Formal Shot list

A wedding party posing for a photo in the mountains.

A bride and groom kissing in the woods.

A bride and her bridesmaids pose for a photo in the woods.

A group of bridesmaids and groomsmen pose for a photo in the mountains.

Two bridesmaids posing for a photo in the woods.

Two grooms hugging each other in the woods.

The bride and her bridesmaids pose for a photo in the mountains.

You spend months (sometimes years) planning your wedding—but when the day arrives, it flies by faster than you can imagine. One thing we often hear from couples after the fact? “I wish we had gotten a photo with…” That’s where a formal shot list comes in.

While so much of the day is about candid, documentary-style moments, the formal portraits are a chance to intentionally capture the people who raised you, shaped you, and stood beside you.

This guide will help you build a family photo list that reflects your relationships, keeps the day moving smoothly, and honors the people who matter most.

Why a Shot List Matters

Weddings are joyful and chaotic. People wander. Emotions run high. It’s easy to forget who you wanted photos with in the moment.

A clear, simple shot list helps us move efficiently and ensures we don’t miss anyone important. It also allows you to be present, instead of trying to remember combinations on the fly.

Want help fitting family photos into your timeline? Read Scheduling Your Day

When to Do Family Photos

You can do formal portraits before or after the ceremony. If you’re doing a first look, we can capture most family groupings beforehand, which gives you more time at cocktail hour.

If you wait until after the ceremony, we recommend extending cocktail hour slightly (especially if your family is large or you want lots of combinations).

Our Shooting Beforehand post walks through how to structure pre-ceremony portraits.

Who Should Be in Formal Portraits?

That’s entirely up to you. Most couples include immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents), wedding party, and sometimes extended family or special chosen family (godparents, close family friends, etc.).

If there are any sensitive dynamics (divorced parents, missing family members, estrangements), let us know ahead of time. We’ll navigate everything with empathy, discretion, and care.

Sample Formal Shot List

Use this as a starting point. You don’t have to do them all—choose what feels right for your relationships.

Couple + Partner 1’s Family

Couple + Partner 1’s parents
Couple + Partner 1’s parents + siblings
Couple + Partner 1’s grandparents
Partner 1 + parents
Partner 1 + siblings
Partner 1 + grandparents

Couple + Partner 2’s Family

Couple + Partner 2’s parents
Couple + Partner 2’s parents + siblings
Couple + Partner 2’s grandparents
Partner 2 + parents
Partner 2 + siblings
Partner 2 + grandparents

Couple + Both Families

Couple + both sets of parents
Couple + all immediate family

Couple + Wedding Party

Couple + entire wedding party
Couple + bridesmaids
Couple + groomsmen
Partner 1 + bridesmaids
Partner 2 + groomsmen
Partner 1 + wedding party
Partner 2 + wedding party

Optional / Special Groupings

Couple + godparents
Couple + nieces/nephews
Couple + chosen family
Couple + extended family
Couple with pets (yes, we love those too!)

Pro Tips for Smooth Family Photos

Assign a wrangler. Ask a friend or planner who knows your family to help gather people. This keeps things moving.
Share your list in advance. Send us the list before the wedding so we can have it ready.
Use first names if possible. Instead of “bride’s uncle,” write “Uncle Dan.” It makes things clearer.
Start with larger groupings. Begin with big combos (all family) and then release people once they’re done.
Communicate expectations. Let your family know ahead of time when and where portraits will be. No one likes being surprised or rushed.
Leave time. Family photos usually take 20–30 minutes depending on size and complexity. Build it into the timeline.

Our Final Checklist includes a reminder to finalize and send us your list.

A Note on Chosen Family & Representation

Your formal shot list is about more than tradition—it’s about inclusion. Whoever holds significance in your life deserves to be seen.

Whether it’s two moms, a grandfather who raised you, or your best friend who’s like a sibling, we will always honor the story you bring.

Let us know who matters. We’ll make sure they’re captured.

Should You Include Extended Family?

It depends on your priorities and timeline.

If groupings like “cousins on dad’s side” or “extended family photo with grandparents” are important, absolutely include them. Just keep in mind that extended family groupings take longer, especially if you have a large guest count.

Another option: do immediate family/formal photos pre-ceremony, and reserve 1–2 extended groupings during cocktail hour or reception.

How Many Photos Should You Include?

We recommend 15–25 groupings total for family/wedding party. This keeps the session flowing without overwhelming you. More is possible—but it takes more time, and sometimes pulls you away from the celebration.

