Family of 14 Posing

[Tumeg]

Yeah, I searched here, and through flickr, and can't find what I am looking for.
My family (mom's side) wants me to take a family portrait of them all (14 people). My Grandparents want to blow it up, and of course hang it.
SO.... I need some help with posing. I have one or two ideas, but not sure if they will really work out.
I also need some help with the aperture to use, I am thinking since there is going to be 14 faces, I'd say f/11 or smaller. I will be using my 50mm f/1.4, on a tripod, with the self timer (Since they want me in it, and I don't have a remote).
So maybe even a smaller aperture, so the entire photo is in focus, so when I run in I will also be in focus.

So... my posing ideas are:
Grandparents standing in the center, with my mom, and her brother standing on each side, turning towards them, with their faces facing the camera. (I am thinking have my mom stand next to her dad, and my uncle, next to my mom) Then I can my dad kneel in sort of to the side of, and in front of my mom, and my Aunt do the same infront of my uncle, then infront of my mom and dad, me and my brother can sit\kneel, and in front of my uncle\aunt have their 3 kids sit\kneel around them, with my aunt\uncle's grandkids (2 of them, about 2 years old) sitting on laps.

Sorta hard to explain, hopefully easier to imagine. Any suggestions, comments, or concerns on this idea are welcome, I will try making an example with some stick people. lol.

[eddarr]

It may be easier if the grandparents are sitting. This allows more options with staggering everyone else by height. Will you be able to keep a fairly fast shutter speed? That many people is going to be tough to keep everyone still. You may want to invest in a remote especially if you going to use any fill flash. That way you can surprise them and get most of them with their eyes open. You can also spray and pray and layer photos to get everyones eyes open.

[Tumeg]

I am not exactly sure yet when we will be doing this,
But I should be able to do a fast shutter speed.
I will be using my 430EX on board, I will try some with the diffuser and some without. I am absolutely broke at the moment, so I might be able to beg my parents for a remote.
We will be doing this outside at a local park, in mid day (well, maybe not, too harsh of lighting) so if we do it, it will probably be in the morning, or if it is overcast, in mid day and if needed use flash as fill.
The park we will be doing it at has a huge gutter, with nice big steps on the sides with moss growing (the gutter is empty) so I might be able to arrange them nicely on the steps as well.

[chauncey]

Park..outside..midday---pray for a cloudy day and/or a lot of shade.

If you get any high contrast sun and shade, getting the correct exposure is almost impossible with your goals.

Visit the site in advance and take some random shots, just to get a "feel" for your problems and make the adjustments in advance.