Wedding Family Photos: How to Plan & Organize Your Family Formals

Your wedding family photos are some of the most meaningful images from your big day. These portraits capture the love and connection between you and your closest family members. However, without a plan, they can quickly become chaotic and time-consuming. By organizing your family formals in advance, you’ll ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that allows you to enjoy the moment while getting all the photos you want.

Talk with Your Partner & Set Expectations

Before creating your wedding family photos list, sit down with your partner to discuss what’s most iBefore creating your wedding family photos list, sit down with your partner to discuss what’s most important to both of you. Every couple has different preferences, so it’s essential to align your vision early on.

Ask yourselves:

• Do you want just immediate family, or would you like to include extended family and chosen family?
• Are there special relationships to highlight, such as grandparents, step-parents, godparents, or close family friends?
• Are there any sensitive family dynamics to consider, such as blended families, adoptive families, or unique family structures?

Setting expectations early will help you create a thoughtful and inclusive list that ensures everyone important to you is represented.

Make Your List

Once you’ve discussed your priorities, start listing the groups you want in your wedding family photos. Begin with immediate family, then move on to extended family, chosen family, and any special groupings.

Here are a few common groupings to consider:

• Couple with Both Sets of Parents or Guardians
• Couple with Each Set of Parents or Guardians Separately
• Couple with Siblings
• Couple with Grandparents
• Couple with Extended Family (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, etc.)
• Couple with Chosen Family (Mentors, Best Friends, Godparents, or Parental Figures)

Being specific about who will be in each photo will save time and ensure that every important person is included. If you’re unsure, ask family members or close loved ones for input.

Categorize & Plan

Grouping photos strategically will help the process move quickly and efficiently. Start with smaller groups and gradually build up to larger ones. This ensures that no one is left waiting too long and helps keep everything organized.

A simple approach is to categorize your wedding family photos like this:

1. Immediate Family – Parents, guardians, siblings, and grandparents.
2. Extended & Chosen Family – Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close loved ones.
3. Special Groupings – Best friends, mentors, godparents, or any important figures in your life.

Plan for 2-3 minutes per group, and factor in buffer time in case of delays. If someone is running late, be flexible and adjust the order as needed to keep things moving.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Wedding Day

By creating a detailed and inclusive list, you’ll eliminate last-minute stress and ensure that your wedding family photos run smoothly. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to capture all the special moments while still enjoying your wedding day.

Looking for more wedding photography tips? View my wedding photography portfolio for inspiration, or contact me today to start planning your picture-perfect wedding photos!

For more wedding planning tips, check out The Knot for expert advice on organizing your big day.