4 Tips to Get the Best Bridal Party Photos (Without Spending HOURS on Your Wedding Day)!

Today I’m answering a frequently asked question about bridal parties and how to handle photos with your whole group on your wedding day! It’s a common one because (1) most couples have a bridal party whether it’s large or small, and (2) most people don’t want to devote hours to those photos on the wedding day, when it comes down to it.

Actually, I don’t want it to take over your day either! I want to get you on to your cocktail hour and visiting with guests.

I’ll let you in on some secrets — Here’s how I plan for ALL of your bridal party photos in 30-45 minutes:

1. You can do these all in one general location, no need to location hop! Pick one great spot whether it’s a park, forest, or a couple city blocks (even better if it’s at or near your venue), and we can get several different backdrops + visual variety by simply walking a few minutes in different directions. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to overthink it. Hire a photographer you trust, and they’ll help you choose the best location!

2. Stay hydrated. With water. Sounds boring, I know, but let your bridal party know that they will have the entire rest of the afternoon/evening besides these 45 minutes to enjoy cocktails + celebrate with you! Plus these portraits move SO much quicker if everyone gives their full attention + we can get everyone wrangled + have their eyes open at the same time. Almost all my bridal parties comment afterwards how quick it actually goes + how easy it is — then you can quickly move on to cocktail hour (yay)!

3. Account for travel + some extra/buffer time. Because it’s such a busy day with lots of moving parts, transporting people, and other logistics, sometimes things run behind schedule. If you plan in advance for that, it won’t feel stressful if/when things run behind, you’ll have a plan + be able to relax!

4. Have fun with it! More than just smiling for the camera, try to enjoy the portraits — you’ll be surrounded by some of your favorite people so it should make for some happy faces, jokes, and all-around fun. Embrace that! I promise I’ll never ask you to fake laugh or do a huge fake smile, and you won’t need to because you’ll have real smiles + be genuinely joyful.

That’s it! These simple ideas are what help my couples get some of their favorite photos (with their favorite people) on their wedding day, all while having a great time and making it to part of their own cocktail hour.

Anything you think that’s missing? Extra advice? Feel free to email me: laurelynsavannah@gmail.com and let me know what you’ve found works well for bridal party portraits!

Find more images from the weddings in this post here:
Erika + David (Lincoln Park, Chicago)
Kylee + Nick (The Ridge, Lake Geneva)
Sarah + Charles (Rustic Manor 1848, Delafield)
Annie + Keegan (Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, Egg Harbor)
Laura + Zach (Discovery World, Milwaukee)
Kara + Tyler (Ramhorn Farm, Mequon)