My professional opinions and suggestions:

The best time for family formals is right after the ceremony

• Everybody’s already in one spot.

• They'll be ready! Dressed, boutonnieres pinned, hair done, jewelry on.

• Family members in wheelchairs will already be present.

• You'll be more relaxed because the ceremony is over! Relaxed people look much happier in photos!

• If after the ceremony isn’t an option, the next best time is right before the ceremony. Whatever time allows!

Make a list

• It's best to keep your list to no more than 15 different groups of people. Fewer groups = less time and less stress for you and your fam!

• Try to have grandparents’ photos earlier in the list so they can finish sooner.

• Tell your photographer about relevant family dynamics. (e.g. divorced parents who don’t want to be in photos together. etc.) Make a written note of this on the list you give your photographer, so it doesn’t get forgotten or overlooked.

• Write down the name AND relationship to the couple so the photographer knows how to pose everyone. Instead of “Natalie +John + John’s parents”, write something like: “Natalie +John + John’s parents (Kathy + Greg)

Here's an example of a basic list of less than 10 groups to get you started:

1. Bride & Groom with family from both sides, including the couple's kids, parents, grandparents, siblings, siblings' partners and siblings' kids.

2. Bride & Groom with bride's grandparents

3. Bride & Groom with groom's grandparents

4. Bride & Groom with bride's parents and siblings

5. Bride & Groom with bride's parents

6. Bride & Groom with bride's siblings

7. Bride & Groom with groom's parents and siblings

8. Bride & Groom with groom's parents

9. Bride & Groom with groom's siblings

• I encourage my couples to get the other photographs that are important (like bride + mom or groom + dad) right after the “getting ready” portion of the day, so that it cuts down on time needed after the ceremony.

  If you're tempted to list a bazillion different combos, consider these questions:

1. "Would I ever frame this photo for myself or as a gift?" If the answer is no, don't feel pressured to include that particular grouping in the list.

2. “Are the people in this group included in another photo?” If the answer is yes, will the other photo suffice or does this extra photo have a special purpose?

Tell people they're on the list BEFORE the wedding day

• We don’t want to waste time wrangling people who wandered to cocktail hour.

• Even if you think it’s obvious that certain people will be in your family photos, tell them anyway. Some people might feel awkward assuming you want photos with them. (e.g. significant others of siblings or your parent’s new partner, etc.)

REMIND them they’ll be needed for photos

• The day before and the day of, have someone tell them again about the TIME AND LOCATION of family photos.

• Ask your officiant to make an announcement about family photos immediately following the ceremony.

• In the announcement, also have the officiant invite those who aren’t in family photos to head to cocktail hour. The only people who should stay are the people you want in the photos. The less distractions, the quicker it’ll be!

Choose a list reader

• Both the bride and groom should each pick another person familiar with the family to read off the names. Someone else can help gather them together for each photo.

• If they're available, the coordinator can help, but they don't know what all your family members look like. Or how to pronounce their names.

Budget 3 minutes per group

• The suggested list above usually takes about 30 minutes.

• Not every single group is going to take 3 minutes. But there are plenty that will take even longer.

Prepare to say "yes, later!" to other guests who want photos

• I highly recommend holding off on taking photos with aunts/uncles/cousins/friends until the reception.

• The more people/groups you take photos with during the formal portrait time, the longer it'll take.

• During this time, you don't want to get stuck taking pictures with every single cousin or auntie who asks you to. That would would significantly cut into the time for other photos you really want (like photos of the wedding party and of you and your new spouse!)

• You're going to want to get the party started as soon as possible!

• If people who aren't on the list ask for photos with you, let them know you need to get through the list. Tell them you'll have plenty of time to take photos with them later, when you're not rushed. If you feel awkward doing that, blame your photographer! ;)