Ask yourself: which photos will matter most in 10 years?

What About Formal Photos of Just the Couple?

While not part of the family shot list, we’ll also do intentional portraits of just the two of you—either pre-ceremony or at golden hour.

Read our Let’s Get Intimate guide for more on capturing couple portraits that feel authentic, not stiff.

Formal photos don’t have to feel formal. They can feel like celebration, like connection, like love in its clearest form. The key is clarity, communication, and trust.

We’ll guide you through the process and bring presence to every frame.

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Single photos with each of your Partners Groups

A man and woman walk on a wooden path through a field with tall pine trees and misty mountains in the background.

A bride and groom share a first dance in the center of a dimly lit, elegantly decorated reception hall with round tables and chandeliers.

A bride and groom stand side by side outdoors on partially snowy ground, with the bride holding a colorful bouquet. The photo is cropped at their shoulders.

A bride and groom stand on rocky terrain overlooking a lake, with mountains and snow-capped peaks in the background.

A couple in formal attire kisses under a wooden structure at night, with snow falling and illuminated in the background, creating a dramatic effect.

A silhouetted man skips a stone across a calm lake at sunset while a silhouetted woman stands watching in the foreground.

A bride and groom share a kiss on the dance floor at their wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests in a banquet hall.

A bride and groom laughing joyfully during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests clapping and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Bride in white dress and veil leans on groom in suit during outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background.

A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors at night, surrounded by guests holding sparklers, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.

A bride and groom walk through a crowd of guests holding sparklers at night, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.

A bride and groom in formal attire stand holding hands by a large, calm lake under a cloudy, dramatic sky, facing away from the camera.

A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding a bouquet, with autumn trees and cloudy skies in the background.

A bride and groom stand together indoors at a bar with brick walls decorated with various brewery signs and vintage decor.

A couple stands facing each other at dusk by a river and waterfall, silhouetted against the fading light.

A bride and groom walk down a rainy alley at night, surrounded by people blowing bubbles and taking photos; their shadows are cast on the brick walls.

A couple stands on rocky terrain at a mountain summit, with the woman in a red dress and the man in formal attire, sharing a kiss under a cloudy sky.

Two people are in a dimly lit bedroom; one is sitting on the bed while the other stands behind, appearing to do their hair or makeup. The room has brick walls and framed pictures.

A bride in a white dress feeds a groom in a vest and tie outside a food truck labeled "Cheese Curds" at night.

A bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other outdoors, with rocky hills and green trees in the background.

A bride and groom dance together in a warmly lit barn while guests watch and smile in the background.

A bride in a white wedding dress sits indoors reading a note, while a small dog looks up at her on a wooden floor.

A bride in a strapless dress wipes her eye while holding paper, surrounded by guests at an outdoor wedding ceremony.

A bride stands on a wooden bridge in the background, while a groom in a blue suit stands in the foreground, slightly out of focus. Trees surround the bridge.

A bride and groom stand holding hands in front of a large window set in a brick wall, looking at each other.

A woman and a man reach toward each other, with the man appearing upside down due to a mirror effect, near a lake with trees and mountains in the background.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a military uniform sit closely together on a wooden swing outdoors, touching foreheads.

A man in a vest and tie and a woman in a lace dress lie side by side, holding hands, partially submerged in clear water with rocks visible below.

A bride and groom share a kiss indoors at their wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background watching.

A couple stands together on a sandy beach at night, illuminated from behind, with rain or mist falling around them and palm trees in the background.

A couple in wedding attire embrace on a grassy hill at sunset, with large orange clouds and trees in the background.

Two men in tuxedos dance together at an outdoor wedding reception under a tent, with seated guests watching in the background.

A man and a woman in formal attire hold coconuts in front of their faces while standing outdoors among palm trees.

A bride and groom walk together on a snowy path through a field at sunset, with hills in the background.

A bride in a lace wedding dress and an older man in a suit wipe away tears while standing outdoors near stairs.

A bride and groom stand holding hands outdoors in front of green trees, looking at each other.

A bride and groom stand together under a large tree in an open grassy field at sunset.

A bride and groom sit on a wooden fence overlooking a scenic mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and autumn colors.

A woman in a lace wedding dress smiles with her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand in a relaxed pose.

A bride and groom stand outdoors under green and yellow autumn trees, facing each other and smiling, with the bride holding a bouquet.

A couple in formal attire sits waist-deep in a clear rocky river, facing each other closely and touching foreheads with hands on each other's faces.

