How to Create the Perfect Family Shot List
Creating a family shot list for your wedding might not be the most glamorous part of the planning process, but it's one of the most important. These are the photos you’ll frame, send to Grandma, and maybe even tear up over years down the road. So, how do you make sure you don’t miss anyone important without spending an hour taking photos during cocktail hour?
Here’s how to create the perfect family shot list, one that’s organized, meaningful, and keeps the day moving smoothly!
Photographer: Kari Sego
Who do You Include?
This part can get tricky, but here’s your golden rule: only include the people you'd be truly devastated not to have a photo with. That means immediate family, grandparents, and anyone you’re especially close to. If you wouldn’t frame it or treasure it, don’t add it just out of obligation.
Yes, that might mean skipping your Aunt Carol or your second cousin twice removed, but that’s okay! Keep the formal list tight so your photographer has time to grab fun, candid moments later on.
Use Real Names!
Please don’t write “Bride’s Aunt and Uncle” or “Groom’s Cousins.” When it's time to gather everyone, your planner or photographer won’t know who that is, when they're helping coordinate photos.
Instead, write everyone's full name (or whatever they go by), and label who they are in parentheses using common wedding lingo. FOG means father of groom, and SOB means sister of bride and so on! This keeps things stress-free and snappy on the big day. For example:
SOB (Sarah Thompson)
FOG & MOG (Ben & Dana Miller)
Photographer: Kari Sego
Other Helpful Tips
After the ceremony, most guests naturally head to cocktail hour to enjoy drinks and appetizers. But here’s the key, make sure your family members know ahead of time to stay behind for photos. Let them know before the wedding day (and remind them at the rehearsal if possible) that they’ll need to stay at the ceremony site or wherever family portraits are scheduled. This simple heads-up helps avoid delays and ensures no one accidentally slips away to grab a cocktail before their photo is taken.
Example Family Shot List
Always have the family shot list split into three sections, partner 1’s side, partner 2’s side and both sides, each line serves as one photo. You can customize your list based on your family dynamics, but here’s a clean and comprehensive starting point:
Meredith's side:
Meredith with MOB (Amy)
Meredith with MOB & FOB (Amy and Mike)
Meredith with FOB (Mike)
Meredith with BOB (Eric)
Meredith with MOB, FOB, & BOB (Amy, Mike, and Eric)
Meredith & Mitchell with MOB, FOB, and BOB (Amy, Mike, and Eric)
Meredith & Mitchell with BOB (Eric)
Meredith & Mitchell with MOB & FOB (Amy and Mike)
Mitchell's side:
Mitchell with MOG (Ann)
Mitchell with FOG (Todd)
Mitchell with MOG & FOG (Ann and Todd)
Mitchell with SOG (Lauren)
Mitchell with MOG, FOG, SOG, and BIL (Ann, Todd, Lauren, and Morgan)
Meredith & Mitchell with MOG, FOG, SOG, and BIL (Ann, Todd, Lauren, and Morgan)
Meredith & Mitchell SOG (Lauren)
Meredith & Mitchell with MOG & FOG (Ann and Todd)
Both sides:
Meredith, Mitchell, MOB (Amy), FOB (Mike), BOB (Eric), MOG (Ann), FOG (Todd), SOG (Lauren), BIL (Morgan)
Meredith, Mitchell, MOB (Amy), FOB (Mike), MOG (Ann), FOG (Todd)
Meredith, Mitchell, BOB (Eric), SOG (Lauren), BIL (Morgan)
Photographer: Kari Sego
A thoughtful family shot list helps your wedding day flow seamlessly and ensures you walk away with the photos that matter most. Be intentional, stay organized, and lean on your planner and photographer for help. After all, these are the people who have your back, and the ones who know how to keep things on track with a smile.
