Over the course of photographing more than 100 weddings, we have realized that seemingly minor things have a huge impact on the resulting images. Besides hiring a fantastic wedding photographer, there are more subtle things that you can do to facilitate the most beautiful images. Today, some tips on optimizing your toast pictures.

The toasts are one of our favorite wedding events. We love documenting it because all of the attention is on you and the speaker, which means that no one is paying any attention to us! It’s the perfect opportunity to act as observers and create emotional and meaningful images highlighting those moments.

1. Seating

Ideally the bride and groom should avoid sitting up against a wall, because inevitably this creates shadows if any lighting or flash is used. Giant dark shadows directly behind you makes for a less aesthetically pleasing photograph, unless you are going for Hitchcock genre wedding images.

We recommend placing your sweetheart table or head table at a good distance from the wall (6 or so feet at a minimum). This is particularly true if you have glass or mirrors on the walls – reflective surfaces can catch flash and video lights to the detriment of the photographs. Ideally, sitting nearer to the dance floor is better as it means that some guests will be behind you and it’s nice to photograph the crowd reaction as well as your own as your best man is giving his really embarrassing/heartwarming speech.

If you are at a head table rather than a sweetheart table, or if you have a large centerpiece, it may be useful to sit with your backs to the dance floor. When the time comes for toasts, you can simply turn your chairs around and face the speaker for an ideal view and a great camera angle for your photographer.

2. Obstruction

It is fairly common knowledge among coordinators and florists these days that mid-level centerpieces are less than ideal for photography (not totally evil, but certainly on the road to hell). The reason for this is that they get between your face and the camera lens. No one wants to be peeking out from inbetween the curly willow all night. Ideally for your sweetheart or head table, you would favor a low centerpiece. This would mean that you were completely visible to your guests and the camera, and it eliminates shadows. Very high centerpieces can work because only a thin portion of the vase is present. Again, you can also just turn your chairs around so that your back is to the table and you are facing the speaker.

3. Speaker

We often ask the speaker to stand in a specific place (totally amazing photographs need a little nudge sometimes). Usually the middle of the dance floor is perfect because it gives you and your guests a clear view and keeps the speaker away from walls and speakers.

A wireless mic is important here – a corded mic will mean that your father or your best man will be forced to stay close to the band or dj  with giant speakers protruding from behind them like bizarre electronic tumors. We don’t recommend that the speaker stand directly next to the bride and groom unless there is simply no other choice.

Stay tuned for more tips in the future!