Shropshire Wedding Photographer


When you picture your wedding day, you probably imagine all the little moments, happy tears, shaking your booty on the floor and deffo a big ol' slab of cake. What you might not imagine is standing in one spot for 45 minutes while your photographer tries to get all the distant cousins, college friends and Aunt Susan’s new partner for group photo's with a time restriction that's looming over their head. Yet that’s exactly what happens to many couples because group photos aren’t planned properly.

Group photos are important, yet they're boring sometimes. That's why you want to get them done as quick as possible so you can enjoy your day! They’re your chance to capture the people you love most in one place at the same time, which doesn't happen often with families and friends. But without structure they can easily eat up your precious time and energy (oh god, the energy). Here’s how to keep them meaningful, efficient and drama-free.

Wedding party poses in a rustic stone archway during an outdoor celebration at The Courtyard Venue, Oswestry.
Wedding party poses together against rustic stone wall on autumn day

Limit Your Group Photos to No More Than 8


This is the single most powerful thing you can do to save your sanity. It’s tempting to create a long list of every possible family and friend combination “one with grandparents, one with grandparents and siblings, one with grandparents and siblings and partners…” and so on. But here’s the truth your photographer will tell you: each group photo can take up to 10 minutes to arrange and adding, removing people can get very overwhelming for everyone.

Ten minutes might not sound like much, but multiply that by 15 different combinations and suddenly an hour and a half of your drinks reception is gone. That’s an hour and a half when you’re not stuffing your face with canapés and actually chatting to your fave peeps.

By limiting yourself to no more than eight group shots, you really focus on having the groups that mean the most to YOU, as a couple. You’ll still have them but you’ll also have time to actually experience your wedding. Think of it as “quality over quantity.” Ask yourself: which group shots will genuinely make you smile 20 years from now? Choose those and let go of the rest.

Wedding party poses together in front of green wall wearing mint suits and lavender bridesmaid dresses at Stanford Barn
A wedding party stands under brick archways in a series of black and white photographs showing progression of movement at Chester Zoo,
A group in formal attire poses together outdoors on a gravel path with autumn fields in the background at Tower Hill Barns.

Create Your List in Advance (and Share It!)

Remember, these are for you and no-one else. As a photographer, I don't know your family dynamics. I don't know who gets on with who. So it's important to ensure these groups work for you and your ride or dies.


Once you’ve chosen your essential groups, write them down in the exact order you want them taken and if some of your groups contain the same people, but them one after the other don't put one at the start and one at the end because it'll only annoy people having to go away and then come back. For example:


What your group shot list should look like:

Group 1 - The Mitchell's

Includes: The Couple, Peggie, Phil. Grant. Sharon, Roxy, Ben

Group 2 - The Beals's

Includes: The Couple, Ian, Sindy, Lucy, Peter, Bobby

Group 3 - The Windsor's

Includes: The Couple, Charles, Camilla, WIlliam, Harry


I always send a questionnaire, to fill in a create your shot list and it's editable so nothing is set in stone but always make sure your final group shot list is done 2 weeks before your wedding.

A wedding party sits together on stone steps against a brick wall with white arched columns.
Wedding party poses in a greenhouse conservatory with lush tropical plants and natural light filtering through glass panels.
A group of wedding guests pose together outside a brick building with Tudor-style architecture and autumn decor

Recruit Your Wedding Gang as “Photo Wranglers”


Your wedding gang, your best friends, siblings or whoever you asked to stand beside you on your day, aren’t just there to fluff your dress, hold bouquets or deliver a speech. One of their most crucial behind-the-scenes jobs is helping coordinate the group photos.

They’re the ones who actually know your guests. They can spot Uncle Dave at the bar, track down your uni mate or help give ya Grandma a linked arm to where she needs to be. Ask two or three of them in advance to be your “photo wranglers.” Make sure you explain the importance of efficiency and working as a team with your photographer.

This takes the pressure off you. You get to stay relaxed and smiling while someone else does the rounding up. Your photos will move much faster, often twice as fast, which means you get back to the real reason you're there, CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE AND HAVE FUN!

Family group poses outdoors under green trees at wedding with bride in white dress and colorful floral bouquet at Lyde Court
A group in formal wedding attire poses together against a rustic wooden wall outdoors.
Wedding party poses under floral arch in outdoor garden setting with pink and formal attire.

Avoid Shouting Out Names


It may feel natural for someone to stand in the middle of the crowd and shout, “Next up: the bride and groom with all the cousins!” BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANNA DO!!!

It can create confusion and noise. People start around trying to figure out if they’re included or not. Second, it risks hurting feelings. Someone might hear a group being called and assume they’re part of it, only to be told “Actually, no, not you.” That’s awkward for everyone. No-one want's that, ew!

The better approach, have your photo wranglers quietly approach the next group on the list. They can say, “Hey, you’re up for photos next. Can you head over to the garden?” This feels personal, respectful and organised. Guests do appreciate the gentle guidance rather than a public roll call.

Wedding party stands together on grassy hill during outdoor autumn celebration.
Wedding party sits together on a bench against a rustic metal wall wearing formal attire and a white bridal gown.
Three women in elegant dresses pose together outside a historic Tudor-style building entrance with autumn flowers.
Groomsmen in matching tan suits and brown shoes lean against stone wall under covered walkway at wedding venue.

Choose Photos You’ll Cherish — Not Just What Others Expect


This is your wedding. The group photos should reflect the people and relationships most meaningful to you both as a couple, not a sense of obligation. It’s common to think, “We need a photo with every single guest or Aunt Betty will be upset.” But 20 years from now, will that be the photo you frame and hang on your wall?

Focus on the groups you REALLY want. Maybe that’s your grandparents, your wedding party and your immediate families or even your best friends who you grew up with. Remember, if you've got me as your photographer I will try and capture plenty of candid moments throughout the day, so you’ll still have memories of all your guests without formal line-ups which are deffo treasured more.

This mindset shift is freeing. Instead of feeling guilty about who’s included, you’re making intentional choices about your legacy images the ones you’ll look at on anniversaries, show to everyone and keep forever. And often, as time moves on they're loved more and more.

The Bottom Line


Group photos at your wedding don’t have to be a stressful time for anyone. By limiting your list to eight essential shots, getting your wedding gang as photo wranglers and avoiding public name-calling you’ll create a smooth and chilled experience for everyone.

The result? You’ll get them group shots you want and you’ll still have plenty of time to hug your guests, eat your canapés and make actual memories. After all, that’s what your wedding day is really about. Making memories, not just taking pictures.

Large wedding party poses together in front of a brick building with arched columns and windows.