A couple in formal wedding attire holds hands and walks beside a lake at sunset, with trees and clouds in the background.

A couple dressed in wedding attire stands together, the groom in a blue suit and the bride in a lace dress holding a bouquet of flowers, looking at each other and smiling.

A woman in a lace off-shoulder wedding dress and veil sits, smiling, with her hair styled in loose curls and wearing a necklace.

Two men in dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one is smiling with hands over his mouth while the other looks down, holding a bag.

A person in formal attire is partially visible through a doorway, while another person in a white garment stands in the foreground holding the door handle.

A bride in a lace wedding dress leans against a man in a navy suit, looking directly at the camera, with greenery in the blurred background.

A bride and groom stand facing each other at opposite sides of a narrow hallway, with a large window behind them letting in natural light.

A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet while standing next to a groom in a tuxedo, outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.

A man and woman in formal clothing float on their backs in a small pool of water surrounded by large rocks and a forested area.

A couple in wedding attire embraces outdoors at sunset, with a dramatic cloudy sky and distant hills in the background.

A bride and groom stand outside facing each other; the bride is smiling and holding a piece of paper, with outdoor scenery in the background.

A bride and groom stand close together, smiling and touching noses, with a wedding veil draped around them outdoors.

A bride in a white hooded shawl stands in the foreground, with a groom in a suit behind her, both on a snowy overlook with a metal railing.

A couple shares a dramatic dip and kiss on the dance floor during a formal event, with guests seated and watching in the background.

Overhead view of a couple embracing on a wooden floor next to a decorated table with chairs, surrounded by scattered plates, cups, and floral arrangements.

A bride and groom embrace near a railing at sunset by a river, with a bridge and bare trees in the background.

A groom lifts and spins his bride on the dance floor as guests watch at a wedding reception in a decorated venue.

Two men in white dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one smiles with hands covering his mouth while the other looks down, holding a garment bag.

Two women in floral robes sit in a softly lit room; one applies makeup to the other, who is seated near a window, with their reflection visible on a shiny surface below.

A woman in a lace wedding dress walks down a hallway, seen from behind in black and white.

A bride in a strapless dress stands facing a patterned wall while a man in a vest and glasses stands facing her. The image is in black and white.

A bride in a white lace gown walks hand-in-hand with a groom in a formal military uniform on a dirt road at sunset.

A bride and groom stand facing each other by a lake at sunset, silhouetted against a partly cloudy sky.

A woman in a white dress and floral headpiece stands between partially open glass doors in a softly lit room.

A couple stands close together in silhouette, facing each other outdoors with mountains and a setting sun in the background.

A woman in a wedding dress stands in a dimly lit room with exposed brick walls and hanging light bulbs.

A couple stands close together under a tree at night, silhouetted against a bright light in the background.

A woman pins a boutonniere onto an older man's lapel outdoors, while another man in sunglasses smiles nearby.

A bride and groom stand holding hands, facing a group of people outdoors under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride and groom kiss while dancing together at their wedding reception in a warmly lit venue with guests in the background.

A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors at sunset, both dressed in formal wedding attire.

A bride in a white dress sits by a brick wall in dim lighting, illuminated by a soft spotlight with hanging light bulbs visible above.

A bride and groom kiss on the dance floor at their wedding reception, with sunlight shining behind them and guests seated in the background.

A bride in a wedding dress and a man in formal attire walk toward a large barn-like building at sunset.

Two men in tuxedos embrace outdoors; one man in a white jacket hugs the other from behind. Green foliage and a wooden fence are in the background.

A woman in a wedding dress looks out from behind a glass door while a man stands on a wooden terrace outside, facing away.

A silhouetted couple stands close together outdoors at dusk, surrounded by dark trees and illuminated by fading light.

A couple in formal attire walks hand-in-hand outdoors at sunset, with a barn and trees in the background. The scene is in black and white.

A bride and groom stand closely together on a grassy field with a white sky background, silhouetted against the horizon.

A bride in a white dress approaches a groom in a suit from behind on an outdoor balcony, with a snowy landscape in the background.

A man in a suit and a woman in a white dress with a pearl necklace stand close together in dim lighting, facing each other.

A bride in a white gown is seen through a glass door, with her reflection also visible, and a large planter with red flowers outside.

A person in a lace dress is partially illuminated against a dark background, holding the bottom of the dress with one hand.

A man and woman stand facing each other on a road at night, illuminated by bright backlighting that creates a dramatic silhouette effect.

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