Comprehensive Guide to Creating your Wedding Family Group Photos Checklist: Guide + Sample

Katie Mae Williams
Mar 3
4 min read

Updated: Mar 30

Creating a "shot list" ahead of your wedding is essential for getting through the family photos. Let me help you in making this part of your day as painless as possible!

Group of people celebrating outdoors with arms raised, mountains in the background. The bride in white holds flowers. Joyful mood.

DISCLOSURE

Before we dive in, I want to show support for all of the couples who have nontraditional families (blended families, same-sex parents, single-parents, divorced parents, cohabitating couples, adoptions, grandparents raising grandchildren, ect). The concept of “family” has evolved over time, and there is no longer one dominant family type. If your family does not fit this sample perfectly, it doesn’t make the group of people that love and guide you through life any less of a family. No matter what your family looks like, I am so excited to embrace them and photograph them on one of the most special days of your life.

I also want to acknowledge those who have dealt with loss in their family. I am so very sorry if there is a person on this list who has passed on before they can celebrate this special day with you. Know there are still ways to include them and commemorate them on your special day, and I’d be more than happy to talk through some of those options with you.

I also would like to recognize those dealing with strained relationships with family members. I know that in theory, your engagement and wedding planning period should be a fun time. Sometimes family members that are simply being toxic can add an extra layer of stress. This part of the day can cause anxiety for some couples. If you are feeling a bit awkward about a certain family dynamic during group photos, know I will do everything I can to alleviate that. For example, if 2 family members do not get along or if you don’t want a family member in a certain photo, alert me if you feel comfortable doing so. We will figure it out beforehand so the day-of, it’s not a point of stress for you.

Finally, I want to take a moment to be inclusive toward all LGBTQIA+ couples! This sample has "bride" and "groom" but I want it to be known this can easily be replaced with "spouse a" and "spouse b." Everyone is welcome here!

I know that is a giant disclosure to a pretty short sample list, but I feel like it’s necessary. Family is such an important part of a wedding/elopement day. It can be a sensitive topic for some people and I want all of my couples and their support systems to feel validated and comfortable!

Sample List

This is the most basic possible sample list which includes minimal combinations. It is a great place to start when constructing a list to fit your particular family dynamics. It is optimal for those looking to take photos with just immediate family, and to keep things moving quickly during this portion of the day. Feel free to copy and paste this list into a Google Doc and add in or take out shots to your liking.

Pro tip: Replace all the titles with the names to it easier to call everyone out day-of.

Example: replace"groom's dad" with "Steve"
Example: replace "maternal grandparents" with "Gerald and Bonnie"

Groom’s Family

✅ Bride & groom, groom's maternal grandparents

✅ Bride & groom, groom's paternal grandparents

[Excuse grandparents so they can sit down.]

✅ Bride & groom, groom's mom, groom's dad

✅ Bride & groom, groom's mom, groom's dad, and groom's siblings

✅ Bride & groom, groom's mom, groom's dad, groom's siblings w/ their spouses

✅ Bride & groom, groom's siblings w/ their spouses and children

✅ Bride & groom, groom's siblings

✅ Bride & groom, groom's niece or nephew

✅ Groom, sibling

✅ Groom, sibling w/ their spouse

✅ Groom, groom's mom

✅ Groom, groom's dad

Bride's Family

✅ Bride & groom, bride's maternal grandparents

✅ Bride & groom, bride's paternal grandparents

[Excuse grandparents so they can sit down.]

✅ Bride & groom, bride's mom, bride's dad

✅ Bride & groom, bride's mom, bride's dad, and bride's siblings

✅ Bride & groom, bride's mom, bride's dad, bride's siblings w/ their spouses

✅ Bride & groom, bride's siblings w/ their spouses and children

✅ Bride & groom, bride's siblings

✅ Bride & groom, bride's niece or nephew

✅ Bride, sibling

✅ Bride, sibling w/ their spouse

✅ Bride, bride's mom

✅ Bride, bride's dad

Shots You Might Want to Consider Adding On...

Maybe the above list doesn’t include every shot important to you. Take a moment to think if there is anything you would like to add on. Here are a few examples to help:
- Individuals of the bride and groom with each grandparent
- Individuals of the bride and groom with nieces / nephews
- Bride and groom with aunts / uncles
- Bride and groom with cousins
- Just bride’s / groom's parents together
- Just bride’s / groom's grandparents together
- Both families together for one big group photo

Five people smiling, dressed formally, in a grassy outdoor setting. Women hold bouquets; mood is joyful. Trees in the background.

Bride in lace gown holding bouquet stands with three others by a river. Green trees in background, sunny day, warm mood.

That’s all it takes to create the family shot list for your wedding or elopement day! When you hire me, I will have your personalized shot list printed out and on a clipboard come the day of, ready to cross them off as we go. When everyone arrives on time and ready for photos, this allows me to capture each photo quickly and efficiently — you will love the organization and your crew will be surprised at how easy it it goes!

Planning your wedding or elopement?

Hi! I would be honored to capture your day and help make it unforgettable.

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