What is a family formal?
Family formals are simply formal photographs taken of close family members with the bride and groom on their wedding day.
When are family formals taken?
If you are having a large group photo taken of all of your guests after your ceremony, the family formals are usually taken directly after this. When all of your guests are gathered together it is a great opportunity for the photographer to announce the location of family formals and to encourage family members not to 'disappear'. At times family formals are delayed until a time during the reception however it is more difficult to gather everyone together at this stage, jackets may well have been removed and drinking has begun.
Are all family formals the same?
In short - no they are not.
Our aim is to create a timeless portrait of your family members which means attention to detail - the lighting, location, choosing the correct lens, position of family in the photograph, posing of family, removal of sunglasses etc. Paying attention to these things doesn't take long but it does make a huge difference to the final image.
How long do we need for family formals?
We recommend 3 mins for each photo - this includes gathering together the family members, positioning them in the photo and taking the photos. Therefore if you have 10 groups you will need to allow 30 minutes. Depending upon the couple we may be requested to photograph more or less groups however it is important to factor in the time it takes to capture these photos when putting together your timeline for the day.
Do I need a list of family formals?
Yes!! This is extremely important to ensure this part of the day runs smoothly. We can help you make up a list if you are unsure.
The list should include the names of each person and who they are.
eg. Bride and Groom + Grooms Parents (John and Mary)
Bride and Groom + Grooms Parents (John and Mary) + grooms siblings (Jilly and Sue)
A copy of the list should be given to your photographer a week before the wedding and also to a family member or member of the bridal party who knows the guests and can help identifying each group.