When wedding videography first began, people were documenting their friends’ and family members’ weddings using 8mm film cameras. These had a major limitation in that they only allowed for 4 minutes of footage before having to load another cartridge.

Good communication with your videographer is key, especially if there are any surprises you want them to capture.

Capturing Moments You’ll Never Forget

While pictures can capture a moment in time, videos allow you to watch your wedding day unfold from beginning to end. They’ll make you laugh and cry while rewatching the little things that happened throughout your event, like your mom trying to help you put on your veil or your new husband singing along with the band.

A highlight film is the perfect way to show off your best moments and share them with friends and family online. It can include your ceremony, photoshoot, and reception, or you can choose to hone in on specific aspects of the wedding such as your first dance, cake cutting, or your post-reception sendoff.

Consider interviewing your guests to capture heartwarming reactions on camera. Ask open-ended questions that encourage people to express themselves, and use these answers to create a more personalized highlight video for your clients.

Highlight Reel

The goal of wedding videography is to create a movie-like experience. Your videographer can use drones, sliders, gimbals, and more to heighten this effect. They can also include a score, dialogue, and other elements to truly capture your day.

Getting the right sound is important for wedding videos. Your videographer will likely have a shotgun microphone on-board to cover the crowd noise, but an external digital recorder is also a good idea.

The lighting at a venue is another consideration for a wedding videographer. It’s a good idea to bring multiple lights for different situations. It’s also worth considering using a picture profile such as S-Log or flat that gives your colorist more freedom when it comes time to editing. This can really make the difference in creating a cinematic look for your video.

Slow-Motion Footage

A skilled videographer can capture slow-motion footage that will really bring your wedding video to life. It’s a great way to showcase things like the movement of your hair as you walk down the aisle or the sound of the rings being exchanged.

Capturing high-quality audio will also be a priority. You’ll want to hear the oohs and aahs of your guests as the bride makes her grand entrance or the clink of glasses as you toast to newlyweds. Your onboard camera microphone may be sufficient, but having a separate digital recorder can be helpful in some situations.

A highlight video is a 3-12 minute film that shows clips of the day in either a linear or non-linear fashion. This is usually a shorter version of your full wedding video and can be shared online, on social media or with immediate family members.

Live Streaming

For guests who can’t attend your wedding live, wedding videography can also stream the event. This is a great option for grandparents, friends who live far away, or other loved ones that are unable to attend your wedding. Simply share the link, and they will be able to watch your ceremony or reception from anywhere.

Some videographers include flubbed speeches and similar “blooper” moments to add a touch of authenticity. Others have started to incorporate black and white footage for a retro look.

It is important to watch examples of wedding videos from your prospective videographers before hiring them. Consider how much you can learn about the couple from the video, and if they are able to capture their personalities in a short clip. Then, they may be the right fit for you and your big day. Also, don’t forget to take note of the videographers’ use of color and tone. They should create a film that feels like your wedding and tells your story.