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Family Formals: How to Make Them Stress-Free on Your Wedding Day
If we’re being honest, family formals are one of the trickiest parts of a wedding day. They usually happen right after the ceremony, when guests are ready for a glass of champagne, a canapé, and a good chat. Instead, they’re being asked to stay in place for photographs. Cue the chaos: brides feeling flustered, grooms getting impatient, and relatives disappearing (often spotted moments later with a bubbly in hand!).
But here’s the good news—family formals don’t have to be stressful. With the right planning, they can be quick, smooth, and even enjoyable. In fact, they’re one of the easiest parts of the day to make stress-free—if you get organised ahead of time.
Why Family Formals Matter
Family formals are your chance to capture timeless images with the people who mean the most to you—parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family. These aren’t just posed photos for the album; they’re family heirlooms in the making. Long after the wedding flowers have faded and the cake has been eaten, these portraits will be cherished for generations.
That’s why it’s worth investing a little time and thought into how they’re organised.
The Secret to Stress-Free Family Formals: Organisation
Family formals are almost always done immediately after the ceremony. This is when everyone is already gathered, dressed to the nines, and (ideally) still in one place. But this short window can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare if you don’t have a plan.
Here’s how we keep things efficient and calm:
Step 1: Create Two Detailed Lists
Write down every combination of family photos you want—one list for your side, one for your partner’s. Be as specific as possible.
For example:
- “Bride with parents” is fine, but “Bride with Mum and Dad (John and Lisa)” is even better.
- “Couple with grandparents” becomes “Couple with Grandma Margaret and Grandpa Ted.”
The more detail, the less time spent figuring out who’s who on the day.
Step 2: Nominate Two ‘Bossy’ Helpers
This step is an absolute game-changer. Give each list to a confident, organised, and assertive guest—one from each side of the family. Their job? Gather the right people for each shot, in the right order, as quickly as possible.
Why is this important? As photographers, we don’t know who “Auntie Mary” is—and if she’s wandered off to the bar with Uncle Bob, it could take us five minutes just to track her down. Meanwhile, that’s five minutes less for couple portraits or candid moments.
With designated helpers who know the family, we can keep the process moving and make sure no one gets missed.
Choosing the Perfect Location for Family Formals
Your photo location can make or break this part of the day. We recommend keeping it:
Close to the ceremony site – This stops guests from disappearing before the photos are done.
In the shade – Harsh Aussie sunlight can cause squinting, unflattering shadows, and plenty of sweating—especially in summer. Shade creates softer, more flattering light and keeps everyone comfortable, including little ones and elderly guests.
Deciding Which Combinations to Include
The best way to approach this is to work from most important to least important:
- Grandparents first – especially if they have limited mobility.
- Young children next – toddlers are adorable but their attention span is short!
- Keep it to around 10 key combinations – this keeps things moving and ensures you still have time for couple portraits and mingling with guests.
- Put any “nice-to-have” combos at the end, or plan to do them later during the reception.
Some family shots can even be taken earlier in the day during the “getting ready” stage, especially if immediate family is already with you.
Recommended Family Photo List
This is our go-to starting point for family formals. You can adapt it to suit your own family structure.
Couple with Bride’s Grandparents
Couple with Groom’s Grandparents
Couple with Bride’s Immediate Family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
Couple with Groom’s Immediate Family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
Couple with Bride’s Parents
Couple with Groom’s Parents
Couple with Both Sets of Parents
Bride with Parents and Siblings
Bride with Parents
Bride with Mum
Bride with Dad
Bride with Each Sibling
Groom with Parents and Siblings
Groom with Parents
Groom with Mum
Groom with Dad
Groom with Each Sibling