Family formals - the do’s and don'ts

Family Formals: How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Day Photos

Family formals are a classic part of most wedding days. After all, you want photos with your family and friends that your nan can proudly display on her wall. However, family formals come with challenges. For the couple, this means standing still for 20-30 minutes while holding a smile. For your guests, it’s the waiting around to be called when they just want to get back inside and have a drink. For the photographer, it may be your uncle who refuses to smile in any photo.

With all that said, this blog will cover how to make your family formals fun, fast, and efficient. This way, everyone can get back to enjoying the day. Let’s get started!

1. You Don’t Need to Plan Photos with Everyone

In the run-up to your wedding, it's tempting to think you need to plan to get pictures with everyone. However, this simply isn’t the case. We always suggest coming up with a list of around five priority groups. These could be close family members or friends. We will take care of standard groupings like immediate family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen.

You may be thinking, "But there are more than five groups of people I want photos with!" Yes, that's true! However, we tend to be at your wedding for 10 hours or more. Several opportunities will arise throughout the day to capture extra group photos, which don’t have to happen during the “family formals” segment. This approach prevents your guests from waiting while we work through 30 different group combinations.

2. Elect a Point of Contact

The typical wedding has around 60-80 guests. For most of us, remembering that many names in just a few hours can be challenging. That’s where a point of contact comes in. This should be someone who knows most of the people at your wedding, such as a groomsman, bridesmaid, or a parent.

Their job will be to help us, the photographers, gather the right people for the family formals. This person will help put a face to the names on your list. By having a point of contact, we can save valuable time and avoid wasting 15 minutes searching for someone who doesn’t hear us call their name three times.

3. Consider Alternatives

Even though family formals are a traditional wedding staple, they might not be your style. If so, consider an alternative approach! One fun idea we've used in the past is a speed round of photos. In this format, groups of 4-5 people have just 5 seconds to run in, strike a pose with the couple, and then get out. After all groups are done, the bride and groom can select their favorite photo. The winning group then receives a free pint!

This approach takes the formality out of family formals, and who wouldn’t want an added incentive for their uncle to finally smile?

4. Hire a Photo Booth

A photo booth can be an excellent addition to your wedding day. It allows you to capture all the group photos you could ever want without the pressure of having to formally organize each shot. With a photo booth, you can simply grab friends and family whenever you have a chance. It’s also a great opportunity for some silly, fun photos too!

Benefits of a Photo Booth

• Casual Atmosphere: A photo booth creates a relaxed environment where guests can enjoy themselves while taking pictures.

• Memorable Keepsakes: Guests receive a physical photo strip as a memento of the day.

• Interaction: It encourages guests to interact and have fun, ensuring everyone feels included.

www.glam-booth.co.uk or www.luxphotobooths.co.uk

Conclusion: Keeping Everyone Happy

I hope this blog has provided insights on maximizing your family formal session on your wedding day. The goal is to keep everyone happy and enjoying the celebration. If you wish to discuss any of these tips further, feel free to drop us a message!

And remember, while preparing for your special day, it’s essential to think about the flow of events. With careful planning, you can enjoy effortless family formals, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

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