Family formals - the do’s and don'ts

Family formals are a classic parts of most wedding days, after all, you want photos with your family and friends that your nan can stick up on her wall. However, Family formals do come with challenges. For the couple this could be, standing still for 30 minutes 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's your uncle that refuses to smile in any photo. With all that said, this blog is about all the things you can do in the run up to your wedding to make your family formals fun, fast and efficient so everyone can get back to enjoying the day. So let's get started.

1. You don't need to plan photos with everyone

   In the run up to your wedding, i know it can be tempting to think you need to plan getting pictures with everyone, but this simply isn't the case. We always suggest you come up with a list of around 5 groups of people that are your top priority. We take care of the standard, close family, bridesmaids and groomsmen, you just need to come up with 5 other groups. Now you might be thinking "But there are more than 5 groups of people i want photos with" and yes, thats true, but we tend to be at your wedding for 10+ hours. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the day to get extra group photos that don't have to happen during the "Family formals" part of the day. This stops your guests all waiting around while we run through a list on 30 different combinations of people.

2. Elect a point of contact

   The typical wedding has around 60-80 Guests. Now i don't know about you, but i definitely can't remember that many peoples names in a couple of hours. Thats where a point of contact comes in. This should be someone that has a good idea who most of the people at your wedding are such as a groomsman, a bridesmaid or a parent. Their job will be to help us (The photographer) Gather the right people for the family formals. Someone who can put a fact to the name i have on your list. This saves me wasting 15 minutes searching for someone who decided not to hear me call their name 3 times.

   
   

3. Consider Alternatives

   Although family formals are a traditional staple of a wedding day, if it's not your vibe, you can do something else. Something we've done in the past that was a blast is a speed round. Groups of 4-5 people have 5 seconds to run in, strike a pose with the couple and get out before the next group does the same thing. After everyone is done, bride and groom selects the best photo and that group gets a free pint. This can take the formal out of family formals and a free pint is enough to encourage that uncle of yours to smile.

   
   

4. Hire a photo booth

   A photo booth is a great way to make sure you get all the group photos you could ever want, and takes the pressure of having to formally organise it. You can just grab friends and family whenever you get the chance to pop in and get a nice group photo, plus some silly options as well.

   
   

   

   
   

   I hope this blog has given you some insight on how you can make the most of your family formal session on your wedding day to keep everyone happy and having a good time. If you wish to discuss any of this further, feel free to drop us a message!