Family Portraits are an important part of the wedding day. I try to do the family portraits just before or just after the ceremony so that all the family members will be present and camera ready. (I let me couples choose depending on if they are doing a first look and if their family runs on time or late.) During this time, I will photograph the couple’s immediate family members: grandparents, parents, siblings, nieces/nephews. And any other family members that are extra important (like an aunt who was like a second mother). I will get as many family portraits as the couple wants, but we will save the other ones for the reception.
My wedding timelines will generally give about 30 minutes in the wedding day for family portraits. We have a point person for each family to gather everyone we need for photographs. Then, my second shooter will help organize and call out the groupings while I take the photos of the family. Your family size and the number of smaller children will determine the number of groupings and variations you can have. I usually photograph 3 – 4 large family groupings and then 4 – 5 smaller family groupings each wedding. (And photos with mom and dad, of course!) As always, talk to your photographer to determine what is best for your wedding day!
And for those of you who have a more complicated family mix: Don’t worry, you are in good company! My parents divorced when I was young and I have two half sisters. So, I understand how complicate family groupings can be. Just be sure to continue on down for more grouping combinations that will fit your mixed family.
Family Portrait Groupings – Parents Married
Couple Together
- Couple Immediate Family (Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Bride’s Immediate Family
- Groom’s Immediate Family
- Couple’s Grandparents
- Couple’s Parents
- Couple’s Siblings
- Couple’s Children
Bride with Family
- Bride with Immediate Family (Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Bride with Grandparents
- Bride with Parents
- Bride with Mom
- Bride with Dad
- Bride with Parents & Siblings
- Bride with Siblings
- Bride with Sisters
- Bride with Brothers
- Bride with Children
Groom with Family
- Groom with Immediate Family (Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Groom with Grandparents
- Groom with Parents
- Groom with Mom
- Groom with Dad
- Groom with Parents & Siblings
- Groom with Siblings
- Groom with Sisters
- Groom with Brothers
- Groom with Children
Family Portrait Groupings – Parents Separated
In addition to the grouping above, you can add on any of the below examples based on your mixed family. If your parents are not on the best terms, you may want to discuss how comfortable they are being in pictures together. You know your family situation the best, so use this list as a jumping off point and make it work for your family.
Couple Together
- Couple Immediate Family and Step Parents (Grandparents, Parents, Step Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Couple Parents & Step Parents
- Couple Siblings & Step Siblings
Bride with Family
- Bride with Immediate Family and Step Parents (Grandparents, Parents, Step Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Bride with Mom, Step Dad, Siblings, Step Siblings
- Bride with Mom, Mom’s Children
- Bride with Dad, Step Mom, Siblings, Step Siblings
- Bride with Dad, Dad’s Children
Groom with Family
- Groom with Immediate Family and Step Parents (Grandparents, Parents, Step Parents, Siblings, Nieces & Nephews)
- Groom with Mom, Step Dad, Siblings, Step Siblings
- Groom with Mom, Mom’s Children
- Groom with Dad, Step Mom, Siblings, Step Siblings
- Groom with Dad, Dad’s Children
Other Family and Alternative Groupings
Ok, here is the thing. Sometimes your family members are not part of your day or were not a big part of your life growing up. Or maybe you are blessed with people outside of your immediate family who are a big influence in your life. Maybe you have an ‘adoptive’ family or a chosen family. And you definitely want pictures with them as well. I get it. My rule of thumb is to use the ‘family portraits’ portion of the day to get the pictures you would ‘hang on your mantel’. (Or, in Arizona, hang above your stairs or in your hall.) Save the other groupings for the reception. (You know, the one grandma wants with alllllll the grandkids. Or the “all the Smiths” family reunion photo.)
It is hard to create a list of these types of groupings, but you know who these important people are in your life. If you are not sure how to put these groupings together, ask your photographer! They will be more than happy to help you coordinate your family groupings. We have more experience with this than you think!
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