06/17/2026
Here is my biggest insider tip as a wedding photographer for brides and grooms wedding planning for this portion of the day.
One of the biggest secrets to keeping your wedding day running smoothly is preparing for family formals ahead of time. Create a detailed shot list with everyone’s names, assign a designated family member who knows everyone (and isn’t in every photo), let family know beforehand when portraits will take place, and break larger groupings into sections within your timeline. With a little preparation, family formals shouldn’t take long at all and can be completed efficiently, allowing you to get back to enjoying cocktail hour and celebrating with your favorite people. Save this for your wedding planning checklist.