5 Things to Know When Choosing Your Group Photos at Your Wedding

Let's talk about group photos!

I know, I know. You're probably dreaming of those gorgeous, natural photographs of you and your new husband or wife, golden hour portraits and all the happy, candid moments in between. But amongst all of that, there will probably be a few group photos you'd really love to have too. Whether it's a photo with your immediate family, your best friends or that one group of people who have been there through absolutely everything, wedding group photos are a lovely way to remember the people who celebrated with you. The trick is getting the photos you really want without spending half your drinks reception lining everyone up like it's your school picture day!

So, as a Surrey wedding photographer, here are my five tips for choosing your wedding group photo list.

1. Keep your wedding group photo list short and sweet

First things first: you do not need a photograph with every possible combination of people you know.

Of course, it's lovely to have those important family photographs, but if your list starts looking like a complicated family tree with 27 different combinations, it might be time to have a little rethink!

Every group photo takes time to gather people together, get everyone in position and make sure nobody has their eyes closed. The longer your list, the less time you'll have to enjoy your drinks reception with your guests. I'd recommend choosing a handful of meaningful group combinations rather than trying to photograph every possible pairing. Your future self will thank you when you're enjoying a glass of fizz instead of organising another photograph!

2. Prioritise the people closest to you

When deciding which group photos to include, think about the people who matter most to you.

For some couples, that's immediate family. For others, it's their closest friends, their siblings, grandparents or the people who have supported them throughout their relationship. There isn't a right or wrong answer here. Every family and friendship group is different, and your wedding photographs should reflect that. If you know you'll treasure a photograph with your grandparents for years to come, put it on the list. If your best friends have been by your side since your school days, make sure there's a photo with them too. And please don't feel pressured to include a particular group just because you think you're supposed to. It's your wedding day, after all!

3. YOU get to choose the list

This one is really important.

Your photographer should be there to guide you, offer advice and help your group photos run smoothly, but they shouldn't be deciding who is important enough to make the list. You know your family dynamics, friendships and relationships better than anyone else. Your photographer doesn't necessarily know that you haven't seen your university friends in five years or that you'd love a photograph with your new in-laws.

A good wedding photographer will help you create a practical list that works with your timings, while making sure the people who matter to you are included.

At Pettitt Photography, I want you to look back at your gallery and see the people you wanted to remember. Not just the people someone else thought should be there!

4. Can you combine people into one photograph?

Before adding another five combinations to your list, ask yourself whether some of those groups could be photographed together. For example, instead of having separate photos with each side of the immediate family, would you be happy with one photograph of everyone together? Could your siblings and their partners join the wider family photo? Or could you have one brilliant photograph with all your bridesmaids, rather than an individual photo with each person?

Of course, there may be reasons you'd prefer separate photographs, and that's absolutely fine. But combining groups where it makes sense can save valuable time without sacrificing the photographs you really want. Your photographer can help you work out which combinations will look good together and which groups might be better photographed separately. Fewer combinations, less waiting around and more time celebrating. Sounds pretty good to me!

5. Let your guests know when group photos are happening

You've planned your list, you've chosen your favourite people, and you're ready to go. There's just one small problem...Uncle Dave has wandered off to the bar, your best friend is catching up with someone they haven't seen since 2012, and Grandma has disappeared to find the toilets.

Sound familiar?

The easiest way to avoid a game of wedding-day hide-and-seek is to let your guests know roughly when the group photos will happen. Ask your celebrant, wedding coordinator or a member of your wedding party to mention it in advance. You could also give your immediate family and wedding party a heads-up so they know to stick around. It's also worth discussing the timings with your photographer beforehand. Your group photos might work best straight after the ceremony, before everyone heads into the drinks reception, or at another point in your schedule that suits your plans. A little communication goes a long way, and it means you can get those important photographs done without spending your whole reception searching for missing family members!

The most important thing to remember

Your wedding group photos should be about celebrating the people you love, not ticking off an endless list of combinations. Keep your list manageable, choose the people who matter most to you, and work with your photographer to make everything run smoothly. A little planning beforehand can make a huge difference to how relaxed your wedding day feels. And remember, you don't have to spend your entire drinks reception posing for photographs to have a beautiful gallery full of people you love.

As your Surrey wedding photographer, my aim is to capture the big moments, the little moments and all the wonderfully chaotic bits in between, while making sure you actually get to enjoy your wedding day, too!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many group photos should we have at our wedding?

There's no fixed number, but a short, considered list is usually easier to manage than lots of individual combinations. Think about the people and groupings that matter most to you, then discuss timings with your photographer. I personally recommend around 10 photos is the sweet spot for keeping the flow of your day.

When is the best time to take wedding group photos?

This depends on your ceremony time, venue and schedule. Many couples take them shortly after the ceremony or during the drinks reception. Your photographer can help you choose a time that works for your plans.

Who should decide which group photos we have?

You should! Your photographer can offer advice on practicalities and timings, but the final list should reflect the people and relationships that are important to you.

Getting married in Surrey or Hampshire?

If you're looking for natural, joyful wedding photography with a relaxed approach and a little help keeping your day running smoothly, I'd love to hear about your plans.

Let's make some magic! Happy wedding planning! Lucy x