How to Plan Family Photos on Your Wedding Day | Alberta Wedding Photographer Tips
Family photos are one of those things that can feel like an absolute nightmare for some couples or it’s a total breeze. Of course this might be dependent on the size of your family but nonetheless, if you’re working with me, I can promise you it will be fun and easy.
As an Alberta wedding photographer, one of the most common things I help my couples with is organizing family portraits on the wedding day. It’s so important to make sure everyone who matters to you is included, and that the photo process runs smoothly and stress-free.
Start with a Conversation About Expectations
Before we create a family photo shot list, I always ask my couples how big their family is and what their priorities are. Do you want to include extended family like aunts, uncles, and cousins in your wedding photos? Will your parents expect certain groupings that you may not have thought of?
It’s essential to talk through these expectations early in the planning process. If large group photos are important to you, that’s totally doable—we just need to allocate the right amount of time in your wedding day timeline so that no one feels rushed or overwhelmed.
How Much Time Do You Need for Family Photos?
I typically recommend setting aside one full hour for family portraits. While we often finish around the 30-45 minute mark, it’s better to have extra time than not enough. If we finish early, that gives you more time for your own romantic portraits, bridal party photos, or even a quiet moment alone with your new spouse.
Building in a time cushion ensures your wedding day in Alberta flows smoothly without unnecessary stress or delays.
When to Schedule Large Group Wedding Photos
For larger family group photos, I suggest doing them immediately after the ceremony. That way, we can use the ceremony chairs to seat some guests in front, which makes the photo look more polished and balanced. It also makes it easier to fit everyone into the frame!
Pro tip: Assign someone (your wedding coordinator, venue staff, or a helpful friend) to help move chairs if needed.
Creating a Wedding Family Photo Shot List
Once you know who you want in your family photos, we’ll create a detailed list. I send out a wedding questionnaire a few months before your big day that includes space for you to fill in your custom family photo shot list.
This helps ensure we don’t miss anyone important. Speaking from personal experience—on my own wedding day, I didn’t get a photo with my mom (who’s one of my best friends!), and I vowed never to let that happen to one of my couples.
How to Format Your Wedding Photo List
To make the process smooth and efficient, I recommend formatting your family photo list like this:
- Separate by each partner’s side (Bride’s side, Groom’s side)
- Include any combined family shots in the middle (e.g., all parents)
- Start with large groupings first, then narrow down to smaller pairings
- Put families with young kids first so they can get their photos done quickly
Here’s an example:
Large Group Shot (Optional)
Bride’s Side
- Couple with Bride’s Immediate Family (Sandra, David, Matt, Lacey)
- Couple with Bride’s Parents (Sandra & David)
- Bride with Mom (Sandra)
- Bride with Dad (David)
- Couple with Bride’s Siblings (Matt & Lacey)
Continue adding any additional combinations here.
Both Sides Together
- Couple with all Parents (Sandra, David, Kelsey, Eric)
Groom’s Side
- Couple with Groom’s Immediate Family (Kelsey, Eric, Amy, Danny)
- Couple with Groom’s Parents (Kelsey & Eric)
- Bride with Groom’s Mom (Kelsey)
- Bride with Groom’s Dad (Eric)
- Couple with Groom’s Siblings (Amy & Danny)
Add any other custom groupings.
Assign Wedding Photo Helpers
Designate one person from each side of the family to help gather people for photos. Your helpers should know who everyone is and have a printed copy of the photo list. My assistant will call names, but we rely on your helpers to find and organize people efficiently—especially when we’re working with extended family.
Communicate with Family Before the Wedding
Make sure your family knows when and where the family portraits will be. If we’re taking photos right after the ceremony, remind everyone not to wander off. Having everyone ready and nearby helps keep the timeline on track and ensures we don’t miss anyone.
Final Thoughts from Your Alberta Wedding Photographer
Planning your wedding family portraits doesn’t have to be stressful—with a little organization and communication, it can be one of the smoothest parts of your day. If you have any questions about your photo list, timeline, or anything else related to your wedding photography in Alberta, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help every step of the way!