Family photos before the ceremony: worth it?
Doing family photos before the ceremony can give you your whole drinks reception back. It also means seeing each other early. Here’s how to decide.
5 min read · Updated 7 October 2026
Traditionally, family photos happen straight after the ceremony. More couples now do some or all of them beforehand, often alongside a “first look”, where the couple see each other privately before the ceremony.
Why couples do it
- You get to enjoy your drinks reception instead of spending it in a line-up.
- Everyone looks their freshest: no wind, rain or a few drinks yet.
- Older relatives can do their photos and sit down before the ceremony starts.
- It takes pressure off the timeline if the ceremony and reception are far apart.
Why couples don’t
- You see each other before the ceremony, which some couples want to save.
- Family need to arrive early and be ready, which is harder with big families.
- Some relatives only arrive for the ceremony itself.
The middle ground
Many couples split it. Each of you does photos with your own family before the ceremony, separately, so you don’t see each other. Then the shots that need both of you happen afterwards. That usually cuts the post-ceremony list in half. Try both options in the wedding day timeline generator to see the difference.
A split plan
- 1Before: Partner A with parents, siblings and grandparentsWhile getting ready, at home or the hotel
- 2Before: Partner B with their familySame, separately
- 3After: Couple with each familyNow much quicker, because the individual shots are done
- 4After: Couple with both families and the wedding party
Tell your family the plan
If anyone is needed early, tell them a week ahead and give them a time. It’s the single thing that makes or breaks pre-ceremony photos.
Build your list and split it into before and after the ceremony, then send it to your photographer.
Make my family photo listQuestions people ask
Can you take family photos before the wedding ceremony?
Yes. Many couples take some or all family photos before the ceremony, often with each partner photographed separately with their own family.
Do family photos before the ceremony save time?
Usually. They free up the time straight after the ceremony, which lets the couple spend more of the drinks reception with guests.