photos with both sets of parents, siblings or even both families. Once this is done, the first family is then free to join the other guests.
Be mindful of the young and old
If you have elderly family attending, or young temperamental children, think about getting them done early on. After the largest family photos are finished, keep the grandparents if you’d like one on one photos of you and them. Many elderly people can’t walk or stand for too long a time, so be mindful of them.
Have some photos at the reception instead
If you can minimise the amount of formal family photos, your photographer will be able to get through these a lot quicker, leaving more time for your official location photos. If you have a group of friends or distant family, you may wish to opt to have photos with them after dinner, in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Provide a list to your photographer
Write a list from start to finish of every combination you want. If you’ve followed my tips above it should look something like this:
All family
All of Bride’s Family
One side of Bride’s Family
Other side of Bride’s Family
Bride, Groom and Bride’s immediate family
Bride, Groom and Bride’s siblings
Bride, Groom and Bride’s parents
Bride and siblings Bride and parents
Bride, Groom and both sets of parents
Bride, Groom and Groom’s parents
Groom and parents Groom and siblings
Bride and Groom and Groom’s siblings
Bride, Groom and Groom’s immediate family
One side of Groom’s family
Other side of Groom’s family
Family is not an important thing... it's everything