How to take a group photo with all your wedding guests

Where and when a photo of everyone works

If you have a big group of family and friends, there are multiple ways to photograph all of them at once. For a church wedding, the church often has stairs outside that make room for a large group. We can also use the altar, if it has different levels of steps for people to stand on.

Another option is the ceremony venue. Sometimes we do a group photo right after the ceremony, with everyone still at their chairs turning back as the couple exits the aisle. That one is not really as good, because not many people are prepared to be photographed at that moment.

One of the best ways to photograph everybody, and photograph them nicely, is during the reception. We take care of all the lighting, so even if the venue is not especially bright we can cover most of the people in attendance. The DJ makes an announcement right after the formalities, right before the dance floor opens.

Setting up the reception group photo

The couple stands facing the photographer and really close to the photographer. Otherwise you end up somewhere in the middle where nobody can see you. All of your guests gather behind you, to the left, to the right and to the back, basically forming a big circle of people around the two of you.

The DJ then calls several looks: a straight smile, hands up, a few funny ones. Because we are lighting the room ourselves, we can cover most of the people in attendance, which is why this beats the ceremony-exit version at most venues.

Using the group photo to open the dance floor

When all the photos are done, the DJ drops the beat and goes straight into open dancing. Everyone is already standing on the dance floor, so instead of waiting for the first brave guests to wander out, you have a full floor from the first song.

That is why we like this spot in the timeline. The photo warms up the dance floor faster than the usual slow start, and it gives us a natural bridge from formalities to the party, so the night keeps its energy without anyone having to herd guests.