Group Photos

Why they matter—and how to get them done without the faff (and lost time).

You might not think of group photos as your favourite part of the wedding—but hear me out. This is likely going to be the only moment in your life when all your favourite people are in one place, all looking in the same direction at the same time.

Instead of dragging it out, it’s about nailing a few quick, meaningful shots that reflect the people you love—and the joy of the day—without feeling like a production.

Why should you invest time in group photos?

Group photos are more than formalities; they’re tiny time capsules. They're often the first images families print out, and decades later, these photos become treasured heirlooms, stirring up nostalgia and “look how far we’ve come” memories.

How do you keep this smooth and fast?

The secret is in the prep. I send couples a short questionnaire weeks before the wedding to list who should be in each shot.

Then, I optimise the order—starting with larger family groups and slowly removing people—so we're not hunting them down mid-day.

I also ask for a helper (often the maid of honour or best man) to round people up.

With that, I can shoot up to 20 group photos in just 10 minutes.

How much time should we allow per group photo?

Honestly, not as long as most people think.

I usually reckon on 2–3 minutes for a smaller group and about 5 minutes for bigger ones.

The longest bit is always finding Uncle John, who’s wandered off to the bar—not the actual photo.

When should we schedule group portraits?

The easiest time is usually right after the ceremony while everyone’s in one place, but I don’t believe in cramming them all into one long block.

I’ll often suggest doing 10 minutes or so straight after the ceremony, then another short burst after food, and maybe a few more later in the evening.

Breaking them up keeps the energy flowing and avoids that “are we done yet?” feeling.

Any rules for posing groups?

Yes—keep it simple. I often line up the couple in the middle, bridal party or guests evenly on either side, all turning inward to face the camera.

It’s efficient, easy to direct, and keeps the energy moving—because this is your wedding, not a full-scale photo session.

What if something’s going off-script, but you need to keep moving?

I’ve got a fail-safe called the “safe word.” If timing is slipping, the couple can use that to pause, regroup later, and not let it derail the flow of the day. The last thing I want is for group photos to steal time away from your day.

At one wedding, the couple wanted a long list of family photos.

Normally, that could eat into the whole drinks reception. But because we’d planned ahead and had a helper rounding everyone up, I managed to shoot through the entire list in under 15 minutes.

The guests were still finishing their prosecco, and the couple were back mingling before anyone noticed they’d even gone.

They told me afterwards they couldn’t believe how painless it was—and how glad they were to have those family photos in the album without it feeling like a chore.

Here’s a reminder for your own planning:

• Plan your group photo list a few weeks before the wedding
  

• Keep it simple—10 or so groups is plenty
  

• Nominate a helper who knows the guests
  

• Start with big groups and peel people away
  

• Break sessions into short bursts throughout the day
  

• Use a safe word if you need to pause and come back later

It’s not about how many group photos you get—it’s about getting the right ones, efficiently and joyfully.

A well-planned, quick group session lets you spend more time doing what weddings are actually about: celebrating with your favourite people.

If you only remember one thing, make it this: group photos don’t need to be a slog. With a bit of prep, they’re quick, stress-free, and give you something you’ll treasure long after the party’s over.