Timing of Wedding Speeches

I never get  asked by Brides to be -"When is the best time to have the speeches?" I think it is assumed that tradition says AFTER the meal. so it is always one question I ask in the pre wedding meeting.

The main reason being is that if you have the speeches BEFORE the meal, it means that the Best Man and Groom and to some extent the Dads will be able to relax and enjoy the meal and the rest of the day. I have seen many Best Men , nervous wrecks before their moment of fame. One poor soul was rehearsing from his  notes outside when he suddenly dropped the lot!! He went totally white, as he looked at all the slips of paper wafting around the car park. I have seen  some Best Men so drunk that speaking was was hardly an option, and what came out was guesswork and embarrassment.

I always tell the Couple that it is their day and they should do what best suits them. Normally I find that it is the wedding planner or more commonly the reception host that tries to get you to fit in with their timings for the meal, their argument is that all the guests will be hungry by this time. True.

I also tell them that it does not have to be either, I have done a  wedding reception  where the couple decided to have the starter first, and then the speeches, followed by the main meal. ie IN BETWEEN. It was a VERY big wedding everyone had their soup or pate, or whatever it was, and felt suitably refreshed. The main Speech makers went onto give brilliant accounts of their memories, without having had too much to drink or time to think. Result.

I must admit that it worked really well, both in terms of keeping the guests happy and the speech makers less nervous. Even the Cooks didnt have to wait too long to dish up the main meal.
It made little difference to my photography other than the fact it made everyone happy.

Keep your options 'open' and do whatever suits YOUR plans.