How to have Great and Relaxed Group Pictures on Your Wedding Day - Q&A

The question of how to get better group pictures during your wedding day and how to make the group pictures more efficient and smooth, timeline wise has been a question coming up frequently. So much so, that I would like to dedicate this post entirely to group pictures and my tips on how to make them more fun, when to take them and how to organise them.

Before we start though, let me say this. I have wedding couple who have not a single group image in their whole wedding reportage and I have couples who have many. There is no right or wrong way concerning the amount of group pics. The right amount is what is good for you.

This being said, on the photography end of the day I often see my couples getting tired during too many portraits with friends and family. Which is why I think it is a very good idea to plan ahead.

Tip no. 1: Plan ahead, Make a list

When you plan your wedding day, I think is is very smart to plan ahead also in regard to the group pictures. You can decide how much time you want invest in this and how many groups you would like to shoot. Make a list of all the groups which are a must in advance. If you are a person who gets tired out easily by a lot of people running around you I highly recommend limiting the group images in number.

Tip no. 2: Communicate with your Photographer

When you have the list and the plan of your day get back to your photographer and let that person know about your wishes. Ask how much time they think you should plan for the amount of group images you would like to have. I think photographers vary in this respect. I for example like to have some room for play especially with the bridal party and closest family members. This way you have the formal images and some more candid ones.

Tip no. 3: Split the Group Picture Time

Taking too many group images in a row can be very exhausting for some. My number one tip for avoiding this is: divide the group picture time into several slots. This way the bride could have the portraits with her bridesmaids while getting ready or right after. The groom can have the portraits with his best man while getting ready as well. If you are opting for a first look you could extend the shooting time to include family portraits before the wedding ceremony. In the afternoon you could set aside a short time slot to have pictures with friends from work and college and so on.

Tip no. 4: Find a Friend to Assist the Photographer

It has happened that my bride and groom have gone on the missing person hunt. Another scenario I have had is Rici, can you find uncle Peter? and then me sets out among the sprinkled wedding guests (sometimes up to 300…) asking around if you are uncle Peter or aunt Berta, come with that… All of this is a lot easier if you ask a friend to help us during the group picture time. It is very helpful if that person knows most of the guests by name and face. Often it is a sibling of the couple. Let them know about the time slots for group pictures and hand them the list. It helps if you explain that in advance. This way you (bride and groom) and me can remain in the good light spot I have chosen for the portraits, people will come to us, instead of us, running around gathering guests. It is a lot easier this way and will make the day way more chilled for you two.

Tip no. 5: Do we Really Need this? Eliminate

If you are a quiet person, if you are stressed by crowds and many people around you, this one is for you. Think again about the list you just made with your bride or groom and reflect on whether you need all the 47 group images or if it would be better to eliminate some groups and sit down for a slice of cake and a cup of warm during that time instead. This of course is highly personal and may not be the case for you. Another way to get a handle on this is, to have a priority A list and if by surprise you are full of energy (or on a sugar high) and want to take more group images instead of less you take on the priority B list.

Tip no. 6: Create Room for Play

Many of my clients book me because they like the candid pictures we take, the seemingly unnoticed moments. To be honest with you, I love those candid moments as well! One way to create more candid moments is to give a little more room time wise for the pictures. This way I can get you to interact with your dad or you granny for example. Unless you have a very intimate wedding party this is often not possible for all group pictures. But for me it is always worth some extra time to get the formal shot and then some extra shots as well. Good times to do this is often away from the crowd. Like during getting ready time or before the sunset shoot.

Extra Tip alla Rici: Consider the Sunset Time

This is an extra tip for those who love the sunset and who are planning with a sunset session. Bring someone along you feel very comfortable with. This is a very cool tip to have someone to goof around with, maybe assist me with gear, and if time permits (of course we could pre-plan this 😉 ) even have some fun golden hour images together.

Was this helpful for you?

I would love to hear which tip you thought helpful!

Do you have another trick of tip to make the group images more relaxed?

Let me know in the comments!