Wedding Speech Photos: The Shots That Steal the Show

From heartfelt tears to roaring laughter, the wedding speech is a goldmine of storytelling and sentiment, and no one knows this better than award-winning documentary wedding photographer, Alan Law, who has managed to capture the most evocative wedding speech photos we’ve seen!

We spoke to Alan about why wedding speeches create the most magical images, and he shared his insights on how both photographers and speakers can make the most of this special part of the day.

Why Wedding Speeches Make the Best Photos

“The speeches really are one of my most favourite parts of the day to capture; I love them,” says Alan. “It’s where you really get to know people, and I’m often super touched by what I hear – I often get choked up, especially when parents are talking about how proud they are of their children. Something about that really gets to me.”

It’s easy to see why speeches create such powerful images. They bring out the full range of emotions – joy, nostalgia, pride, and sometimes even sheer surprise. These moments are unscripted, natural, and often some of the most cherished shots in a wedding album.

Emotional wedding speech photos have a unique ability to transport you back to the feelings you experienced on the day, letting you relive those precious moments time and time again. And let’s be honest, if you were caught mid-laugh in a speech photo, you’ll either treasure it forever—or wonder why nobody told you your mouth could open that wide!

Expert Tips for Capturing the Perfect Wedding Speech Photos

So, what’s the best way to capture these golden moments? Alan shares his expert approach:

• Get Close & Wide – “The images are so much more intimate when taken that way, rather than if I was to be standing at the back of the room with a long lens.” Alan recommends getting as close to the action as possible without obstructing views.
• Capture the Reactions – “It’s important to capture the speech-givers, of course, but it’s also far more important – in my opinion – to get shots of the reactions, of the laughs and tears.” The magic isn’t just in the words being spoken but in the way they touch the people in the room.
• Listen & Anticipate – Actively listening to the speeches allows a photographer to predict who will have the biggest emotional reactions, ensuring those special moments don’t go undocumented.

The Best (and Worst) Speech Advice from a Photographer’s Perspective

Alan has heard a lot of speeches in his time, and he has some solid advice on what works (and what doesn’t):

• Speak from the heart – “Speeches from the heart are always, always the best. The best speeches are the ones where people let their emotion flow, where they’re not trying too hard to be funny, but instead are just speaking their honest truth.”
• Ditch the Google jokes – Forced humour rarely lands well. “Just including anecdotes always makes it funny,” Alan suggests. “And read the room – if your speech feels off, people will feel it too.” Check out our ‘How To Make Your Speech Funny‘ blog.
• Balance is key – There’s nothing wrong with a bit of friendly roasting, but if a Best Man or Woman’s speech leans too much into embarrassing jokes at the groom’s expense, it can quickly turn from funny to awkward.

The Rise of Couples’ Speeches

Alan also loves it when both members of the couple give a speech. “I think that’s truly special,” he says. Traditionally, speeches have been reserved for the father of the bride, groom, and best man, but modern weddings are breaking the mould.

Many brides, bridesmaids, and even mothers are stepping up to the mic, making for even more touching and memorable photographic opportunities.

Making Your Speech Picture-Perfect

If you want your wedding speech photos as visually stunning as they are emotional, consider these final tips:

• Stand in a well-lit area – Natural light or a spotlight can make all the difference to your photos.
• Hold the mic at a good distance – Too close, and it might obscure your face; too far, and you might not be heard properly.
• Embrace the emotions – Laugh, cry, and let yourself feel the moment. The best photos come from genuine reactions, so don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve.

Wedding speeches are more than just words – they’re moments of pure connection, captured forever in the frame of a camera. Whether you’re giving a speech or capturing one, this part of the day is a celebration of love, laughter, and the people who matter most. And for photographers like Alan Law, it’s an honour to turn those fleeting moments into timeless memories.

And if your speech does go viral for all the wrong reasons? At least your photographer will have captured the guests’ faces as it happened!

Follow Alan on Insta for more photography inspo.