Let’s Talk About Wedding Group Photos
Because yes, they matter. And no, they don’t need to drag on.
Wedding group photos are one of the biggest sources of anxiety for couples when planning their wedding photography. Will they take forever? Will people disappear? Will it feel awkward and forced? Will Uncle Steve wander off to the bar halfway through?
The good news: when they’re planned properly, group photos can be calm, quick and even – dare I say it – enjoyable.
After years of photographing weddings (and before that, bands, magazine covers and editorial shoots), I’ve learned that it’s never taking the photos that’s the challenge. It’s getting the people into them.
Especially camera-shy Brits who grew up being told not to show off.
DO WE EVEN NEED WEDDING GROUP PHOTOS?
Now I totally understand, NOBODY wakes up on a wedding day thinking “I cannot wait for the group photos. You don’t, your guests don’t, and I don’t – they can be the most challenging part of the day for photographers. But as someone who has had their 20-year wedding anniversary now, I promise you, the groups are the photos that we treasure the most and the groups are the photos that our children love to see the most. They do not care what we had on our tables and they really do not want to see photos of their parents kissing, but they are endlessly fascinated by the wedding group photos. So I am a big advocate for wedding group photos, but I get why they have a bad rep.
My Dragon’s Den Idea – If Anyone’s Asking
If I ever go on Dragon’s Den, my pitch will be this:
A pack of highly trained sheepdogs for wedding photographers.
They round people up.
They fetch a stray auntie from the loos.
They gently steer Uncles away from the bar.
Until then, a good plan – and a loud, organised sibling – works just fine.
If group photos are something you’re worrying about, let me reassure you: they don’t have to be painful. With the right approach, they’re quick, calm, and sometimes even the most fun part of the day.
And yes – we’ll still get you to the drinks on time.
Felicia + Garrett | Allerton Castle Wedding
My Approach to Group Photos
I treat group photos like a well-run production, not a free-for-all. That means structure where it’s needed – and freedom where it makes sense.
Family Group Photos: Get Them Done, Get Them Done Well
For family groups, preparation is everything.
Before your wedding, I’ll ask you to create a short, clear list of the family combinations that matter most to you. This does two important things:
It makes sure nobody important is missed
It avoids awkward combinations of people who… let’s just say… don’t need to be standing next to each other
I always recommend doing family group photos as soon after the ceremony as possible, before guests start drifting off, heading to the bar or disappearing to “just nip to the loo” for twenty minutes.
We move quickly, I keep things light, and once those photos are done, everyone can relax knowing the formalities are ticked off.
Bases covered. Stress removed.
If you’ve got a wedding party – your closest people – this is where things get more creative.
I come from a background photographing bands and magazine covers, so I’ve always loved this part of a wedding day. I take a lot of inspiration from music and fashion photography, where group shots feel intentional rather than stiff.
For Felicia and Garrett’s group photos, we deliberately referenced Vanity Fair Cover-style group portraits, the kind Annie Leibovitz is famous for. We did the classic, beautifully composed shots early on – but that didn’t mean we were finished.
Later in the day at a wedding, we can loosen things up.
Different combinations. Less symmetry. More personality. Like you and your besties doing a round of shots at the bar. Because group photos don’t all have to look the same and they don’t all have to happen at the same time. There are often multiple opportunities for group photos across a wedding day. Like the image below taken at groom prep by my talented second photographer that day, Mirlah Richardson.
TIPS FOR EASY WEDDING GROUP PHOTOS
Keep it short and intentional. Immediate family first. No endless variations. Start with one side of the family and make a logical order where the same people stay in rather than going in and out as this saves time.
This is when everyone is present and paying attention. They haven’t had time to wander off and they often start taking theor own group photos anyway.
A sibling, close friend or wedding party member who knows everyone and isn’t afraid to shout names. This lets your photographer focus on taking the photos, not herding the kittens.
I will happily take all the combinations that you need, the most I’ve ever done is 45 but bear in mind the time. It can take up to five minutes per combination and that soon starts mounting up. A good rule is to think, will I actually print this one out?
These are your closest people. Give your photographer a few extra minutes to do something a bit different. Something more stylish than just another line-up as these can look very impactful in all your carefully chosen outfits.
If you’re relaxed and smiling in the photos, everyone else will be too. If you are stressed about them and worried about how long they are taking because you didn’t appoint a helper then that will affect everyone else too.
