Why the Best Footage Happens After the Speeches

Once the formalities are wrapped and the ties are loosened, my favourite part of the day kicks off: the dance floor. Now, I know the "club vibe" isn’t for every couple - some prefer a low-key lounge feel or a quiet departure - but for those who live for the party, here is my take on why it’s a filming goldmine.

After the nerves of the ceremony and the high-pressure stakes of the speeches are done, everyone finally breathes a sigh of relief. That shift in energy is palpable; the "hard things" are over, and pure, unscripted joy takes over.

There is a specific kind of wholesome chaos that only happens on a wedding dance floor. One minute you’re watching Granny move in ways you never thought possible, and the next, the "Eagle Rock" intro hits and the groomsmen are dropping their pants for the ultimate tradition. It’s fun, it’s hilarious, and it’s a filming dream.

From a technical perspective, this is my best chance to capture heaps of your guests at once in their most authentic state. To get that high-energy, "expensive" feel, I film with a mix of perspectives. I use wide shots to capture the scale of the madness - the "big picture" of a packed floor - and then I dive in for tight close-ups. These close-ups are where the gold is: the mid-laugh head tilts, the blurry hands in the air, and the genuine connection between your favorite people. It’s that contrast between the "chaos" of the room and the "intimacy" of the individual moments that makes a wedding film feel alive.

You'll most likely see me hit the dance floor and then retreat for a while, and then do it all again. Why? The last thing l want to do is annoy your guests and become "that guy". The best shots are captured when guests are in their own world.

The real secret to a cinematic dance floor, though, is the entertainment. I’m a massive advocate for multi-talented musicians who also DJ. Not only does this make coordination a breeze for you (one point of contact, one setup) but these legends have usually been with you since the ceremony. They already know the "vibe" of your crowd, and they know exactly when to pivot from live acoustic sets to a high-octane DJ performance. Some musicians (cough cough - Callum Gracie) can even DJ while playing saxophone in the middle of a crowd. Now that looks and is epic.

Never underestimate the importance of lighting, either. Even a basic lighting set up does the trick to separate you from the background and add that essential "party" texture to the footage. It’s what transforms a basic room into a dynamic atmosphere for the crowd. If you’re DIY-ing or looking for a local and affordable way to level up your dance floor gear, I often recommend Sidestage for hire - they are Canberra legends for getting the gear you need without the headache.

And last but not least if you’re looking for tracks that are guaranteed to keep the floor moving in 2026, you can't go wrong with the current anthems. Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan is the O-G energy spike for those group-singalong shots, while "Classic Chaos" tracks like Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) or Mr. Brightside always result in a sea of jumping bodies.

At the end of the day (or l should say night), the dance floor is where your story truly comes to life. It’s a super unique and fun time I can move through the crowd and capture the raw, unfiltered spirit of your favorite people without anyone even noticing or caring for that mater about the lens.