Is it possible to have a stress-free family photo session on your wedding day? Absolutely—especially when you and your wedding photographer are on the same page. During our pre-wedding consultations, we often ask couples: “Which part of your wedding is the most important for us to capture?”
Of course, every part of your wedding matters—but your answer helps us understand what matters most to you. It’s no surprise that the ceremony, portraits of the bride and groom, and reception moments usually top the list. But while family photos don’t always rank as the highest priority, they are often the images you’ll come back to the most over the years. After all, weddings are one of the rare moments when family and friends from all over come together in one place.
Because of this, we always recommend taking a little extra time to plan your family photo session thoughtfully.
How much time do you need for family photos?
We typically suggest setting aside 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of groupings.
As a general guideline:
- Each group takes about 3–4 minutes
- This includes gathering people, positioning them, and capturing the photo
And yes—this time often includes tracking down a missing uncle or two 😉
To keep things running smoothly, we recommend planning for 6–12 groupings for a relaxed, stress-free experience.
When should family photos happen?
The timing of your family session can make a big difference in how smooth it feels. Here are the most common options:
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- Immediately after the ceremony (most popular and efficient)
- Before the ceremony (if you’re doing a first look)
- Right after the ceremony before cocktail hour
We’ll help you choose the best option based on your timeline and priorities.
Steps to creating a great family photo list
About 1–2 months before the wedding, we’ll ask you to provide a family photo grouping list. To make this process as simple as possible, we also provide our couples with a template to help organize their groupings. A clear and well-structured list helps keep the family session efficient and stress-free on the wedding day.
When creating your list, keep the following in mind:
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- Be specific
Example:
Group 1: Bride & Groom + Groom’s Parents (Dave and Mary)
Include both roles and names to avoid confusion. - Start with larger groups
Then work your way down to smaller combinations. - Photograph older family members first
This allows them to finish early and relax. - Plan based on time
Remember: each group takes about 3–4 minutes.
- Be specific
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a simple example:
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- Bride + Groom + Bride’s Parents
- Bride + Groom + Groom’s Parents
- Bride + Groom + Both Immediate Families
- Bride + Mother
- Groom + Father
- Bride + Siblings
- Groom + Siblings
- Bride + Grandparents
- Groom + Grandparents
You can always customize this to fit your family dynamics.
General tips for a smooth experience
Once your list is ready, these tips will help everything run seamlessly on your wedding day:
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- Assign a “photo wrangler” (or two)
Choose someone who knows your families well and can help gather people quickly. - Communicate clearly
Let family members know:- when the photos are happening
- where to go
- who the wrangler is
- Keep the location convenient
Ideally, the photo area should be close to the cocktail space so guests are easy to find. - Choose a shaded area when possible
This ensures comfort and beautiful, even lighting. - Don’t worry if someone is missing
We’ll move on to the next group and circle back if possible—no stress needed.
- Assign a “photo wrangler” (or two)
Pro tip
Assign one person from each side of the family who is not in every photo. This helps keep things moving quickly and avoids unnecessary delays.
Tips during the family photo session
These may sound simple—but they make a huge difference:
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- No sunglasses (we want to see everyone’s eyes!)
- No drinks in hand or visible in the frame
- Everyone should be able to clearly see the camera
Final thoughts
With just a little planning, your family photo session can be one of the easiest—and most meaningful—parts of your wedding day.
These are the images that capture your people, your history, and your connections—the ones you’ll revisit again and again.
And when everything is organized ahead of time, you can focus on what really matters:
enjoying the moment with the people you love most.
Follow us on Instagram for more images!
The Guide to Stress-Free Family Photo Session Created by Ever After Photographers. Voted as Best Wedding Photographers in Toronto, Canada.
