How to Plan Your Wedding Family Photos

May 15, 2025

Family photos might not be the most exciting part of the wedding day—but trust me, they’re some of the most meaningful. These are the people who raised you, supported you, and are cheering you on as you start this new chapter together. 💛

Family Photo Guide for Your Wedding Day

Family photos might not be the most exciting part of the wedding day—but trust me, they’re some of the most meaningful. These are the people who raised you, supported you, and are cheering you on as you start this new chapter together. 💛

That said, family photos can also get a little hectic without a plan (cue the missing uncle or the cousin who went to the bar early 😅). Don’t worry—I’ve got you! With a little prep, this part of the day can be quick, smooth, and even fun.

Here’s everything you need to know to keep your family wedding photos organized and stress-free—from creating your shot list to wrangling the right people at the right time.

How to Keep Wedding Family Photos Organized and Easy

Family photos are a must on your big day—but without a plan, they can take way longer than you expect! Each group photo takes about 2–3 minutes, so the more groups you add, the more time it will take.

Here’s how to keep things smooth and stress-free:

📸 Take Immediate Family Photos Right After the Ceremony

I suggest doing only the most important family photos—parents, siblings, grandparents—right after the ceremony. That way, everyone’s still nearby and easy to find. We can always get photos with aunts, uncles, and cousins later during the reception when everyone’s more relaxed.

👋 Assign Two “Photo Helpers”

Pick one helper from each side of the family—someone who knows everyone and can call people over quickly. Think: a bridesmaid with a strong voice or a cousin who’s good at organizing. Bonus points if they can bring the “teacher voice”!

Give them printed copies of your family photo list (I can print these for you, or you can do it yourself). If I have an assistant on your wedding day, they’ll help line people up too.

How to Plan Your Wedding Family Photos
Bride and groom with siblings during the family portraits

📝 Make Your Family Photo List Before the Wedding

Try to make this list 1–2 months before the big day, once your guest list is final. Send it to me (your photographer!) as soon as it’s ready so I can make sure we have enough time on your timeline to fit it all in.

List each group clearly and use first names to help us move faster.
Example: Bride and groom with bride’s parents and siblings (Mark, Jennifer, Chelsea, and Nick)..

Extended family grouped together outdoors, smiling for a portrait”

📱 Let Your Family Know Ahead of Time

Tell your family before the wedding when and where the photos will happen. If we’re doing them right after the ceremony, have your parents or someone from each side send a group text a few days before. Trust me—it’ll save time and prevent confusion!

Here’s a message you can copy and send:

“Hi [Name],
We’re so excited to see you soon!
Right after the ceremony, we’ll be taking some quick family photos. Please stay close by—we’ll do them right at the ceremony site. We want to get to cocktail hour as soon as possible, so the quicker we all show up, the quicker we can party!
Love, [Your Name]”

🕺 Want Group Photos with Friends Too?

Great idea! Photos with your college crew, coworkers, or family friends are best taken right after dinner—before the dance floor opens.

Just make a list of any “friend groups” you want photos with. Send the list to your DJ, photographer (me!), and planner (if you have one). The DJ can call each group to the dance floor, and I’ll have my lights set and ready.

Pro tip: Make sure you and your partner are both present before we start!

 Want Group Photos with Friends Too?

⏰ When Should We Take Family Photos?

The best times are:

  • After the ceremony (while everyone’s still nearby)
  • Before the ceremony (if you’re doing a first look)

Missed anyone? No worries! We can catch up during the reception.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Should Be in Formal Family Photos?

Usually:

  • You two (the couple)
  • Your parents
  • Grandparents
  • Siblings (plus their partners and kids)

If you want extended family (like aunts, uncles, and cousins), let’s add them too—just keep in mind it’ll take a little more time.

Say Cheese! A Stress-Free Guide to Family Wedding Photos

🕒 How Long Does It All Take?

Add extended family: Plan for about 10 extra minutes

Immediate family only: About 20–30 minutes

📍Should We Do Family Photos at the Church or Reception Venue?

