As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing ‘formals’ – those carefully planned group shots of your daytime guests – many times. While they’re not obligatory, formal shots have become a traditional part of many weddings. However, some couples may choose to forego them, and that’s perfectly fine too. That being said, there are likely family members and closest friends who will want to commemorate the special day with a photo. If you don’t plan on having a set of formals, it’s essential to think about alternative arrangements for capturing these important moments.
Just winging it and hoping to get those photos ‘at some point’ might not work out as planned (I speak from personal experience!). The advantage of formal shots is that they remove the concern that someone crucial might be missing from your final photos. Plus, you don’t have to stick to traditional, stiff poses – there’s room for creativity and fun in these pictures too.
If formal shots are right for you and your wedding, they can become a fantastic part of telling the story of your day. But let’s be real – with lots of people to coordinate, including kids eager to get back to playing and camera-phobes determined to stay out of shot, it can be a challenge.
As someone who’s both a professional photographer and a recent wedding guest (I was on the other side of the lens at my own wedding), I’ve learned a few simple tips that couples can apply during the planning stage to help things run as smoothly as possible.
When To Do Group Photos
When planning group photos at a traditional wedding ceremony, it’s essential to consider the timing and duration. After the ceremony, expect 15-20 minutes for congratulations from well-wishers. To maximize this window, aim to start taking formal shots relatively soon after, when guests are still gathered in roughly the same area and haven’t had too much to drink yet (resulting in a more manageable and directed photo shoot). By getting the formal photos out of the way earlier, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy the rest of your day with your guests, knowing that you’ve already captured some fantastic memories for posterity.
What Photographs Do We Need
When planning your wedding photography, it’s essential to strike the right balance between capturing special moments and respecting the time of your guests. Your photographer will work with you to create a customized plan, but as a general rule, aim for no more than 10 shots. This will ensure that you don’t spend too much of your special day posing for photos, and instead can focus on enjoying the celebration with your loved ones.To make the most of your photo session, it’s helpful to prioritize your shots in advance. Start with the big group shot, as this will help get everyone gathered together and aware of what’s happening. From there, you can work your way through the different groups, such as family, friends, and wedding party members.Assigning a few trusted helpers from your wedding party to assist with rounding up guests can also be incredibly helpful. They’ll know who’s who and can help keep everyone in line, making it much easier for your photographer to get the shots you want.Remember, this is your special day, and it’s okay to speak up if there’s someone specific you’d like included or excluded from the photos. Your photographer will be happy to accommodate your requests and work with you to create a memorable experience that you’ll treasure for years to come.
The Big Group Shot
When it comes to capturing everyone in attendance without taking up too much time, this is definitely worth highlighting! A good photographer will typically do a ‘reconnaissance’ on the day of the event (light levels can make a significant difference) and be able to advise you on ideal locations. However, it’s also important to consider potential spots when visiting the venue yourself. There are several ways to achieve a strong group shot, with one method being to have the photographer positioned high above the guests, looking down at them so that everyone’s face is in frame. Alternatively, all guests can be arranged on steps or a slope to ensure everyone’s face is visible. If you simply group everyone together at the same height as the photographer, only the first few rows of people will be captured.If upon visiting your chosen venue, you’re unable to find an obvious location for a large group shot, don’t panic! Identifying this in advance allows you to speak with your photographer and plan accordingly. They may bring along a box or step ladder to accommodate this need. I actually have a pair of stilts that I sometimes bring along, which gives me more flexibility to move around quickly.Both the methods mentioned above are effective and require minimal organization – simply gather everyone together and capture the moment. However, there are other creative ways to approach group shots as well. A few years ago, I came up with a shot that I really enjoy doing when there’s sufficient space. I call it the ‘guest 360.’ I get everyone to stand in a large circle facing inward, like they’re about to do the hokey pokey with the couple standing a short distance away and me in the center. Then, I take a series of photos while rotating around 360 degrees before stitching all the images together later to create a full panorama of your guests, venue, and celebration.What I really like about this shot is that you get to see everyone’s entire length rather than just their heads, as well as capture the entirety of the venue (it’s essential to think about where to do it for the most impressive view). The final image received is incredibly high-resolution, often comprising 20 or so images stitched together. This allows you to print out a large panorama and still see everyone clearly.
Allow Enough Time
When scheduling formal photoshoots with your photographer, be sure to allocate sufficient time to ensure that each photo meets your expectations. A general guideline is 5 minutes per photo, which should give your photographer ample opportunity to capture the perfect shot. Additionally, consider adding a couples shoot to your schedule, as this often yields the most intimate and memorable photos of the day. By allowing your photographer some creative freedom, you’ll be amazed at the unique and artistic shots that can be achieved.
Allowing for a minimum of an hour and a half between your ceremony and meal time provides ample opportunity to capture formal group shots and a couples shoot, without sacrificing valuable mingling time with your guests. This buffer also gives your photographer the flexibility to experiment with different shots, resulting in a more diverse and memorable photo collection.
Golden Hour Shots
When scheduling your wedding photography, it’s worth considering the golden hour – the hour just before sunset – as this is often when the light is at its most flattering. However, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. If you’re short on time, you may need to adjust your schedule to accommodate this ideal shooting window.When it comes to wedding formals, it’s crucial to prioritize what matters most to you and your partner. Communicate openly with your photographer from the start to ensure that these moments are captured in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, your special day. By doing so, you’ll not only reduce stress but also end up with stunning photographs that tell the story of your love.Sandy is a Bristol-based wedding photographer who captures life’s precious moments through his relaxed documentary reportage style. His vibrant and natural flair has earned him a reputation as one of the South West’s top photographers. Follow Sandy on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with his latest work.