With a plan, wedding family photos take around 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the list to 10 to 15 groupings, do them straight after the ceremony and ask one person from each side to help round everyone up. Your photographer should run it so you don't have to.
Family photos can feel like one of the most overwhelming parts of the day. You've got a lot of people in one place. Different personalities. Different dynamics. And sometimes not everyone gets along.
I get it. That was literally my wedding.
I'm Jack, a wedding photographer based in Penrith, and I photographed my first wedding back in 2008. Since then I've watched family photos go both ways. When they're left to chance, they drag on and people wander off. When there's a simple plan, they're quick, relaxed and done before anyone realises.
Here's how I keep them that way.
Why do wedding family photos feel so stressful?
Because there are lots of people, lots of opinions and not much time. Everyone wants to be included, nobody is sure where to stand and the couple end up playing referee on their own wedding day.
It doesn't have to be like that. Plan it a little and it can be one of the easiest parts of your day.
How to keep wedding family photos calm and quick
1. Keep your list simple
Aim for 10 to 15 groupings. Stick to the people who matter most. Every extra grouping adds time, and a shorter list means you get back to your guests sooner.
2. Start big, then work smaller
We begin with everyone, then work down to smaller groups. That way people can leave as they're done, and the grandparents aren't standing around waiting for their turn.
3. Choose a family wrangler
Ask one person from each side who knows everyone to help round people up. I don't know your family, so having someone who does saves me calling out names to a crowd of strangers.
4. Do family photos after the ceremony
After the ceremony works best because everyone is already there. There's no chasing people around the venue later, and nobody has disappeared to the bar.
5. Let your photographer run it
You shouldn't have to manage any of this. I'll run it, keep it moving and keep it calm.
Example wedding family photo list
You won't need all of these. Treat it as a starting point and we'll cut it down together to suit your day. Most couples land on 10 to 15.
Start big
Everyone at the wedding
All friends
All extended family
Partner 1 family
Couple with extended family
Couple with immediate family
Couple with grandparents
Partner 1 with grandparents
Couple with parents and siblings
Partner 1 with parents and siblings
Couple with siblings
Partner 1 with siblings
Couple with parents
Partner 1 with mum
Partner 1 with dad
Partner 2 family
Couple with extended family
Couple with immediate family
Couple with grandparents
Partner 2 with grandparents
Couple with parents and siblings
Partner 2 with parents and siblings
Couple with siblings
Partner 2 with siblings
Couple with parents
Partner 2 with mum
Partner 2 with dad
Combined
Couple with both sets of parents
How long do wedding family photos take?
About 15 to 20 minutes once you've got a plan. That covers a list of 10 to 15 groupings, shot straight after the ceremony with a family wrangler on each side. Without a plan it can stretch well beyond that, which is time you'd rather spend with your people.
What if you don't want family photos?
That's completely fine too. Plenty of couples skip them or keep them to a handful of close family.
If you'd rather not do them, I'll be your biggest advocate and take that conversation off your plate, even if it means standing up to mum and explaining why it's not happening.
What I do for my couples
I'll help you build the list, fit it into your timeline and pick the best spot for it, then run it on the day. You don't need to think about it. That's my job.
The goal is simple
Quick. Relaxed. Meaningful.
Then you're back with your people, champagne in hand, actually enjoying your day. And years from now, these will be some of the photos you come back to the most.
Wedding photographer in Sydney, the Hunter Valley and beyond
I'm based in Penrith and travel for weddings and elopements around Sydney, the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, the South Coast and the Canberra region. If you'd like family photos to feel easy on your day, get in touch here and tell me about your wedding.
FAQ
How long do wedding family photos take?
Around 15 to 20 minutes with a good plan. That means a list of 10 to 15 groupings, shot straight after the ceremony, with someone from each family helping to gather people.
How many family groupings should we have?
Aim for 10 to 15. Stick to the people who matter most. A shorter list keeps the photos quick and gets you back to your guests sooner.
When is the best time to take wedding family photos?
Right after the ceremony. Everyone is already together, so nobody needs to be chased down later in the day.
What is a family wrangler?
A family wrangler is one person per side who knows everyone and helps gather people for each grouping. It keeps things moving and means the couple don't have to organise anyone.
Do we have to do family photos at our wedding?
No. If you don't want them, that's completely fine. Your photographer can handle that conversation with family so you don't have to.
Does the photographer help plan the family photo list?
Yes. I help couples build the list, plan it into the timeline, choose the best location and run it on the day.
