WEdding family formals

 

Why plan family portraits ahead?

The day is about you and your babe. It’s important you enjoy your wedding day and that we don’t spend a ton of time on family portraits.

Without planning family portraits, we will take about 30 minutes and get around 15-20 photo. WITH planning, we will take about 15 minutes and get about 30+ photos.

All I need from you is a family tree for both you and your spouse. Who to include in the family tree is up to you.

The best way to decide who should be on the family formal list is simply by asking yourself the question “will this person print this photo and put on their living room wall?” If the answer is “probably not”, don’t put it them on the family tree.

The family tree will be used for me to create your family portrait list. I need your family tree at least 2 weeks before your wedding. I will create the portrait list and send it to you to review.

This is something easy to do when your wanting to get ahead on wedding planning.

 
 

how to create a family tree:

Instead of creating a list of photos, all I need is your family tree. Think elementary school! You can do this in list form, a diagram or however else you feel. The only thing I definitely need is:

  • everyone’s first name

  • their relation (to you, and who their parents are)

Here is an example of what that might look like for a bride named Lauren

Lauren’s Side:

  • April (mom)

  • Paul (dad)

    • Logan (brother)

  • Sheila (stepmom)

    • Sarah (half-sister through Paul and Sheila)

    • Brad (step brother through Sheila)

      • Harper (neice)

  • Brenda (April’s mom, granny)

    • Scot (uncle) and Pam (aunt)

      • Paisley & Paxton (cousins)

That’s enough examples. Basically, I need to know who you want photos with and who they are in your family so I don’t put a random cousin in the wrong family.

 
 

Send it over, we will adjust together

Send over your list to Cierra (via email or text) at least two weeks prior to your wedding. It will give us time to make any adjustments needed, and face any concerns you might have!

If there are any family photos that won’t be hung up on the wall necessarily but you still want it, consider getting them at the reception in a casual setting. This still gives you a professional photograph without it being formal and taking time away from the Bride and Groom photos.

Remember, at any time during the reception if you want a picture with a guest, you can always call me over and I’ll gladly do it. That’s what I am here for!

Three popular ideas for getting photos with guests are:

  1. Have the DJ play ONE (preferably longer) song that is upbeat and fun. Have all the guests at their tables. Challenge the entire wedding with the couple getting a photo with every table in ONE song. These end up being really fun and is a quick way of getting photos

  2. Have the DJ announce the couple is going to stand (wherever we decide) and to create a line behind the photographer to get a photo with the couple. This is a great way to get a photo with everyone in about 10-15 minutes and say hi to everyone so you’re entire reception isn’t spent saying hi to each table.

  3. Just que us anytime you want a photo! Casual, simple, but usually not everyone is photographed.