Family photographs are the ones your parents will frame and your grandparents will ask for. They're also the part of the day most couples dread a little, because everyone has been to a wedding where they dragged on while the canapés went cold.
They don't have to. With a short list and a bit of planning, family photographs can be done in 10 to 15 minutes once everyone is there, and nobody notices they happened. Here's how we'd suggest putting yours together.
Keep the list short
Eight to ten groups is plenty for most weddings. Each group takes a minute or two once people are in place. The time goes on finding people, not on taking the photograph, so every extra group adds more than you'd think.
Start with the people you'd be upset not to have a photograph with: parents, siblings, grandparents. Then ask yourselves: are extended family important in the official family portraits, or are you happy for us to grab them casually throughout the afternoon? Either works, and the second keeps the list short. Friends and colleagues are usually happier in the relaxed photographs we take all day.
A simple example list
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with one side's parents, siblings and their partners
Couple with the other side's parents, siblings and their partners
Couple with each set of grandparents
Couple with one side's extended family (optional)
Couple with the other side's extended family (optional)
Couple with the wedding party
Everyone, if the venue has a good spot for it
Pick a helper from each side
We don't know your Uncle Gerry, but your cousin does. Ask one person from each side who knows everyone, and isn't shy, to gather the next group while we're photographing the current one. It's the single biggest time saver.
Tell people in advance
A quick message the week before saying "we'd love you in a family photograph straight after the ceremony" means people stay close instead of heading for the bar. If you're having a first look, some of the family photographs can be done before the ceremony too.
Where and when
Straight after the ceremony works best, while everyone is together and looking their best. We'll pick a spot with soft, even light, and we always have an indoor option in mind in case it rains.
Send it to us before the day
Send us your list a couple of weeks before the wedding, with names next to each group. On the day we'll call out the groups, keep things moving and keep it fun. Then ye can get back to the drinks reception.