How to plan for family and bridal party portraits on your wedding day
In my experience, portraits can either be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding day OR one of the most fun and meaningful parts! These are questions I recommend going over together so you can be the most intentional with your time + groupings:
Which specific family portrait groupings are most important to you?
If it’s important to you to stick to a small determined amount of time for photos then you likely will have to be really selective with which family groupings you choose for portraits.
How much time does your photographer need for each grouping?
Most photographers will say 3-5 minutes for larger groups, and 2-3 for smaller groups.
What’s your preference for the amount of time dedicated to family and bridal party photos?
Can your photographer work with that amount of time? Do you need to edit down your shot list or adjust the timeline to accommodate?
How much time do you want to be away from the rest of your guests? Do you want to be taking photos during cocktail hour or would you rather be mingling?
Are there other open times in the timeline that will allow for photos where you don’t have to be away from your guests? If you are away from them, will they have access to snacks and drinks while waiting?
Are you willing to do a first look so that you can create more time for portraits prior to the ceremony and guest arrival?
Wedding trends and styles change so much over the years, but let’s not forget that wedding photography started out as a time to document all the important people in a couple’s life. While it may not be the most glamorous or detailed part of your wedding day, make sure to be intentional about what (and who) is important to you.
