For your guests, this may be the part they dread - but with a little careful planning (and a skilled photographer) there's no need.
After photographing thousands of formals - I've learned many tips that might help you plan for this part of the day. Here's my advice for successful groups:
1. Make a list
There are two ways to coordinate your groups - you can make a list in advance or you can put them together on the day.
If you’re care-free about formal groups - then calling them forth on the day is fine. BUT - if you really have ‘must have’ groups of specific family members and you don’t want to forget anyone - make a list in advance - it’s one less thing on your mind and you’re far more likely to remember everyone. And if you forget someone important on the list - don’t worry, your photographer will tactfully know what to do to rescue this on the day.
2. A dozen or fewer are ideal
Each group takes time to assemble... and after half an hour, even the most dedicated wedding guest can be flagging. A dozen groups is an ideal number, to cover all the important combinations, and still keep everyone on-board.
No-one wants the reception to turn into one big group photo shoot - plus this number allows a little more time to make each shot a bit more creative - fewer, but more special.
3. Highlight the priorities
If you have some 'must have' groups - highlight these with your photographer in advance, to be taken first, then, on the day if you decide to cut the groups short (which happens quite often) or the weather cuts them short (also happens quite often) - you've got all the priorities safely done.
Also if there are elderly family members or people who might not be able to stand for half an hour - let your photographer know - and these can go to the beginning of the list too. The same goes for small kiddos, who may welcome being photographed first, then they can run free…
4. Think about the style
There's groups and then there's groups...
Look at the images on this page - they're all groups but they're all different. And the scope for variety is huge - formal/informal, standing/sitting, in close/out wide to include the scenery.
It's great to vary the style of the groups to reflect the personalities in them - so tip your photographer off in advance, if there's potential for those personalities to shine.
5. Go for easy groups to assemble
For example, by family name “all the smiths” or 'all school friends' or 'all the stags/hens'. Much simpler than trying to call out a long list of names.
6. Allocate sufficient time
Chat to your photographer about the appropriate time for group photographs. Some venues will advise a set time for formal photographs, but this can vary considerably with each photographer's approach. Also - balance the time for group formals with bride and groom portraits.And remember - that precious window of time after the ceremony… when you plan for photographs to be taken possibly also needs time for guests to give their congratulations, for drinks and canapés to circulate and possibly for you to take 5 and gather yourself before photographs begin.
7. Keep everyone comfortable
In summer your guests risk getting too hot in the sun, and in winter - it'll be cold waiting around. So again fewer groups really are better. Also consider that some groups might lend themselves to being taken later in the day - when everyone's relaxed, after a few drinks.
But the evening is usually a case of - go for it and see who and what we can get - a time to get some fun additions to the day, rather than the time to get those precious 'must have' group shots (see 3 above).
8. Test your photographer
This can be where your photographer has the most contact with your guests. It takes good people skills, careful organisation and an eye for detail for a photographer to get the groups right - so if you're meeting and comparing potential photographers - it's always a good question to ask - how they approach this part of the day?
9. You decide
If you'd rather not have any posed photographs - let your photographer know and just go for what you're comfortable with. BUT, remember - although those family groups may not be your cup of tea… your wider family might really cherish them, so it’s worth striking a balance.
It’s your day, and you can have anything you wish… but this list of tips might just help prevent treasured family memories turning into an ordeal… Oh - and my last thoughts…
Don’t let the boys go off on their own - I clearly have no control !
And don’t let the girls be in charge of the smoke bombs (crying happy tears and worrying if my insurance covers this emoji)…
10. Have fun!
About: I'm Duncan Ireland, a wedding photographer based in Scotland, covering the UK and the World : www.duncanirelandphotography.com
