Say Cheese… But Not Too Many Times! The Hidden Downside of Wedding Group Shots
Why You Should Limit Wedding Formal Group Shots to No More Than 10
My Experience as a Wedding Photographer
Having photographed over 300 weddings, I have seen first-hand how group shots can either enhance or disrupt a wedding day. Time is incredibly limited after the ceremony, with only a small window before the wedding breakfast begins. The pressure to complete dozens of group photos within this timeframe can make couples feel rushed and stressed. Additionally, the winter season presents unique challenges—less daylight means even less time for photography, and adverse weather conditions can make gathering guests difficult. This is why I strongly recommend keeping the list of formal group shots concise, ensuring the day flows smoothly while still capturing those all-important family moments.
When planning your wedding photography, it’s tempting to include a long list of formal group shots to ensure every family member and friend is captured. However, limiting these formal photos to no more than 10 key groups will not only make your day run smoother but also ensure your wedding album is filled with natural, meaningful moments. Here’s why less is more when it comes to formal group shots:
1. Preserve the Flow of Your Wedding Day
Your wedding day will fly by, and you’ll want to spend it celebrating rather than standing in a line for endless photos. Each formal group shot takes time to set up, from gathering family members to ensuring everyone is positioned correctly and looking their best. On average, each group shot can take 3-5 minutes to organize and capture, meaning a long list of formal shots can quickly consume a significant portion of your day. Keeping the list to a reasonable number allows you to focus on being present and enjoying every moment with your loved ones.
2. Keep Guests Engaged
Nobody likes waiting around, especially at a wedding. Long group photo sessions can leave your guests feeling restless and disengaged, particularly when they’re eager to enjoy the reception, grab a drink, or catch up with friends and family. Large group shots, in particular, take time to organize, and guests may start feeling impatient. A streamlined list of formal shots ensures that guests aren’t left standing around for too long and can get back to the festivities sooner.
3. Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed
As a couple, your wedding day is an emotional whirlwind filled with love, excitement, and occasional nerves. Spending too much time on formal portraits can become exhausting, especially if you’re constantly being pulled from one photo to the next. This can make the experience feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the day. Given that each formal shot takes 3-5 minutes, an extensive list can add up to an hour or more of structured photography, making you feel drained. A well-curated list of formal shots ensures that you stay relaxed, energized, and fully immersed in the joy of your wedding without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Capture More Candid Moments
Some of the most cherished wedding photos are not the perfectly posed ones but the spontaneous, real moments—the laughter, the happy tears, and the genuine expressions of love. The more time your photographer spends capturing these raw, unscripted moments, the more heartfelt and personal your wedding album will be. Reducing the number of formal shots gives your photographer the freedom to document the magic as it unfolds naturally, resulting in a collection of images that truly tell the story of your day.
5. Efficiency Leads to Better Photos
Your photographer works best when they have a clear, manageable list of group shots. Too many formal photos can lead to rushed or repetitive images, diminishing the overall quality. By keeping the list concise, your photographer can take the time to compose each shot thoughtfully, ensuring better lighting, positioning, and expressions. With each group shot taking an average of 3-5 minutes, a shorter list allows your photographer to work efficiently without feeling rushed, ensuring that every image is well-crafted and visually appealing.
6. Prioritize the Most Important People
Limiting your formal shots encourages you to focus on the people who matter most—your immediate family and wedding party. These are the individuals who have played significant roles in your lives and your relationship. By prioritising these key groups, you ensure that these meaningful relationships are beautifully documented without overwhelming your schedule. This also allows more time for smaller, intimate moments, such as a heartfelt hug with a parent or a joyful laugh with your Bridal party or Groom Party, which can be just as impactful as any posed portrait.
Suggested Formal Group Shots:
- Couple with both sets of parents
- Couple with immediate family (siblings & parents)
- Couple with grandparents
- Couple with wedding party
- Bride with bridesmaids
- Groom with groomsmen
- Couple with bride’s family
- Couple with groom’s family
- Couple with close friends
- Couple with extended family (if time allows)
By keeping your formal group photos to a well-curated list, you allow your wedding day to unfold naturally while still capturing the key family and group portraits. Trust your photographer to guide you through this process so you can enjoy a seamless, stress-free experience—after all, your wedding day is about making memories, not managing a photoshoot.
