Planning Wedding Family Formals

Plan Your Wedding Family Formals Like a Pro: A Fun and Stress-Free Photo Experience

Hey there, happy couples! As a wedding photographer with tons of experience photographing family formals at weddings, I understand that this time can be exciting, but sometimes overwhelming and even stressful. But fret not, because when it comes to your formal photos, I’ve got you covered! Let’s work together to create the perfect photo shot list for your unique family, so you can stay organized, ensure nothing gets missed, and best of all, make it stress-free!

Get Organized with a Questionnaire:

I send all my Alicia Petitti Photography couples a questionnaire a few months before the wedding, and then have a meeting with them to review it and help plan their formals. This handy form guides us list out any and all shots they want, from sweet moments with grandparents to fun group shots with groomsmen. The best part is if your photographer has this list you don’t have be stressing about what photos you want the day of or wondering if a photo was forgotten!

I encourage you to do the same exercise with your photographer. Make sure to chat with them about your unique family dynamics and create a shot list that reflects all the moments that matter most to you. It’s a great way to confirm everyone is on the same page so your family formals go off without a hitch!

Sample Formal Lists:

Here’s a baseline for your family and wedding party formal photo list. Start with these and add or cut down as needed to fit your personal situation. Your family is like no other, so don’t be afraid to customize your photo list. Whether you have divorced parents, blended families, or differing cultures, just work together with your photographer to create a plan that fits YOU!

WEDDING FAMILY FORMALS:

• B&G with Bride’s Grandparents
• Bride with Mom
• Bride with Dad
• Bride with her Parents
• B&G with Bride’s Parents
• B&G with Bride’s Immediate Family
• B&G with Both Full Immediate Families
• B&G with Groom’s Immediate Family
• B&G with Groom’s Parents
• Groom with his Parents
• Groom with Mom
• Groom with Dad
• B&G with Groom’s Grandparents

WEDDING PARTY FORMALS:

• Bride
• Bride with Bridesmaids
• Bride with Each Bridesmaid
• Bride with Flower Girl
• B&G with Full Wedding Party
• B&G with Flower Girl & Ring-bearer
• Groom with Groomsmen
• Groom with Each Groomsman
• Groom with Ring-bearer
• Groom

Large Extended Family Group Shots:

I recommend saving any extended family group shots for the reception if you are not doing a first look. This way, we can gather everyone easily with the help of your DJ or band. Plus, it leaves more time for those romantic couple portraits during cocktail hour.

Choose Your ‘Must Have’ Photos Wisely:

Think about the photos you’ll proudly display in your home. If a particular shot doesn’t feel important, you may not need it. Remember, the more groupings you have, the less time for those special moments between just the two of you.

One photo that I don’t recommend putting on the chopping block but I often find is forgotten about is one that captures your whole NEW immediate family – That would include – Bride and Groom with all parents and siblings. This is your NEW family, and the photo that YOU are most liking going to want to hang on YOUR wall! Your parents and your partner’s parents will want just their side, but you will want everyone together.

Remind Your Family When and Where to Be:

Remember to let all your family members and wedding party know when and where they need to be for these photos. This way, you can relax and enjoy the day instead of waiting on anyone that ran to the bar or bathroom “just for a minute!” If anyone is waiting, it shouldn’t be YOU! 😉 I promise, if everyone is where they should be for family portrait time, we will get them back to the party in no time at all!

For Wedding Photographers:

As photographers, it’s crucial to go over the family shot list with your couples BEFORE the big day. This ensures you have enough time to capture all the photos the couple want without anyone feeling rushed – making for a wonderful client experience! I promise your couples, wedding parties, and family will all thank you for making this part of the day more enjoyable and fast!

Don’t know what other questions to ask to make wedding family formals feel stress-free? I highly recommend using a wedding day timeline questionnaire, like my Google Form with over 65 questions, to gather all the necessary information from your couples! Simply make a copy of the form, add your logo, and send it to your couples. Then you can create a perfect (and detailed) wedding day timeline in minutes.

Get your Wedding Timeline Questionnaire HERE!

For more wedding tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram and stay tuned to my blog. Let’s make the wedding day one to remember!