How to Set Up an iPhone to Film Your Wedding Ceremony and Speeches
Want your full ceremony and speeches on video? Here's how to set up an iPhone the easy way.
The words matter. Make sure someone's recording them.
Your vows. Your dad's speech. Your best friend's story that definitely wasn't cleared with you first. You'll want to rewatch every word.
The good news? You don't need fancy gear. The iPhone in someone's pocket can do it, if it's set up right. Here are the best practices, kept simple.
1. Put one person in charge
Pick one calm, trusted person to run it. Not the guest who's three drinks in by cocktail hour. Their job: set it up, hit record, check it's still going, and send you the videos after.
2. Get the phone ready before the day
- Charge it to 100%. Bring the charger for speeches.
- Clear out storage. Video eats space fast, so delete or back up old stuff the week before.
- Set it to 4K at 30 fps (Settings > Camera > Record Video). Sharp, and easier on storage than 60.
3. Right before you hit record
- Turn on Airplane mode so a call or text doesn't stop the recording.
- Hold it sideways. Landscape, always. You'll watch this on a TV someday.
- Use regular Video mode, not Cinematic or Action mode.
- Lock the focus. Tap and hold on the two of you until "AE/AF Lock" pops up, so the phone doesn't keep refocusing when people move.
- Keep it steady. A cheap phone tripod is perfect. No tripod? Prop it on something solid or have your person rest their elbows. No walking around with it.
4. Where to put it for the ceremony
Close is better, because the phone's mic picks up voices best from a few feet away. Set it up behind the officiant, a little off to one side, so it sees both of your faces.
Just keep it out of the middle of the aisle. That's where I'll be for your walk, the kiss and the exit. I'll stay out of the phone's way too, so you get clean photos and clean video.
5. Where to put it for speeches
Same idea: get close to whoever's talking. Set the phone near the mic or the head table, not at the back of the room where the music and chatter drown things out. Bonus tip: a second phone recording a voice memo near the speaker is a great backup.
6. Do a quick test
At the rehearsal, record 30 seconds from where the phone will sit and play it back. Can you hear clearly? Are you both in frame? Fix it then, not when the music starts.
Quick checklist
- One person in charge
- Phone charged, storage cleared
- 4K 30 fps, regular Video mode
- Airplane mode on
- Sideways, focus locked, kept steady
- Close to whoever's talking
- Quick test at the rehearsal
- Videos sent to you the next day
The best of both
A friend's iPhone gets every word. I'll take care of the rest. My Signature and Full Day packages even come with a free 30 to 60 second highlight reel. Check out my packages and pricing, or see what I do as a Chatham-Kent wedding photographer and Windsor wedding photographer.
Questions about your day? Get in touch.
