A Guide to Creating a Family Formals List

A Guide to Creating a Family Formals List

I love this part of the wedding day. This is when I get to meet my couple’s families and this is my first interaction with them! I always love to have a game plan when going into this part of the wedding day. Many times, family formals are a part of the wedding day that is overlooked but are often looked back on or printed.

With my Monica Ann brides, two months before the wedding I send a questionnaire that will ask for a full list of all family formals and other images that you want to be captured. I know that this can be intimidating at first, but I recommend sitting down with your Fiance and parents to make sure that all of the wanted images are on the full list to cut down the amount of scramble on the day of the wedding.

Here is a sample family formal list to help you in your planning and preparation of shots that you might want:

 

B&G with Bride’s Immediate Family 

(Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

B&G with Bride’s Parents

B&G with Bride’s Siblings

Bride with her Parents

Bride with Mom, Bride with Dad

B&G with Bride’s Grandparents

B&G with both sets of Parents

B&G with Groom’s Immediate Family

(Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

B&G with Groom’s Parents

B&G with Groom’s Siblings

Groom with his Parents

Groom with Mom, Groom with Dad

B&G with Groom’s Grandparents

B&G with all family members if time allows.

 

Keep in mind that you will want to limit the amount of family formal shots to 20 or less to not overwhelm yourself and keep the day moving. I also limit this time so that we will have enough dreamy light for your portraits together as Husband and Wife.

 

I would love to know, did this family formals list help you? Do you have any other wedding planning questions? Let’s chat in the comments about your wedding planning journey!