Creating a photo list for your wedding is absolutely essential to having a successful wedding day.  Family photos can easily become chaotic and cause delays in your timeline without a plan.  By creating a list, you make your day go more smoothly, take stress off of your photographer and other vendors, and ensure that you set aside enough time in your day for photos.

So here it is.  A step-by-step guide on how to create your wedding photo list!

1. Set aside enough time for group photos. Ideally, you want at least 1.5 hours for group photos after your ceremony. Half an hour for family, half an hour for bridal party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.), and half an hour for photos of you as a couple – in that order!

This is usually done during cocktail hour, or before the ceremony if you have decided to have a first look with your partner and have your family and bridal party present.

Make sure to take into account any travel time between venues, and if you want time to relax before starting your reception when fitting group photos into your master timeline.

1. Create a list of family members or close friends from each partner that you want to have in photos. Start with the largest group of people, such as immediate family mixed with aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. Slowly remove family members as you get to the smallest grouping of people. As guests are finished with their photos, they can join cocktail hour.
2. Decide which group will go first. If guests have mobility issues or children, they should go first.
3. Share your photo list with your photographer, videographer and of course, your planner or coordinator. They will be able to help wrangle guests together, and call out names to help it run smoothly.
4. Let your family and friends know if they will be included in photos. This is a big one, and often forgotten! Lots of time can be wasted when trying to track down missing family members who have joined cocktail hour prematurely, or trying to herd guests to cocktail hour that are not part of photos.

Here’s a Sample Photo List:

Jenna’s Family

1. Jenna & Ryan with Cathy & Dave (parents), Nick Lucy Lily & Jack (brother, wife & kids), Grandma Rose, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Frank, Cousins Fred, Rob, Jake, Margot
2. Jenna & Ryan with Cathy & Dave, Nick Lucy Lily & Jack, Grandma Rose, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Frank
3. Jenna & Ryan with Cathy & Dave, Nick, Lucy Lily & Jack, Grandma Rose
4. Jenna & Ryan with Cathy, Dave, Nick
5. Jenna & Ryan with Cathy & Dave
6. Jenna with Cathy, Dave, Nick
7. Jenna with Cathy and Dave (parents)
8. Jenna & Nick (brother)

Ryan’s Family

1. Jenna & Ryan w/ Spouses of siblings, and nieces/nephews: Steven, Julie J, Julie T, Lauren, Paul, Harper, Yale, Jamie, Laura
2. Jenna & Ryan w/ Aunts/Uncles/Cousins: David, Joy, Ari, Samantha, Ritchie
3. Jenna & Ryan w/Immediate Family: Steven, Julie J, Julie T, Lauren, Jamie
4. Jenna & Ryan w/Parent(s): Steven, Julie
5. Ryan with sisters:: Jamie, Lauren
6. Ryan w/Parent(s): Steven, Julie

Bridal Party

Jenna’s:  Stephanie, Sophia, Jill, Eric

Ryan’s:  Thomas, Jeff, Dane, Dylan

For help on creating your master timeline, check out How to Create your wedding

Timeline or reach out to us for help!

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