Finding the best wedding venues in Essex and cocktail hour lasting much longer than expected due to family portraits taking an hour or more are two situations at every wedding. Let us reveal a little secret to you. This is something you can avoid at your wedding. Family wedding photos can be taken in 30 minutes or less with some preparation. 

 If you are still looking for the best photographer, Prested Hall’s staff can recommend the best photographers in Essex. You’ll have stress-free family photos on your wedding day if you follow our 13 tips below. After all, wedding photography should be completed rapidly and effectively so you can return to the festivities!

Prepare 1-2 months before the wedding.

Being one of the best Colchester wedding venues, Prested Hall strongly recommends making a list of family portraits you do want to be taken on the big day before your wedding! We strongly advise doing this 1 – 2 months before the wedding. After all, the closer the wedding day approaches, the more last-minute details emerge. If you complete this list, you’ll have less aggravating the situation up to the wedding.

Maintain the list of the most family photos to a minimum.

We advise you to limit your family portrait list to 20 groupings to ensure the sanity of your family, guests, and, most importantly, yourself. Anything beyond that, believe us, causes people to go insane. 

Consider the most important photos first. Most couples will have pictures with their parents, grandparents, and siblings. After that, you can begin to consider aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and so on. Even with a large family, moving quickly through family photos is critical. Do the most significant pictures during this time; if necessary, more photos can be taken at the reception.

WEDDING DAY FORMAL GROUP PHOTOS

Anyone who has attended a wedding knows how difficult it is to get everyone together for photos. You’ve got small children running around, grandmothers who can’t abide for long periods, and everyone is just plain bored; they want to get to the bar and start celebrating! And I can’t say I blame them.

But don’t stress; Prested is here to assist you! Here are some tips for keeping formal group shots on your wedding day short, sweet, and enjoyable for everyone.

Solicit feedback from your parents and fiance

Your parents, fiancé, and their parents will all have different ideas about who should appear in the family wedding photos. Along with all the groupings on your list, someone else will undoubtedly have a few more collections they’d like to add.

They must understand that keeping the list to 20 groups helps to ensure a smooth family photo session. Making everyone aware of the list ahead of time and soliciting feedback when creating the required photos will make family portraits much less stressful.

Prested Hall strongly advises sending the list of must-have pictures to both sets of parents as soon as it is completed.

Give yourself enough time.

Rushing through photos with family members is a disaster waiting to happen. To account for any significant delays, add a half-hour to your schedule.

Be ready with props.

If you intend to use props in your photos, ensure you have everything you need before you begin shooting. Nothing kills the moment like having to dash off to find that misplaced umbrella/tambourine/inflatable unicorn or bouquet.

First, photograph any elderly or disabled people and young children.

When compiling a list of must-have photos, keep any elderly family members in mind. If anyone has difficulty standing for long periods, have their photos taken first? People using walkers, canes, and fidgety children, fall into this category. Taking these photos can help your elderly loved ones get to a comfy seat faster and prevent a grumpy and possibly hungry child from crying.

Communicate with family in advance

This is a crucial tip! Make it clear to your family that they will be required for portraits at a specific time on the wedding day. Please provide them with as much advance notice as possible. If you want pictures taken before the ceremony, specify a time for your family to arrive.

 If you want family photos taken after the vows are exchanged, request that the officiant announce to follow the ceremony. This ensures everyone is on the page and knows where they should be and when.

Delegate authority to a family member

It’s easy to overlook that your bridesmaids and photographer may only sometimes know every close cousin in your family. This is why having a family member available to hunt down anyone who may have skipped portraits and gone to the bar is beneficial. 

It would be even better to have someone from our families available. Designate them ahead and inform them that you have a particular task. It’s an excellent role for that one family member who desires to assist with all wedding day preparations.

Having a family member track down people helps the photographer keep everything running quickly and smoothly.

Know the location for family photos.

Without a doubt, it is critical to consider the location of your wedding day family photos. Family wedding photos are typically taken at the altar or before the ceremonies. There are numerous options for outdoor venues. 

Typically, family wedding photos are taken at the ceremony location. However, these photos can also be taken under trees, in front of a building, or a specific area of your venue. When in doubt, consult your photographer for location ideas. Most notably, ensure your family knows where the photos will be taken.

Be Convenient.

With so many people involved, something is bound to go incorrectly at some point during the photo shoot. If someone isn’t cooperating or you’re losing the light, don’t worry; roll with the punches and do your best. Because these photos are meant to acquire a slice of life, flaws are perfectly acceptable!

Please notify your photographer of any particular circumstances.

People only sometimes want to share their family drama with others, but this should be an exception. Please inform your photographer of any family issues. Please notify the photographer if your parents cannot be within 10 feet of one another. 

Or let them know if you want a family photo with and without your sister’s boyfriend. Most importantly, keep your photographer informed so they can avoid embarrassing conversations. It is greatly appreciated.

Believe in your photographer.

Your photographer will know the best location, lighting, and timing for the photos; trust them. Family wedding photos don’t have to be a nightmare if you follow these simple guidelines. Remember that it’s all about having fun and spending quality time with your loved ones at the end of the day.

That’s all there is to it. These 13 points will help you relax more about the family portraits portion of your wedding day. Your family and friends will appreciate you planning this aspect of your wedding day. It is ultimately up to you which family photo mixtures are taken at the wedding. 

You’ll have more time to talk to family and friends who came to start celebrating with you if you limit the number of groupings. This will allow you to finally appreciate the party with all your favorites in the best UK wedding venue.