The perfect group photo frame for your wedding
It seems simple but taking photos with different people at a wedding can be treacherous. With limited time, your day may turn out differently as you hoped. Here's how to make the group photo perfect and make the day all the more fun.
1. Planning the group photos
Group photos should be 2 things and that is fun and quick. The biggest mistake you can make is that it will take too long and that is not fun for anyone. People who have already been in the photo need to move on nicely again. Therefore, always start with the big groups first so that most can go back.
These are usually the 3 group photo moments: after the firstlook, after the ceremony, during the reception.
Where after the firstlook, families are often photographed and after the ceremony the group photo is taken with all the day's guests. During the reception, most combinations are photographed.

2. Combinations + examples
Large groups | Medium-sized groups | Small groups |
---|---|---|
Everyone | Both families | Parents |
Hello guests | Family bride | Grandparents |
Evening guests | Family groom | Brothers + Sisters |
Family Bride | Friends + girlfriends | Pet |
Family Groom | All children | |
All women | Witnesses | |
All men | ||
Examples
Large groups example:
Time: 13:30-14:00 (After the ceremony)
Location: St James' Church
- Photo with all present
- Family Bride
- Family Groom
Medium-sized groups example:
Time: 16:30-17:00 (after cake)
Location: Ter Werve
- Group photo of both families:
-1 Hans Manders (father groom)
-2 Marleen Manders (mother groom)
-3 Sophie Manders (sister groom, ceremony master)
-4 Badri van Dijk (husband Sophie)
-5 Sjors Manders (brother groom)
-6 Thomas Manders (brother groom)
-7 Ralph Burger (father Bride)
-8 Jannie Burger (mother Bride)
-9 Niek Burger (Brother Bride)
Small groups example:
Time: 16:30-17:00 (after cake)
Location: Ter Werve
- Group photo all parents + Bridal couple:
-1 Hans Manders (father groom)
-2 Marleen Manders (mother groom)
-3 Ralph Burger (father Bride)
-4 Jannie Burger (mother Bride)
- Group photo parents Bride + Bridal couple:
-1 Ralph Burger (father Bride)
-2 Jannie Burger (mother Bride)
3. Tips on taking group photos
- The announcer
To make the group photos go twice as fast, an announcer is needed. This can be the ceremony master if he or she knows the families. What works even better is if there are two announcers. One from each family so together they know who everyone is. The announcers collect the next two group photos each time.
- The photobooth
When you want lots of spontaneous group photos with your guests, the photobooth very nice to take a picture with someone like this without any obligations. Click here to our photobooth to see.
- Go through the group photos with the photographer
Based on the location and the amount of group photos. It is always useful to go through how long you will be working for approximately. In case of bad weather, you can then immediately come up with a plan B.
- Children and older first
Children are impatient and older ones cannot stand for long therefore they are among the first to go. For the older ones, therefore, it is convenient to bring a chair if they are not well on their feet for the group photos. If they are in a wheelchair but can stand, I ask what they like. If they want to sit in a chair, I place two to four chairs in the group.
Children as one of the first but not the very first because they need to see how to be in the group photo first. These photos need to be done quickly. Start with the normal photos first and make the photos a little crazier each time.
Parents still want to give input but this should be the photographer as quickly as possible because the children will stop listening.
- Plan only the important group photos and leave the rest spontaneous.
Make two lists: One with the must-have group photos and a second with people you would like to have your photo taken with when there is time or when you are talking to them.
[...] often match. The wedding cake is often cut at the beginning of the reception for the group photos, or as dessert. Should you want to save these cakes, you can do so using the Pinterest button [...]