Family photos are one of the trickier parts of a wedding day, but with a little planning, they can be smooth and stress-free.
Putting together a family photo list might not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most helpful. A clear plan keeps everything moving quickly and makes sure no one important gets missed.
Here’s what you need to know to make it easy.
Let’s get started!
Family Photos During Cocktail Hour
Right after the ceremony is usually the best time for family photos. Everyone is already dressed and gathered, so it’s the easiest moment to get those done without too much back-and-forth.
That said, it helps to plan ahead. Ask your family members on the photo list to stay near the ceremony space right after it ends. Most people naturally drift toward cocktail hour, so a reminder from you or even the officiant or DJ can go a long way.
You also don’t need to stress about choosing a location. I’ll scope out a spot nearby with solid lighting and a clean backdrop so we can knock out the portraits and get everyone to the party as quickly as possible.
Pre-Ceremony Family Photos
If you’re planning a first-look wedding, doing family photos before the ceremony can be a great move. It frees you and your family up to enjoy more of cocktail hour without sacrificing any of the important portraits.
This approach works best for immediate family since they’re usually already at the venue early. Just be sure to let everyone know to arrive at least one hour before the ceremony, dressed and ready to go. (And if anyone’s known for running behind… maybe tell them 30 minutes earlier 😉)
Any remaining group photos with extended family can still happen after the ceremony using the same communication tips from the section above. This way, you’ll still get to enjoy a big chunk of cocktail hour together.
Planning ahead here means more time for cocktails, hugs, and soaking it all in.
Creating Your Wedding Family Photo List
This part of the day is usually reserved for immediate family — parents, siblings and their spouses, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and kids. Photos with extended family and friends can happen more casually during the reception.
When building your list, it’s super helpful to include first names (for example: B + G + Mom (Sarah) + Dad (John) + Siblings (Jim, Charlotte, Dylan)). Including both of you in each photo also helps things move faster and keeps the day feeling cohesive.
To keep everything on track, aim for 15 groupings or fewer, since each one takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes to coordinate and capture.
Bride’s (B) Side:
- B + G + Mom + Dad
- B + G + Mom + Dad + Siblings
- B + G + Mom + Dad + Siblings + Spouses + Kids (nieces/nephews)
- B + G + Grandparents
Groom’s (G) Side:
- B + G + Mom + Dad
- B + G + Mom + Dad + Siblings
- B + G + Mom + Dad + Siblings + Spouses + Kids (nieces/nephews)
- B + G + Siblings
Combined:
- B + G + Both Parents
- B + G + All Parents + All siblings + All Spouses + All kids
Pro tip: Assign a helpful (and ideally loud) family member to be the photo wrangler. It makes things way smoother when someone who knows everyone can help rally the crew quickly.
Real Example
Kaleigh’s List:
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck (Dad) + Mary (Mom)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Cammi (Sister) + Bailey (Sister)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Cammi + Bailey + Curtis (Cammi’s fiancé)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Cammi + Bailey
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Harriet (Grandmother)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Francis (Grandfather) + Martha (Aunt)
Jacob’s List:
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Dan (Dad) + Tonette (Mom)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Dan + Tonette + Vona (Sister) + David (Brother)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Dan + Tonette + Vona + David + Nate (Brother-in-law) + Landon (Nephew) + Jordan (Nephew)
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Vona + David
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Landon + Jordan
Combined Family:
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Dan + Tonette
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Dan + Tonette + Cammi + Bailey + Vona + David
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Dan + Tonette + Cammi + Curtis + Bailey + Vona + David + Nate + Landon + Jordan
- Kaleigh + Jacob + Chuck + Mary + Dan + Tonette + Harriet + Francis + Martha + Anthony + Shirley
“We have big families… why limit the list to 15 pairings?”
I usually recommend keeping your family photo list to around 15 groupings. Each setup takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes to arrange, pose, and shoot. That time adds up quickly, and we’ll also need to leave room for wedding party photos and portraits of the two of you.
I always build in a little buffer just in case things run behind, but keeping the list lean helps us stay on track and stress-free.
Of course, if more family groupings are important to you, I’m all for it. Just know that the longer it takes, the more likely folks are to get antsy. The “are we done yet?” energy can sneak in and affect the vibe, especially if people are waiting around for their turn.
“What about friends, cousins, kids, etc.?”
Absolutely include them — those photos are just as meaningful. College friends, cousins, kids, your old camp crew… I’m here for all of it.
The best time for these types of shots is during the reception or whatever time remains in cocktail hour. That way, we can focus the earlier portion of the day on immediate family and wedding party portraits.
Table shots (where you visit each table during dinner) are one option, but they can take a while and eat into your evening. A more efficient idea: have the DJ invite each table to the dance floor or a designated spot (like your sweetheart table) for a quick group photo with you both. That keeps things moving and saves you a ton of walking.
If that sounds like a fit, chat with your DJ and coordinator to help work it into the timeline.
Family Is a Gift
Family is one of the biggest reasons you’re celebrating in the first place. A thoughtful photo list helps you honor them while also keeping things smooth and stress-free. With a little planning, you can knock out timeless portraits and get back to the party faster.