Wedding Day Insider
Family Wedding Photos Made Easy
How to Organise Your Group Photos in 20 Minutes (and Enjoy More of Your Drinks Reception)
Family wedding photos are some of the most meaningful images from your day — the ones framed at home, shared with parents, and treasured for years to come.
But they don’t need to take up a large chunk of your wedding day.
With a little planning, your family and group photos can be completed in around 15–20 minutes, allowing you to get back to your drinks reception sooner and enjoy more relaxed time with your guests.
This guide is based on real experience photographing weddings all over Ireland, in churches, civil ceremonies, and hotel venues.
Why Family Photos Often Run Late at Irish Weddings
At Irish weddings, family photos commonly take longer than expected because:
Guests naturally head for the bar after the ceremony
Family members don’t realise they’re needed yet
Group combinations are decided on the spot
People are spread across large venues or grounds
None of this is unusual — it’s just how weddings flow.
The key is having a simple plan in place beforehand.
The Key to Fast Family Wedding Photos: A Pre-Planned List
The most effective way to keep family photos quick and stress-free is to decide your groupings in advance.
Before the wedding, I’ll ask you to prepare a short list of essential family combinations, such as:
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with immediate family
Couple with grandparents
Couple with siblings (and partners if you wish)
You don’t need every possible combination — just the ones that matter most to you.
📌 Irish wedding tip:
Around 8–10 family groupings is ideal and keeps everything moving smoothly.
Choose Two Family Members to Help on the Day
This is one of the simplest ways to save time.
I recommend choosing:
One family helper from each side
Someone confident, organised, and familiar with the family
Their role is simply to:
Call people over when needed
Keep the next group ready
Stop guests from wandering off between photos
This small step alone can save 10+ minutes, which means more time enjoying the drinks reception.
One Location = Faster Wedding Group Photos
To keep family photos efficient, they’re best taken:
In one nearby location
With good natural light
Close to the ceremony or drinks reception area
Moving between multiple locations quickly eats into time, especially at larger Irish wedding venues.
I’ll always advise on the best spot at your venue on the day — whether that’s indoors, outdoors, or a sheltered area if the weather changes.
Photograph Elderly Relatives First
If grandparents or elderly relatives are attending, we’ll:
Photograph them first
Keep things comfortable and relaxed
Allow them to return to the reception quickly
It’s kinder for them and helps the day flow more smoothly for everyone.
Relaxed, Natural Family Photos (No Awkward Posing)
Family photos don’t need to feel stiff or rushed.
On the day, I’ll:
Keep posing simple and natural
Give clear, friendly direction
Watch expressions and posture
Make sure everyone looks comfortable and relaxed
The goal is natural family wedding photos that feel genuine — without anyone feeling pulled away from the celebration.
Why This Matters: More Time at Your Drinks Reception
When family wedding photos are organised properly:
✅ Photos are finished quickly
✅ Guests aren’t left waiting
✅ No one feels stressed or rushed
✅ You get all the important family images
✅ You get back to your drinks reception sooner
That extra time makes a huge difference — more chatting, more laughter, and more chance to actually enjoy the moment with your guests.
A Final Word from Your Wedding Photographer
Family photos are important, but they shouldn’t take over your wedding day.
With a small bit of planning and a clear structure, we can capture everything you need efficiently, calmly, and beautifully — leaving you free to enjoy your wedding exactly as it should be.
If you ever need help planning your family photos, just ask — I’m always happy to guide you.