Planning the Family Photos

If you want to go the more traditional route and forego the first look (which allows you to go straight to your reception), you are still going to need to allow for time for your family photos after the ceremony but before the reception.

As an Asheville Wedding Photographer I have some guidelines to help when it comes to planning the family photos after your ceremony but before your reception.

For family formals, you will need 30 to 45 minutes depending on your family size. This should accommodate a standard family with each of your two parents, the grandparents, four siblings and their spouses as well as their children. If you have a larger family or would like to include Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc. when planning the family photos, I would suggest no less than an hour of photo time.
You will need a half hour for bride and groom portraits and 30 to 45 minutes for your bridal party pictures, depending on the number of people in your party. This time should allow for a standard bridal party of up to 10 people.
If you are taking photos off location, you will have to gather everything together and transport it. It is a good idea to designate a friend or someone who is not going to be in photos to do this for you to save time. And creating a checklist for said person will be a lifesaver – I promise.
Keep in mind when you’re planning the family photos that it is super hard to keep family, friends, and bridal party members together and all in one place after the ceremony, especially if it is a large party. For that reason, you need to allot some extra bubble time in case someone goes missing. Another way to save time is to let those who you want to participate in family photos after the ceremony know in their invitation or via a special note at your rehearsal dinner so that they are aware that they are not to go missing.

If you have any questions about any of this, please let me know! I’d love to help!

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