How Much Time to Schedule for Formal Family Photos?
Ah, family photos—one of the most cherished (and potentially chaotic) parts of your wedding day. Getting everyone together, looking fabulous, and smiling in unison is no small feat, but with a little planning and a solid timeline, it’s totally doable.
Click here if you're looking for how much time to schedule for the bridal party and couple.
Timing is Everything
For formal family photos, plan for 2–3 minutes per family grouping.
- Small Groupings: If you have 10 different arrangements (say, grandma with all the aunties, or cousins piled in with you), you’ll need about 20–30 minutes.
- Easy-To-Herd Families: If your family has a talent for cooperation and promptness, 2 minutes per group will be a breeze.
- Harder-To-Herd Families: For families where no one listens, someone’s forever missing, or you just know it’s going to be chaos, allow 4–5 minutes per grouping. Better safe than sorry!

Set Yourself Up for Success
The key to smooth, stress-free family photos? Preparation, communication, and a pinch of herding magic.
1. Let Everyone Know What’s Happening
Communication is your secret weapon.
- Talk in Advance: Before the big day, let key family members know when and where they’ll be needed for family photos.
- Make Announcements: Ask your officiant (or the DJ) to remind everyone before and after the ceremony to stick around for pictures.
- Assign Herding Duties: Enlist one or two loud, take-charge personalities who know everyone’s names and faces. These are your “family herders” who can keep everyone present, ready, and smiling.
2. Have a Well-Written List
A detailed photo list is like gold on wedding day chaos.
- Share the List Early: Send your photographer a copy before the wedding and have extras printed for your family herders.
- Start Big: Begin with the largest groups first (entire family shots), then work down to smaller groups. Prioritize photos with kids and elderly relatives early to accommodate shorter attention spans and physical needs.
- Add Names: Label each grouping with names (e.g., “The Birch family: Alex, Grandma Grace, etc.”). This lets the photographer call out names and keep things moving efficiently.

Example Photo List (30–40 Minutes)
Here’s a sample timeline to get you started:
· Bride and Grooms Families
· Grooms entire Family
· Brides entire Family
· Bride and her grandparents
· Groom and his grandparents
· Brides immediate family (parents, siblings and spouses)
· Grooms immediate family (parents, siblings and spouses)
· Bride, groom, both sets of parents
· Bride, siblings and her parents
· Bride, siblings (group and individuals)
· Bride, parents
· Bride, her mom
· Bride, her dad
· Groom, siblings and his parents
· Groom, siblings (group and individuals)
· Groom, parents
· Groom, his dad
· Groom, his mom

Bonus Pro Tips:
- Stick to Your Timeline: The tighter the schedule, the more efficient we’ll need to be. It's always better to have a few extra minutes in your schedule in case something happens.
- Stay Flexible: Some groupings may take longer than others. Trust your photographer to keep things running smoothly.
- Have Fun: Family photos don’t have to feel like a chore—relax, laugh, and enjoy the moment!

Final Thoughts
Family photos are a chance to honor the people you love most, so don’t stress if it takes a few extra minutes or if Uncle Bob insists on making goofy faces.
The key is to plan ahead, communicate clearly, and let your photographer guide the process. With a little preparation, you’ll end up with beautiful, meaningful images you’ll treasure forever.
May the odds be ever in your favour,


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