Family photos: how long??

Honestly first look is the way to go. We started first look and photos at 4:30 or so. Then did family photos. We only had BM and MOH. All photos taken on site. Finished about 6:00. Ceremony at 6:30. Cocktails at 7:00. Dinner at 7:30. We stepped out with the photographer after dinner and toasts for a few more shots outside under the string lights.

She took pictures of just the two of us for about half the time. Then group pictures the other half.

You could do what we did and step out for a few more shots after dinner.

I don't think I've ever been to a wedding where they took photos with extended family... And I agree with Kelli. First look is the way to go and a total time saver.

We did 30 minutes of photos before the ceremony. Just the two of us, him with his kids, me with my son, us with all kids, us with all kids and their spouses, his entire family, my entire family, me and my sisters and mother, him and his siblings etc. It took 30 minutes because I had a list and photographer went thru it. We also told everyone to arrive at 1. So bar opened at 1, we did phots and all guests had drinks etc. Ceremony at 1:30. So our photos and family pics were out of the way. You can certainly do it in an hour I'd think.

We did not do extended family and only had a MOH and a BM. photos took about an hour. Everyone was within earshot so no hunting around for people.

First look all the way.

Extended family photos can bring you to at least an hour; deputize two people who know the sides of the family well so they can find them quicker.

I've never seen extended family professional photos done except maybe at some point during the dancing or something. At weddings I've attended that have done them, they grabbed family members after the dancing started or they did one big, quick photo on the altar after the ceremony and that was it.

In terms of immediate family photos, we told everyone who needed to be in them ahead of time and asked them not to move from the ceremony site (where the pictures were going to be) until pictures were over. We stood still, everyone lined up and we just did "ok parents in, grandparents in, siblings in, grandparents out, grooms parents in, grooms parents out, both families in, both families out." It took maybe 20 minutes.

Normal time it takes for the day of shooting...

60 minutes each - Bride/Groom Prep

30 minutes - Bridal Party Photos

30 minutes - Bride + Groom Photos

30 minutes - Family Photos (if you have large extended families, it may take longer)

15 minutes - Reception Decor Photos

10 minutes - Ceremony Decor Photos

We allotted 30 min for family photos, but we only did immediate family and I don't think it even took that long. I gave my photographer a list of names, not titles, so the second shooter called them out and they lined up for the pictures. I don't even like the my family formal shots because everyone looks goofy, uncomfortable and posed weird. The candids are much better.

We did a first look and took some wedding party photos before the wedding and we still had to take more photos after the ceremony. I think total, it took 2 hours. But I'm sure without a first look, photos of just the two of you won't take quite as long.

We also snuck away after the first dance to take sunset shots. If you don't want to miss your cocktail hour, you could nix taking photos together after the ceremony, just take wedding party and family shots, and mix sunset pictures into photos of just the two of you. We only missed a few songs doing that.

I met with a photographer this weekend and I was so against first looks until I spoke with her, a couple of reasons. Shouldn't take more than 20 mins tbh.

1) it's a HUGE time saver, especially if you have a big family, like me and FH do, we can get all our solo and bridal pictures out of the way.

2) It will NOT take away from when he sees you walking down the aisle, nothing will b.c it'll be "you walking towards your future husband, nothing can ever change that, first look or not"-photographer

You can take photos with your family during cocktail hour, sneak out for 30 mins, shouldn't take longer than that since you've already got a majority of your pictures taken during the first look.

Also, like @Reese said, you can take photos in different settings, a sunset shot was one my photographer spoke about.

I like to be done in 45 minutes, including bride and groom photos....my style keeps portrait posed groups to a minimum anyhow. this may not be the norm, but the norm is boring

I ended up only doing BP and immediate family (like bros/sisters, parents). I kind of regret it now, but we were losing sunlight and had no choice. It took us about a hour to do our pictures, bridal party, group, and family photos.

We didn't do a first look and had an hour for photos. We got through everything we wanted and more, because our photographer was awesome. When it came down to extended family, right after dinner we had the DJ make an announcement for whichever family was taking the photo to gather on the dance floor and we did them quick that way. We weren't looking for any formal posed photos though.

Sit down with your photographer and go over exactly who will be in your family portraits. I like to say no more than 4 "shots" each for bride and groom. For example:

Shot 1: Grandparents, parents, siblings, bride, groom (Bride's Side)

Shot 2: Parents, siblings, bride, groom (Bride Side)

Shot 3: Parents, bride, groom (Bride Side)

Shot 4: Parents, bride (Bride Side

Then move onto the groom's side. This is a very basic example. If you have one person designated to gather everyone who needs to be in pictures immediately following the ceremony this is made easier. Also, your officiant can make an announcement asking the immediate families to remain for portraits.

As long as your family portraits are done at/close to your venue, it doesn't take long to get them done. If you are leaving your venue to have portraits done elsewhere, this can definitely amp up the time it takes. I rarely encourage the inclusion of extended family at this time. If they would like portraits with the extended family, those can often be done sometime during the reception. A First Look definitely leaves more time to have portraits of the two of you as a couple. It just depends on the photographer you choose, and what portraits are important to you.