If you’re getting married in a church, it’s super easy to do the family formals right after the ceremony—everyone’s already there. If we wait until the reception venue, people tend to wander off (bathroom breaks, parking, etc.), and it can slow things down.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Should Be in Formal Family Photos?

Usually:

  • You two (the couple)
  • Your parents
  • Grandparents
  • Siblings (plus their partners and kids)

If you want extended family (like aunts, uncles, and cousins), let’s add them too—just keep in mind it’ll take a little more time.

The Smart Way to Handle Wedding Day Family Portraits

💛 Sample Family Photo List

(Use this as a guide to help plan your groupings — you can add, remove, or tweak it to fit your family!)

👶 Children First

If you have little ones or elderly grandparents, start with these so they don’t have to wait too long.
☐ B+G → flower girls + ring bearers (can also be with the whole wedding party) 
☐ B → flower girls 
☐ B →  ring bearers 
☐ G → flower girls 
☐ G →  ring bearers

👰 Bride’s Family Photos

☐ B+G → mother + father 
☐ B+G → mother + father +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings + their children
☐ B → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings + their children
☐ B → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings 
☐ B → mother + father + grandparents + siblings 
☐ B → mother + father + grandparents 
☐ B → grandparents  (each set of grandparents,  each grandma, each grandpa)
☐ B → mother + father
☐ B → mother 
☐ B → father
☐ B+G → all groom’s siblings
☐ B → all siblings
☐ B → each of the siblings
☐ B → both moms
☐ B → mother in law
☐ B → both dads
☐ B → father in law

🤵 Groom’s Family Photos

BIG FAMILY GROUPINGS  (If there is little children or grandparents start with them first)
☐ B+G → mother + father 
☐ B+G → mother + father +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings 
☐ B+G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings + their children
☐ B+G → all groom’s siblings
☐ G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings + their childre
☐ G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings 
☐ G → mother + father + grandparents + siblings 
☐ G → mother + father + grandparents 
☐ G → grandparents  (each set of grandparents,  each grandma, each grandpa)
☐ G → mother + father
☐ G → mother 
☐ G → father
☐ G → all siblings
☐ G → each of the siblings
☐ G → both moms
☐ G → mother in law
☐ G → both dads
☐ G → father in law

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Both Families Together

☐ B+G → mothers + fathers 
☐ B+G → mothers + fathers +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mothers + fathers +  siblings 
☐ B+G → mothers + fathers + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings 
☐ B+G → mothers + fathers + grandparents + siblings + significant others of siblings + their children
☐ B+G → all cousins

Family Photo Guide for Your Wedding Day

🌟 Extra Group Photo Ideas

These can be done during cocktail hour or right before/after dancing starts:

☐ B or G → with their pet(s)
☐ All cousins together
☐ Work friends
☐ Neighborhood friends
☐ Extended family
☐ Guests who traveled from out of town
☐ College/high school friends

Need help building your list or printing it out? Just let me know – I’m here to help make this part of your day easy and fun!

How to Plan Your Wedding Family Photos

Ready to plan your big day here? Contact me, Bozena, and let’s capture unforgettable romantic wedding photography!

Check Out Other Amazing Chicago Wedding Venues:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

share this post

Like what you see?

Let's work together!

contact me for more details

Follow me

Est. 2013 | © 2024 Bozena Voytko Photography
Chicago + Suburbs + Illinois + Wisconsin

Est. 2013 | © 2024 Bozena Voytko Photography  |  Chicago + Suburbs + Illinois + Wisconsin

Wedding & branding Photographer in Chicago, IL   

WEDDINGS

Blog

Links

Branding

Contact

My challenge is to create the most beautiful and significant images of you and your loved ones and not only fulfill your expectations but exceed them… your challenge is to resist!

hello@bozenavoytko.com 

(773) 289-8820

home

Write us a review... 

Bozena Voytko Photography is a fine art photographer based in Chicago IL and serving clients from the surrounding areas

Portraits

marriage proposals

Weddings,  headshots &  brand photography.

vendors

press

reviews

xo, Bozena

timeline

families

FAQ's

Privacy policy

Created with Showit

photo + cinema

BOZENA   VOYTKO