WEDDING HINTS & TIPS | STRESS FREE WEDDING GROUP SHOTS AND FAMILY FORMALS
At my very first wedding, I agreed to do 40 group shots.
Well… when I say “agreed”, what I really mean is I was asked about 24 hours before the wedding, and felt a bit pressured — guilt-tripped, even — into saying yes to a list of 40 family formals.
I hated it.
It was the middle of July, the sun was blazing, and most guests just wanted to find some shade, grab a drink, and enjoy the day. But the bride and groom were set on getting every single group on their list, so we powered through.
After the “everyone whose surname begins with S and was born on a Tuesday” photo (not really, but it felt like it), the formals were finally done.
It took two hours.
Two hours of people wandering off.
Two hours of chasing people down.
Two hours where I couldn’t do the relaxed, documentary-style photography I’m known for.
Two hours of guests not being able to enjoy the day.
After that wedding, I knew something had to change.
I realised that endless group shots don’t just take time — they take energy, and they change the feel of the day. That’s why I now encourage couples to keep the formal group photos short and meaningful, and delegate someone who can help gather people quickly.
You absolutely should have a few family formals if they matter to you — and I’ll help make them happen smoothly and efficiently. But your wedding day is about moments, not line-ups. And I want to spend as much of your day as possible capturing real laughter, hugs, and happy tears — not shouting names into the wind.
All You Need - > 20 minutes. 6 formal shots. Boom.
Most of my couples book me for my relaxed, documentary style of wedding photography — they don’t want to spend ages standing in line for formal photos. And the reality is, I can only be in one place at a time.
So if you hand me a three-page list of family formals, that means I’ll be tied up organising those shots — and I’ll miss out on capturing all those natural, candid moments of your guests enjoying the day.
That’s why I recommend keeping the group photos simple and focused.
My approach? Around 20 minutes, with a small list of six key shots — enough to include all the important people without taking over the day.
I promise you: once we go past the 20-minute mark, you’ll feel it. The smiles start to fade, guests wander off, and it becomes harder (and slower) to get through the list.
A short, well-planned group photo list means we can get those must-have shots quickly — and then you can get back to enjoying your wedding, and I can get back to capturing it naturally.
MY RECOMMENDED 20-MINUTE GROUP SHOT LIST
‘Darren and Sharon's wedding (not a real couple – well, not one I have photographed)
Darren + Sharon, plus Darren’s immediate family
Darren + Sharon, plus Darren’s parents
Darren + Sharon, plus Daz and Shaz’s parents
Darren + Sharon, plus Sharon’s immediate family
Darren + Sharon, plus bridesmaids
Darren + Sharon, plus Best Man & Ushers
A quick 20-minute group photo session means less standing around, less stress — and more time for wine, hugs, and soaking up your wedding day properly!
GROUP SHOT OF EVERYONE AT THE WEDDING?
I only recommend doing an ‘everyone’ group photo if your venue has the right space for it — somewhere with steps, stairs, or a slope where guests can be layered, or a spot where I can get up high to photograph the group from above.
These photos can look great, but they do take a bit of time to organise — usually around 10–15 minutes just to get everyone in place. So if you’re keen to include one, please make sure to factor that into your timeline alongside the other family formals you’d like.
PARENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Before you finalise your family formal list, it’s a good idea to have a quick chat with your parents — whether that’s a call, text, FaceTime or a quick Facebook message. They might have a few suggestions or requests, and it’s much easier to have those conversations before the wedding day.
And if there are any tricky family dynamics to consider — don’t worry, it’s more common than you think! Most families have at least a couple of people who don’t get along. If that’s the case, just give me a heads-up beforehand.
I’ll make sure we arrange the group shots in a way that keeps things calm, smooth, and comfortable for everyone — and we’ll avoid anything that might cause stress or awkwardness on the day.
WHEN TO THE FAMILY FORMALS?
I usually start the family formal photos around 30 minutes after the ceremony.
This gives you a bit of breathing space — time to greet your guests, hug a few people, share a drink, and soak up the moment before we dive into the group shots.
Once you’ve had that first round of mingling and congratulations, we’ll gather the key people and work through the formals in a relaxed, efficient way.
WHAT’S THE BEST LOCATION?
It honestly depends.
Most wedding ceremonies happen between 12pm and 3pm — right when the sun is at its highest (and harshest). If the light is too strong, it can create unflattering shadows and squinting guests, which isn’t ideal for your family photos.
If you’ve got your heart set on a specific spot for the formals and the light isn’t playing ball, we might hold off until later in the day when the sun softens a bit — especially in summer, when the early evening light is perfect.
That said, if you just want to get the formals done and dusted after the ceremony, I’ll always advise you on the day about the best spot for the light and background. Unless we’ve already chatted about a location in advance, I’ll pick somewhere that gives us great light and keeps things quick and easy.
ROUNDING PEOPLE UP - DELEGATE!
It’s a good idea to nominate a couple of friends or family members to help round people up for the group photos. Ideally, choose people who know most of the guests in your formal shot list — siblings or close friends often work well.
Having someone who can quickly spot the right people means less waiting around for you, and helps us get through the formals much faster so you can get back to enjoying the day.
JUST ENJOY THE FAMILY FORMALS!
There are going to be people looking at other people (often with mobile phones), there might be a slanted smile, and there might even be a sneeze - so go with the flow!
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