Group shots on your wedding day

Group shots on your wedding day which ones to include and how to best tackle them. For your guests (and you) it’s probably the most boring part of the day. – lots of hanging around, waiting to hear their name and smiling for the camera when really, your guests just want to spend time celebrating. 

However, the majority of couples still request some group photographs. It is always nice to have some family photographs in your final album but you don’t want to spend the whole day having photographs taken – you really want to be able to spend time celebrating with your guests.

It can  take a long time to photograph group shoots. On average allow 5 – 10 minutes for each photo by the time you’ve tracked down Uncle Alan who’s just wandered off to get a drink and perhaps Auntie Edith who’s popped to the bathroom.

For this reason I would always say plan these and limit it to 5 where you can, 10 at the most.

It’s also a good idea to ask one of your wedding party to help the wedding photographer get everyone together as they’re more likely to know faces than the wedding photographer is.

Whilst your wedding photographer is taking the photo, your usher can be ushering the next group into the same place so they’re easy to find when they’re needed – hence their title ;-).

Group shots on your wedding day – my top 10

It’s quite often that couples ask me for help when they start the group shot list, so here’s my top 10 group shots:

• Bride, Groom and Bride’s Parents
• Bride, Groom and Groom’s Parents
• Bride, Groom and Grandparents
• Bride, Groom and Friends
• Bride and Bridesmaids
• Groom and Groomsmen
• Bride, Groom and Bride’s Family
• Bride, Groom and Groom’s Family
• Bride, Groom and Children
• Everyone!

Of course, there may be a couple more that you would like, don’t forget some of the above can be covered early on during the bridal preparation, such as the bride and bridesmaids photo.

The same can be said for the groom preparations if your wedding photographer is covering them, or you have a second wedding photographer.

Chances are, family are a big part of your lives so they’re the photos you’ll want to focus on in the groups. 

Parents may love a photo of you all on their wall and you may want to frame the photo of you and your parents.

Very often a wedding is one of those occasions where everyone  gets together, so it is a great opportunity  to capture some memories or update.  

Group shots on your wedding day -have fun!

On the day I like it when groups interact with each other, rather than always looking at me! A natural laugh amongst each other is so much nicer than a forced smile to the photographer.

Probably the thing people struggle with the most when they’re having their photo taken is how to stand and where to face. Tip; don’t face me square on! 

As a rough idea turning in towards the centre of the group is really flattering and a great way of being able to interact with each other.

Another way is to stand face on to me, but put your arms around the people either side of you (gents make sure you unbutton those jackets to avoid the stretched look).

Oh no its raining

Don’t worry. When we visit your venue, we can chat about where we can do small groups if the weather is poor.

Hope this has helped with group shots but if you’re not sure, drop me a message.