No matter how unique or unconventional your wedding day plans may be, family wedding photos should never be overlooked. These pictures are more than just formal group shots – they’re memories you’ll treasure for decades.
Weddings are often one of the few occasions when extended family members gather in one place, making it the perfect opportunity to capture beautiful moments together.
If you’re planning your wedding and wondering how to include meaningful and well-organised group photos, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
From traditional portraits to candid snapshots, the Big Day Productions team has included the best ideas to help you create lasting family wedding memories.
1. Start with the Classic: Traditional Family Wedding Photos
Even if you’re going for a modern or laid-back vibe, every couple should include at least a few traditional group wedding photos. These are typically posed shots that include immediate family, extended relatives, and sometimes close family friends.
While they might seem formal, these timeless portraits are often the most requested photos after the wedding.
Tips for Successful Traditional Wedding Group Photos:
- Location matters: Choose a simple and elegant backdrop, ideally outdoors. Think shaded gardens, venue staircases, or open green spaces.
- Lighting tips: Soft, natural light works best. Overcast days are perfect; otherwise, shoot in open shade.
- Create a shot list: Help your photographer know exactly who to include (e.g., both sets of parents, siblings, grandparents).
- Assign a helper: Have someone from each family available to assist with organizing people efficiently.
2. Include Family in the “Getting Ready” Photos
One of the most emotional and candid times of the day is when the bride and groom are getting ready.
Including your closest family members during this part of the day can result in incredibly heartfelt and natural photos.
Brides: Capture Special Moments with Mum, Sisters, and More
- Include your mother, maid of honour, sisters, or cousins in your prep time.
- Ask your photographer to document moments like your mum helping you into your dress or your sister adjusting your veil.
- These behind-the-scenes pictures help tell the full story of your day.
Grooms: Don’t Skip the Groom’s Prep Time
- Capture candid moments with your dad, brothers, or groomsmen as you suit up.
- Classic shots include tying ties, buttoning jackets, or sharing a drink before the ceremony.
- These photos are often overlooked but make meaningful additions to your wedding album.
3. Plan a First Look with Family Members
While many couples choose to have a first look with each other, having one with your family can be just as emotional and memorable.
A first look with your parents, or even siblings, is a beautiful way to share the moment and capture raw emotions on camera.
Ideas for Family First Looks:
- Bride and father: One of the most touching photos of the day.
- Bride and parents: Capture both mum’s tears and dad’s pride.
- Groom and grandparents: If they’re present, these moments are priceless.
Plan ahead: Add this to your wedding timeline so you don’t feel rushed.
4. Don’t Forget to Include the Children
Little ones bring so much personality to your wedding day, and including them in your family wedding portraits is a must.
Their energy and playfulness create the most adorable and genuine moments.
Tips for Photographing Kids at Weddings:
- Let them be natural: Don’t force them to pose.
- Give them breaks: Don’t keep them waiting too long during group photos.
- Capture the details: Think tiny bowties, flower girl shoes, or giggles with grandparents.
Photos with children are often the most shared and remembered because they reflect the unfiltered joy of the celebration.
5. Capture Candid Moments with Loved Ones
Your wedding day will be full of spontaneous laughter, warm hugs, and sweet gestures between family members. These candid wedding photos often carry the most emotion because they happen naturally.
How to Plan for Candid Family Photos:
- Tell your photographer about any family dynamics or traditions.
- Share inside jokes or moments you’d like documented.
- Allow your photographer space to roam during toasts, dinners, and speeches to catch real reactions.
These small, unscripted scenes bring life to your wedding gallery and balance out the formal portraits.
6. Organise Without Stress: How to Make It All Run Smoothly
Taking group family photos doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With a little planning, you can keep things efficient and fun.
Steps to Organise Your Family Wedding Photos:
- Create a family shot list: Share it with your photographer in advance.
- Inform your family: Let them know where and when the group photos will take place.
- Have a time buffer: Allocate a realistic window – 20-30 minutes – for this part of the day.
Keep people close: Avoid having to chase family members during cocktail hour by taking these photos earlier.
Why Are Family Wedding Photos So Important?
Weddings bring together people who may live far apart or don’t get to see each other often. Taking family wedding photos is one of the most special things you can do.
These pictures aren’t just for you – they’re also for your parents, grandparents, siblings, and future generations.
- Cherished keepsakes: These photos will become part of your family history.
- Capturing shared joy: Everyone dressed up, smiling, celebrating—it’s the perfect scene for joyful pictures.
- Rare reunions: It’s a unique time when people from both families come together in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many family photos should we aim to take on our wedding day?
It largely depends on your guest list and how much time you have for photos. A good starting point is around 10-15 group shots, focusing on immediate family and any important extended family or friends.
How should we handle family members who may not get along?
If there are known tensions, it’s best to plan your group shots strategically. Consider grouping family members who are on good terms together and creating separate shots for anyone who may need distance.
Looking for Wedding Photography in the UK?
Big Day Productions specialises in capturing natural, elegant, and emotional moments that tell the story of your day – from the quiet getting-ready hours to joyful family portraits and candid laughter on the dance floor.
Contact us to learn more about our UK wedding photography and videography services.
