The Only Wedding Group Photo List You’ll Need

Jay and I love capturing the most natural, candid photos possible. We believe that this style shows how your wedding day was, shows the true personality of those with you on your day, and documents the wedding for a lifetime of memories!

While we shoot most of your wedding images candidly, we also feel its important to capture more classic formal group poses as well, where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. The bonus of this is that while Im shooting these more traditional photos, Jay is off to the side still getting candid moments (-;

We like to get traditional shots done first so we have more time for fun and candid ones! These group shots are best immediately when everyone is ready and fresh, right before the ceremony. The heels haven’t started to dig into the bridesmaids feet yet and the groomsmen are still OK with being in the tuxes. Since our most important goal is getting you to your wedding on time, we allow 3-5 minutes for each desired grouping to ensure maximum results with minimal time, so make sure all the flowers and boutonnieres are delivered on time and attached to the wedding party and family members in advance!

We always try to start with the largest grouping first and then break it down from there to allow mingling. We also love to include a photo of you both solo with each of your respective wedding party members since each of these people have been invited because of close, personal ties with the you!

If you have any ideas for ‘cant-miss’ portrait groupings, we have a section on your wedding questionnaire (sent to you about 3 months before the wedding) for you to add in additional groupings. We’re happy to work with you to capture all of your special moments! Just remember that each additional grouping will take 3-5 minutes each to set up and shoot.

Here is our usual go-to list for group photos:

Family Photos – Groups

For family photos, we urge our couples to keep it to immediate family (grandparents, parents, siblings and their spouses/children if they have it. This is to ensure that it goes by as quickly as possible.

Not only do your family members want to go mingle with the guests (and lets be honest, grab a cocktail!), but many churches here in the South give you 15-30 minute for photos on premises, be it at the alter or outdoors (and we’ll always pick outdoors if you give us the option).

If you have a lot of family photo requests with extended family (aunts, uncles, etc), its best to capture those at the cocktail hour and reception when you are mingling and not on the church ladies deadline.

Partner A & Partner B with Partner A’s immediate family
Partner A & Partner B with Partner A’s parents
Partner A & Partner B with Partner B’s  immediate family
Partner A & Partner B with Partner B’s parents

Family Photos – Individuals 

Basically if you’re not gonna print the photo out, we don’t need to take it.

This is why we think its totally unnecessary to do a photo on your wedding day of You + Your Immediate Family without your spouse…who needs that photo??

Individual photos are much more likely to be treasured. Every mother dreams of having a solo portrait with her daughter on her wedding day, and when was the last time you & your siblings were so dressed up? Not to get morbid, but grandparents won’t be around for much longer.

We also LOVE to snag a quick pic of each family member together without you too, like your parents together and your sibling with THEIR family.

Partner A with parents
Partner A with mom
Partner A with dad
Partner A with siblings
Partner A with grandparents
Mom + Dad
Each Sibling w/their partner or family
Grandma + Grandpa

Partner B with parents
Partner B with mom
Partner B with dad
Partner B with siblings
Partner B with grandparents
Mom + Dad
Each Sibling w/their partner or family
Grandma + Grandpa
Your parent + Their parent

The Wedding Party

Everyone – traditional, facing camera & smiling
Everyone – traditional casual, girls lean in, guys unbutton jackets and put arms around shoulders
Everyone – look at each other and laugh
Everyone – mix & match. We usually tell the wedding party to stand next to the person they walked down the aisle with
Everyone – funny pose of everyones choice
Everyone – everyone walking towards the camera and laughing together
Everyone – Partner’s A & B  pulled away with bridal party acting as their background
Everyone – the “selfie” – crowd around the couple as close together as possible like someones trying to take a selfie

After the group photos, Jay and I split up to conquer the rest! I’m in charge of the group photos & Jay is in charge of individual photos!

A little warning: you will probably get a lot of silly groomsmen photos. We always get traditional photos of them first, but 9/10 times they really just want to act like fools…and we love it!

The Bride(s) + Bridesmaids(men)

• traditional, facing the camera
• traditional casual, lean in together
• look at each other and laugh
• Detail shots – shoes, bouquets
• funny pose of everyones choice
• walk together and laugh
• Bride with each her crew alone (Jay will do these)

The Groom(s) + Groomsmen(ladies)

• traditional, hands in pockets facing the camera
• traditional casual, jackets unbuttoned, arms around each other
• Flying V
• Detail shots – funky socks, bowties, jacket lining patterns
• funny pose of everyones choice (the guys usually come up with some awesome stuff)
• walk together and laugh
• Groom with each of his crew alone (Jay will do these)

And a final note: throughout the day & night, we’re always on the lookout for your families interacting with each other! Traditional photos go up on the mantel, but candid photos get put in albums & shared on social media (-; Plus they ALWAYS end up being favored over the traditional looking ones!

Katie + Jay of Catherine Ann Photography are Charleston SC Based Wedding & Elopement Photographers specializing in candid & fun wedding photos that feel like you!  

Ready to book your wedding with us? Get in touch here!