[vc_row][vc_column][dt_fancy_title title=”Info, Tips, Advice, Suggestions” title_size=”h2″ title_color=”accent” separator_color=”accent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Wedding Group Photos can be a touchy subject. Nobody likes a shouty photographer or waiting ages for the formal photographs to be over to begin partying. Here’s some information, suggestions and tips when it comes to Group Pictures and Family Formals.
Wedding Group Photos – What are they?
Group photos or Family Formals, are pictures taken of pre-defined groups of people, centred around their relationship with the Bride & Groom.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
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How long do they take?
I tend to suggest limiting family formals to around 20-minutes. Prior to your wedding day I work with you to produce the list of must have group pictures that can easily be completed in that time.
Are Group Photos important?
Personally, I think they’re the type of picture that becomes more important over time. As children grow and the old’s become even older, a good group picture becomes more enjoyable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
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How I approach Family Formals?
Initially I’ll use Ushers or Bridesmaids to help gather all guests together for a large group photo of everyone. From there, guests that aren’t in any of the other pictures can go back to relaxing and enjoying the day. Not having to hunt for missing guests saves a lot of time.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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The best time for Group Pictures
The most popular time to have group pictures is somewhere between ‘after the ceremony’ but before the ‘wedding meal’. However, every wedding is different and there are no rules to how a wedding day runs.
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The best place for Family Formals
My personal preference for group pictures is outside and where the wedding reception is being held. That way guests have relaxed a little after the ceremony and can get refreshed with a glass of something cold.
Tricky Combinations
Occasionally there may be some guest combinations for group pictures that are a little sensitive. There’s an area on your pre-wedding questionnaire where you can let me know of anything that might cause fireworks.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Wet weather alternatives
If weather is so bad that there is no chance of taking group pictures outside, then indoors is usually the only option. It might mean some of the large group photos can’t be taken. However, it means that I can pull out my fancy studio lights and make the family formals look stunning.
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What happens if you don’t want family formals
There are no rules to how a wedding day runs and if you don’t want family formals, that’s absolutely fine.
A suggestion though. If any of your guests are budding photographers, it might be worth letting them know you’re not having any family formals. Just in case they think you’ve picked a photographer that doesn’t know what they’re doing and start to arrange group pictures themselves.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]