While family formals are not the most creative part of our day we love capturing the most important people in your life on your wedding day!

1. Create a list.
   • send your photographer a list of the combinations you would like
   • use first names for the list so we can call people out by their name
2. Someone to gather everyone
   • A bridesmaid or groomsmen that knows people on each side of the family
   • ask them if they can help gather the family after your exit to begin portraits
   • sometimes a close family member works well for this too
3. Let your family know ahead of time.
   • If they are in a picture let them know the plan ahead of time.
   • share with them to go back to the front of where the ceremony was (if the location isn’t where your ceremony was then we will be sure to help get everyone to the correct location)
4. Let us know if there are any special situations we should know about.
   • Does Grandpa need to sit down?
   • Sally is like a sister so you would like her in the siblings photo.
   • Aunt Betty doesn’t get along with Uncle Bill?
   • Let us know and we will be sure to avoid any sticky situations
5. Any one who needs to leave first?
   • if a younger child needs to leave to eat or take a nap
   • someone needs to get to the reception to cool off or get off their feet
   • someone is decorating the reception and needs to get their quickly
6. What if we would like a REALLY big group picture
   • Sometimes large group pictures are easier with family formals and sometimes they are better organized at the reception.
   • Share with us what you are hoping for and we will look at the timeline and consider the location details and help you organize the best solution to get your large group shots!
   • Sometimes we have the DJ help us with these at the reception by calling out families or friends who you would like photographed.
7. What does the typical list include?
   • Family Lists:
     • Bride’s side
       • bride and groom with bride’s parents, siblings, and grandparents
       • bride and groom with bride’s parents and siblings
       • bride and groom with bride’s parents
       • bride with mom
       • bride with dad
       • (sometimes couples ask for individual shots with siblings or grandparents)
   • Bride and groom with both sets of parents
     • Groom’s Side
       • bride and groom with groom’s parents
       • bride and groom with groom’s parents and siblings
       • bride and groom with groom’s parents, siblings, and grandparents
       • groom with mom
       • groom with dad
       • (sometimes couples ask for individual shots with siblings or grandparents)

 

 

We will likely ask the groom’s family to sit on one side and the bride’s family to sit on the other side. We will start first with big groups or any family members who need to leave first. We will then go through the combinations from largest to smallest. Once we finish one side we will get the shot of both sets of parents and dismiss the other family members. After we get through your list we will double check with you to see if there is anything else you would like and then we will get a few formal portraits of you as well as the bridal party.

We will always be sure to work as quickly as possible and make sure that you receive all of the images you are hoping for! These images are so valuable for creating lasting memories and are often used in many of your family member’s homes! We love capturing these special relationships!

We are currently booking 2016 and 2017 weddings and can’t wait to talk to you! We hope this helped you to plan an important part of your wedding day!