Perfecting Family Portraits
Family PortRaits
In 20-30 years, these are some of the most cherished photos you will have from your wedding day, and YES, family portraits have the potential to be stressful. But that is why we plan ahead to organize so it all goes “Easy squeezy- lemon peezy!”
Plan ahead of time
We will send over a wedding questionnaire about a month and a half before your wedding which will collect a list of formal family photos. This is a good time to have a discussion about what family photos are important to you and your immediate family.
On the questionnaire make a detailed list of family photos AND please include names!
Sample Family Portraits List
Partner 1’s Side
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 1’s Parents // (Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 1’s Parents and siblings // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 1’s Grandparents // (Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 1’s Parents and Grandparents // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 1’s immediate family + extended family // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 and 2’s Family
Partner 1 & 2 – immediate family + extended family // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Both sets of Parents together // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Both sets of parents and siblings // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 2’s Family
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 2’s immediate family + extended family // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 2’s Parents and Grandparents // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 2’s Grandparents // (Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 2’s Parents and Siblings // (Name, Name, Name)
Partner 1 & 2 – Partner 2’s Parents // (Name, Name)
Allow enough time in the schedule
It is important to think about the schedule when it comes to family portraits. If you do a first look and do wedding party photos before the ceremony, there will be plenty of time for family photos.
If you don’t do a first look, you will have to be more careful and allow enough time for family photos, wedding party photos, and portrait session photos before the reception.
Also, a receiving line where you greet all of your guests after the reception can take 15-30 min as well depending on the number of guests.
The more family photo combinations, the longer they will take.
Plan 1 -2 minutes per combination. For example, 15 combinations will take about 15 -30 minutes.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions on scheduling, we are happy to help!
Inform your family when/where the portraits will be taken
Sometimes this is simple to do before the big day and sometimes not. If not, designate a family member (or multiple) to communicate with all the family members on your list. If we’re doing the portraits immediately following the ceremony, ask them beforehand to stick around for family pictures. I can’t tell you how many times “Uncle Joe” has gone on to the reception because he didn’t know he needed to stay for family pictures. On top of that, if the ceremony and reception take place in different locations, this can make an even bigger issue once someone you need leaves!
However it gets accomplished, make sure all the appropriate people know where they need to be and when!
We got it from there!
After planning is complete, we will have a meeting about a month before and go over all the final details.
We will be prepared at the wedding with the list you created and be checking them off as we go!
That’s it! So as long as you can supply a list and let the guests know, it should be easy as pie! It’s a top priority for us that we are quick and efficient so we can help you get right to the partying!