Nailing your group shots and speeches – it’s time to gather up the squad and toast to forever! 

I’m not gonna lie, wrangling up the troops for group shots can be one helluva job, but I have some pro tips to make sure you get the most epic group shots with your family & friends! Not to mention all those candid moments as your person of honour has your guests ROLF-ing during speeches!

Ready to hear ‘em? Let’s get started:

Consider how long you want to spend doing group shots

Each group can take 3-5 mins (this soon adds up when you have every aunt and uncle on your shot list), and that is without having to chase down family members who have strayed off to the bar. I suggest sticking to immediate family and your bridal party. Any other groups can be taken a bit more candidly throughout the day, or even on the dance floor!

Find yourself a baby whisperer

Have someone keep young kids close by so we can take those shots as soon as they’re ready for it – we want to catch them at optimal napped/fed and happy time.

Create a plan B for your group shots!

Speak to your venue about the most ideal area for indoor pics if it is raining – you want a roomy area with lots of natural light if possible. 

Let’s keep it FUN

I am probably going to get your smiley photo as standard and then absolutely ask for something weird. So you can expect pics like this!

Let’s head out and do something DIFFERENT after your dinner. 

There’s usually a bit of a wait while your venue turn your room around – so let’s go have some more fun! Is it a sparkler shot you really want, or maybe you’ve a group of besties that you want to grab some shots with (I mean photographs but maybe you want tequila shots?!). Check out these after dinner cigar pics for some inspo!

If you are having speeches my best tip is to do them before your dinner is served. 

This will allow your speech givers to relaaaax and enjoy their food. Plus you won’t have dirty dishes lying around in your photos, win win! 

Consider the placement/size of your table centrepieces. 

We don’t want to hide your guests faces and awesome reactions behind huge floral displays or tall extravagantly folded napkins.

Ask speech givers to keep it short and sweet.

Trust me when I say – it is hard work for everyone involved when your best man goes off on a 45 minute long tangent about the 300 stagger stories that happened in Prague. Your guests will get hangry and your food will be getting cold in the kitchen. I promise you’ll be grateful that you asked them to be mindful of this. 

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Or for more wedding day tips check out my Free Resources page.