Group photos at weddings can be really meaningful. It’s often the only time certain groups of family or friends are all in one place, and there’s something really special about capturing it. At the same time, lots of couples I work with are keen to spend most of their time celebrating, not standing still – so how can you make the whole thing go as smoothly (and swiftly!) as possible?

Group wedding photo with four groomsmen next to groom and four bridesmaids in lilac dresses next to bride. Standing under tree in park.
Group wedding photo taken under tree in the rain with bride groom and six of their family

Here's five top tips for group wedding photos:


1.Do them straight after the ceremony

The reason I suggest doing groups straight after the ceremony (if you can) is that everyone is in one place, so it’s usually much easier and more efficient to do them now, rather than trying to round people up later. It’s also usually a point in the day when people are still feeling relatively fresh!  


2.Nominate one or two people in your wedding party to help with rounding people up. 

The whole thing can flow much more easily if someone is busy gathering up people for the next photo. It helps if they know quite a lot of the guests, and if they’re not afraid to be nicely firm (if you have any friends who are teachers, they’re usually GREAT for this gig!). Give them a print out to help.  

Bride and three bridesmaids in navy dresses pose and laugh for photo with bouquets in the air
Whole group wedding photo from a height taken in grounds of Clock Barn Hall Surrey
Groom and six friends line up in their suits, many have a beer in hand, they look very relaxed

3.Limit the number of group photos.

It’s your wedding, and we’ll do as many as you want! But the longer you are standing for group photos, the less time you have socialising with your guests and getting the hugs and congrats that everyone wants to give you. I usually recommend a maximum of ten groups. You can always grab other people later in the day for some spontaneous extras!


4.Start big, get smaller.

If you want a group shot with everyone at the wedding, do that first, then people can head off and grab some refreshment if they’re no longer needed. If there is anyone in your wedding party with mobility issues, it can be a good idea to put their group early on too, so that they’re not having to stand around unnecessarily. 


5.Let your photographer know any family dynamics to be aware of. 

Weddings can be a wonderful time when families come together, but there can also be tricky moments too – if your photographer is aware of anything sensitive, they can help you navigate that for group photos in a gentle and helpful way.  

Five gents in pale blue suits stand in front of wedding entrance
Bride and bridesmaids in various pink dresses walk through field laughing and looking at each other
Group family wedding photo after ceremony in sunshine
Bride and four bridesmaids throw bouquets in the air

So how much time should you allow for group wedding photos?

Of course, it varies depending on the setting, the style of photo, and how amenable your guests are! But as rule of thumb I’d say allow ten minutes for a photo of all guests, five minutes for a large group, and 3 minutes for a small one. I can often do them quicker than that if everyone’s teed up ready to go, but it allows for a bit of flex. 


What if I don’t want any group photos at all?

As with any part of a wedding, there’s no ‘should’! It’s your day, your way – and if you don’t want group pics, you don’t need to have any – you can stick with relaxed, documentary-style photos all day long.