Re the photos - my advice is to ask to look at other people's albums (for ideas both of what you DO want, and what you DON't want)
Then write a list of all the photos you want.
In detail....ie the names of who is in the photo, not just 'bride's family).
Print it out. Give one to the photographer. Give another copy to someone responsible (preferably someone who is also organised and who has a little bit of charm).
Then get that person (might be an usher or might be a random cousin or friend who is willing to help) to go and fetch the people for the next photograph.
This way the photographer concentrates on the shots - lighting / person standing behind someone in a giant hat / background / shadows / etc and as they finish one shot, the 'helper person' has the next people lined up ready to go.
Makes the photos much quicker, and, more importantly, you don't look back on the photos later an realise Aunty Doris is missing from the family one as she never heard people shouting for 'Groom's family' or Uncle Fred isn't on any photos because he'd nipped out to the car to get something.
Plus, start with the biggest Group "Groom's extended family" or whatever and then strip people away / let them wander off when not needed, rather than starting with 'B&G', then adding parents, then adding house family, then extended family etc etc. People are likely to be ready to be on a photo at the start then drift away once the photos get going, making it harder to get everyone together.