There’s so much going on, applause, congratulations from every direction, even confetti being thrown as you and your groom just crossed the threshold to officially become husband and wife.
As you exit the ceremony, the family is headed to cocktail hour and the bridal party just scattered allover the venue and grounds. Everyone is in different directions and now its going to take a half an hour just to gather everyone and get the group picture you imagined you would have.
We’ve seen this scenario play out time after time. And unfortunately, this is not the best recipe to get the best family photos captured on one of the most important days of your life.
Here’s a guide to ensure that you’ll get all the family photos you’ve been wanting.
There should be an exit plan.
Before the big day arrives the immediate family you want pictures with should know the game plan. If your relationship is close enough that you’d invite other family members to take pictures with you, they should know where to meet directly after the ceremony.
Time is of the essence.
You’ve only got your photographer for a few hours and although a 9 hour package seems like more than enough time, time flies and you want to make the most of it. At weddings everyone is sentimental and suddenly your mother’s uncle needs to be in every family photo although you’ve only seen him twice in the last 10 years. It’s important to prioritize and think about who you want pictures with. Most often for the sake of time, it’s immediate family for the formal photos. This includes siblings, grandparents and of course mom and dad on both sides.
Think about the wedding day family photos that you’ll most likely frame out and put up in your living room. These are the people that need to be included in the family formals, everyone else you can catch by the bar or dance floor at the reception for a quick and fun snapshot.
Easy Does It.
As the clock ticks, cocktail hour is slipping away, and your sister has been wanting to try the hor d'oeuvres ever since you raved about it. Here’s a suggestion, take the group pictures with your siblings first and let them get to the party.
The best thing you can do is be prepared the day of. You don’t want to run around looking for people, it wastes time and it doesn’t add to the smooth experience you had hoped for on your wedding day. If you communicate with your family, coordinator and photographer you’ll be sure to have better photos and memories all around!
