I often get asked if I do wedding photos the answer is absolutely yes.

Group photos have a bad reputation. Everyone has a story about standing in a line for forty five minutes while an uncle goes missing and the kids melt down.

The thing is, wedding group photos are important. They are the ones that end up in frames on grandparents’ mantelpieces and in albums for years. The problem is not the photos. The problem is the list.

As a North West wedding photographer, I am all about relaxed, natural, non boring wedding photos. That absolutely includes the family photos. This guide gives you an essential wedding group photos list that will not bore you to tears, and shows you how to get through them quickly so you can get back to the party.

What wedding group photos are actually for

Before we write the list, it helps to know what these photos are meant to do.

Group photos are:

• A record of your closest people on the day
• A way to include family who prefer traditional photos
• A backup for the future when you want to see who was there

Group photos are not:

• A chance to photograph every guest in every possible combination
• A military parade
• The main focus of your wedding photography

Most of my couples book me for relaxed, documentary style wedding photography. That means the day is about real moments, with a short burst of organised photos so you keep everyone happy.

How many wedding group photos do you actually need

Here comes the bit where I push back a little.

You do not need thirty five group combinations. You really do not. If you try it, your drinks reception disappears and your smile starts to look like a grimace.

A realistic number for an essential wedding group photos list is:

• Around eight to ten core group photos
• A couple of extra combinations if you really need them

Each group takes about two to three minutes if everyone is nearby. Ten group photos is roughly twenty to thirty minutes. That is totally manageable and will not bore you or your guests to tears. You can have a look at my guide to wedding photography here.

The essential wedding group photos list

You can tweak this for your family set up, but here is a solid starting point that works for most couples.

1. Couple with each set of parents

• Partner one with parents
• Partner two with parents
• Both of you with both sets of parents

2. Couple with immediate family

• Couple with partner one’s immediate family
• Couple with partner two’s immediate family

Immediate family usually means parents, siblings and their partners, plus any children. If you have big families, you can decide whether to keep partners and kids in or not. The key is to be clear in advance.

3. Couple with both families together

• Couple with both families together, all parents and siblings

This one looks great in an album and saves you creating endless variations later.

4. Couple with wedding party

• Couple with full wedding party
• Couple with each side of the wedding party if you like

This covers bridesmaids, groomsmen or whatever shape your team takes. If you have a massive wedding party, you might want a fun, relaxed version as well as a quick tidy one.

5. Couple with grandparents

• Couple with each set of grandparents

If you have grandparents at the wedding, they often really value these photos. We keep these ones close to chairs or shade so they are easy and comfortable.

That list alone gives you a strong set of family photos without overdoing it.

Optional extras if you really need them

If you want to go beyond the essential wedding group photos list, add one or two of these, not all of them.

• Couple with siblings only
• Couple with close aunties, uncles or godparents
• Couple with university or school friends
• Couple with work friends or a specific friendship group

Be honest with yourselves. Ask, will I care about this in ten years, or am I adding it because I feel guilty leaving anyone out. You are allowed to keep it simple.

How to stop group photos taking forever

The list is only half the story. The way you run group photos on the day matters just as much.

1. Do them during the drinks reception

The drinks reception is usually the best time for group photos. People are together, the light is decent, and you have some breathing space before the meal.

Trying to do everything at night while people are dancing and the DJ is going full volume is… not ideal.

2. Choose a clear location

Pick somewhere:

• Close to the bar so people are easy to find
• With enough space for your biggest group
• With decent light, preferably open shade rather than harsh direct sun

You do not need a grand staircase or a fountain. A simple background where everyone can stand comfortably is much more important.

3. Nominate a helper

This is the secret weapon.

Choose one person from each side who knows who people are and is not afraid to shout a little. Give them the group photos list and let them help round people up while I set up the shots.

That way I am not yelling names of people I have never met, and you are not left standing there while someone goes on a mission to find a missing cousin.

4. Keep drinks and phones out of shot

It is a small thing, but it makes a big difference.

Before each group photo, I will usually ask people to put drinks down and pop phones in pockets. It takes five seconds and stops your formal photos being full of glasses, bags and random clutter.

Handling family politics without chaos

Group photos are where family politics sometimes show up. You might have separated parents, new partners or tricky relationships.

Here is the rule. Your list should reflect what you are comfortable with, not what you think other people expect.

If you have separated parents who cannot stand near each other, we can do separate photos. If you want to include step parents or partners, we make sure the list reflects that clearly.

Talk to your photographer about it in advance. I would rather know the story before the day than find out in front of everyone when someone refuses to stand in a certain spot.

Copy and paste wedding group photos list

Here is a simple list you can literally copy into an email and tweak.

1. Couple with partner one’s parents
2. Couple with partner two’s parents
3. Couple with both sets of parents
4. Couple with partner one’s immediate family
5. Couple with partner two’s immediate family
6. Couple with both immediate families together
7. Couple with wedding party
8. Couple with grandparents
9. Couple with close friends group one
10. Couple with close friends group two

Trim the friends groups if you want to keep timing closer to twenty minutes. You can always get relaxed photos with friends on the dance floor later.

My approach to wedding group photos

Because my style is 99 percent unposed and documentary, I want group photos to be quick, relaxed and painless.

Here is how I normally run them.

• You fill out your wedding prep form, we discuss them and agree everything
• I recommend the best time and place at your venue
• You nominate a helper on each side to round people up
• We work through the list with clear direction and a bit of humour
• You are back with your guests within twenty to thirty minutes

You still get all the important family combinations, plus a full gallery of non boring candid photos from the rest of the day.

If you are planning your wedding and want relaxed, natural photos with group shots that do not drag, I would love to chat. Visit Andy Griffiths Photography to see full wedding stories, then head to the contact page to tell me all about your plans.

FAQs about wedding group photos

How many wedding group photos should we have

A good number is around eight to ten group photos. That covers immediate families, wedding party and grandparents without eating your entire drinks reception.

How long do wedding group photos take

If everyone is nearby and we have a clear list, each group takes around two to three minutes. Ten group photos is roughly twenty to thirty minutes.

Should we send our group photos list to the photographer

Yes. Send your list before the day so your photographer can suggest tweaks and plan the best time and place. On the day itself you can relax instead of trying to remember who you wanted in each group.

Can we skip group photos completely

You can, it is your day, but most couples are glad they did at least a handful of family photos. Future you might really value a simple group shot with parents or grandparents.

What if our families are complicated

That is very common. Talk to your photographer about it beforehand. We can plan separate combinations and a running order that keeps everyone comfortable without drawing attention to any particular situation.

Looking to enjoy your wedding and still do a small amount of group photos? Contact me to chat about your plans. Alternatively get in touch with me via instagram