18 Key Family Photos to Take at Your Wedding, According to Photographers

You've secured your venue, booked your vendors, and landed on who you want to be in your wedding party. Now, as your big day inches closer and closer, you may start honing in on the details of your celebration. What time should your cocktail hour start? What song do you want to walk down the aisle to? And what photos are essential for your photographer to capture?

Decades from now, when you look back on your nuptials, you'll want to remember all of your loved ones who were in attendance at the affair. In addition to capturing your first moments as newlyweds, you'll want to ensure your photographer reserves time for those beloved family pictures. For most couples, wedding-day family photos are some of their most treasured mementos. "In the future, the number one thing you’ll want is photos with your important family members," says Sirena Singleton, a wedding photographer. "When my grandmother died, I looked back on all of our wedding photos together constantly."

It's also often one of the only opportunities to capture such pictures. "Weddings are one of the rare occasions when everyone important in a couple’s life comes together," says Jenny Fu, a New York City-based wedding photographer. "These photos aren’t just for today—they’re cherished keepsakes that will be passed down for generations. Even if it takes 30 minutes out of the day, these moments are always worth it."

However, wedding-day family photos can also get complicated. It can feel overwhelming to decide which family members you need to include in your photo session and how to coordinate timing to keep the day on schedule. Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know to understand the ins and outs of family photos.

Taking Family Wedding Photos: 8 Key Tips

Not sure who to include in your wedding photos or when to take them? While immediate family members should be a given for your photo album, there are some gray areas as to who you should and shouldn't feel obligated to include. Keep reading for tips on how to stay organized and keep your photographer in the loop during the process.

Focus on the VIPs

"Prioritize immediate family and VIPs," Fu says. "I recommend starting with Spouse A’s family, adding Spouse B’s family for the full group shot, and then removing Spouse A’s family. This keeps the process efficient and organized." By focusing on the most important people, you'll ensure you capture those priority shots. “If there’s someone who raised you or is super special, I always tell couples to have those people first,” Singleton adds.

Handle Divorced Couples With Care

If your or your partner's parents are divorced, their placement in family photos will ultimately depend on their relationship. "If they’re comfortable being photographed together, we can arrange it; if not, it’s absolutely okay to take separate photos," Fu says. "I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable or forced into a situation." Typically, you and your partner will take photos with each parent, as well as their new significant other if they've remarried. However, know that if you don't have a relationship with a parent's new partner—or new stepsiblings, you're not under any obligation to include them in your photos.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Your photographer will likely request a shot list from you before your nuptials. Don't neglect this sheet, as it will help ensure the day runs smoothly. "Share a well-thought-out family photo list with your photographer and planner before the big day," Fu says. "Each grouping takes around three to five minutes to organize, so it’s essential to build this time into your timeline. Rushing through family portraits can feel chaotic, but a little preparation ensures the process is smooth and enjoyable."

Ensure Everyone Is Ready

There's often limited time to take these important shots. As a result, you'll want to make sure you don't waste time trying to find a key family member during cocktail hour. To prevent this, Fu suggests having the next group "on deck." "While one group is being photographed, the next group should already be gathered and ready to step in," she says. "This minimizes downtime."

Be Considerate of Elderly Family Members

"For older guests or anyone with mobility issues, plan the photos in an order that minimizes their movement or standing time," Fu says. "Your photographer will help arrange the flow, so it’s comfortable for everyone."

Know That It's Okay to Say "No"

It's completely acceptable to not want your brother's girlfriend of a month whom you barely know in your wedding photos. The same goes for your mom's third cousin. If you don't have a close relationship with an extended family member, it's perfectly fine to leave them out of family photos.

Give Clear Directions

"The most important tip for shooting family photos is to keep it simple with clear posing directions," says Josh Dwain, a New York-based photographer. "Group everyone in layers (taller people in the back, kids in the front), and ensure everyone is relaxed by keeping the atmosphere light and fun." Without a directive, you may notice people tend to create their own formation—rather than the one that's the most optimal for pictures.

Ask for Help

Ask a friend to be in charge of organizing the photo sessions. They'll make sure everyone who needs to be in them is present and help the photographer move this process along so that it doesn't take more time than necessary.

Sample Family Photo Shot List

Looking for a shot list to give to your photographer when it comes to your family photos? Below, Fu provides a sample one.

Spouse A’s Family:

• Spouse A + Spouse B with Spouse A's immediate family
• Spouse A + Spouse B with Spouse A's parents
• Spouse A + Spouse B with Spouse A's siblings
• Spouse A + Spouse B with Spouse A's extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins)

Spouse A + Spouse B With Everyone:

• Full family shot (both sides together)

Spouse B’s Family:

• Spouse B + Spouse A with Spouse B's immediate family
• Spouse B + Spouse A with Spouse B's parents
• Spouse B + Spouse A with Spouse B's siblings
• Spouse B + Spouse A with Spouse B's extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins)
  

18 Must-Have Family Wedding Photos

As you brainstorm must-have family portraits, we've rounded up some of our favorites from real weddings for inspiration.