How to Plan Your Family Shot List
Let’s be honest—family photos can be one of the most stressful parts of your wedding day. We've seen couples overheating in the sun, shouting names, and family members nowhere to be found. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a little prep, we can keep this part of the day calm, quick, and meaningful.
Prepare Your Photo List Ahead of Time
The most important thing you can do is create a list of every family photo you want taken. Organize the list by each side of the family, and within each side, order the groupings from largest to smallest. This keeps things efficient and respectful of everyone’s time.
For example, if your cousin Kelly is only in one photo, place that group early on the list so she doesn’t have to wait around. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in the flow of your day.
Once your list is made, make sure to tell everyone involved when and where they’ll need to be for photos. That way, nobody is wandering off or confused when the time comes.
Keep It Simple
Be intentional with your groupings. Do you really need a dozen variations of the same people in different combinations? Probably not. We recommend keeping your list to about 15 groupings total—just enough to cover everyone who matters most, without dragging the process out.
Assign a Family Helper
On the day of, choose someone who knows a good portion of your family to call out names and help organize the groupings. The last thing you want is to be the one wrangling people when you should be enjoying yourself.
We’ll place you and your partner next to each other, and then your family members will step in and out for each photo. Smooth, simple, and stress-free.
Timing: 30 Minutes
We usually set aside about 30 minutes for family photos. With your list prepped and a helper in place, that’s all the time we need to get every shot you care about, without dragging things out or derailing the rest of the schedule.
We’ll be there to help guide things along the way, but this simple prep ensures that family photos are full of joy instead of chaos. Let’s make this part of the day one you’ll actually enjoy.
— Sierra & Austin
Hi, We're Sierra & Austin. A Photo Video Team for Joyful Couples
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