A guide to capturing speeches without eating up the timeline
Wedding speeches are often some of the most heartfelt and memorable moments of the day—but without a little planning, they can easily derail your timeline. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen how the right approach can make all the difference. That’s why I’ve created a guide to capturing speeches without eating up the timeline—so you can preserve the emotion, keep things flowing, and stay fully present in the moment.
Limit the number of speakers
To ensure the flow of speakers, keep the number between 2-4. This could be maid of honor, best man, parents. Encourage others to give speeches during the rehearsal dinner.
Keep speakers in one spot
To capture both the speech giver and your reactions, make sure that they stay close to you while talking. To much separation disturbs the story.
Have your DJ run the show
A professional DJ can help transition smoothly between each speaker to keep things moving. Also make sure that you talk to your DJ about who will be giving the speeches so he/she can make the announcement. Organizing the order of speakers should be done ahead of time, not the day of the wedding.
Consider no open mic time
If you want to keep the speakers limited consider opting out of an open mic. By doing this, we can stick to the timeline and the evening will continue to run smoothly.
This leads into easily capturing the right reactions
The best documentary-style photos aren’t just of the speech-giver but also both you and your guests reactions. I will be focusing on the key elements of everyone including the seated guests. Plus grabbing a view angled wide shots to get the entire perspective.
Final thoughts: save time by capturing emotion instead
I hope this guide to capturing speeches without eating up the timeline is helpful when planning your wedding day events. By keeping speeches flowing smoothly, and allowing your photographer to work in a more documented way, you can save time while ensuring every heartfelt moment is captured beautifully. The goal is to be present and enjoy the experience—while trusting that the best moments will be preserved forever.
Want more wedding photography tips? Let’s chat about how to make your wedding day feel effortless while capturing memories that last a lifetime!
