10 key points for achieving a great wedding video

There is a set of factors that we think it is really important to convey to the couples to ensure that the video and photo reporting process flows more effectively. There are not all compulsory restraints and some are probably more important than others, but, in general, they are explanations, ideas and suggestions that the couples can decide whether or not to apply.

Factors related to the bride and groom’s preparations

1- Which room to choose?

Whether it is in their own home, a country house or a hotel, we always have to bear in mind that the most interesting spaces to record and photograph are the most spacious rooms and those that let in most daylight. Rooms or halls with large windows and/or balconies are a good option. In the case of private homes, in which the bedrooms tend to be the smaller rooms, one option is to choose the dining room or living room.

2- Family and friends

Ideally, the preparations should flow as naturally as possible. If you have friends and family at your house, it is also a nice idea if they take part in the proceedings. In fact, we are there as witnesses to everything that is going on. If the people who accompany us are there to help you out, keep you company and have a coffee with you while you are waiting for show time, that is fantastic. You should not stop doing what would otherwise be doing, but rather you should chat and act naturally so that we can catch moments such as nervous giggles with your siblings, mothers and sisters putting on their make up together and helping each other get dressed, pets getting involved, and so on. All of this gives us far more material to later explain the story of your special day.

3- Decoration

If you decide to get ready at home or at your parents’ house, it is important to give it a quick once over to ensure that the house is tidy and well-decorated. You don’t have to redecorate, but, if you want the space to look its best, a bunch of flowers in the corner always help to add colour and warmth. It doesn’t have to be super tidy. “Unfussily tidy” or “orderly disarray” would be a good bona description. Continuing the idea of naturalness that we mentioned, it is great to see a dressing table strewn with all of the bride’s makeup and hair kit, or a table full of handbags, keys and mobiles thrown casually on it, for instance, and it gives us more to play with later.

4- Presentation of the dresses and accessories

Being able to record and photograph the dresses, shoes, accessories and jewellery separately really enriches the final edit of the film. For that reason, at the venue for the preparations, we prefer to be there before the dresses and accessories are put on. By doing so, we can give them their moment to shine on their own with our cameras. If there is a pretty room or corner where we can hang the bride’s dress, for example, we can use it to take some beautiful shots, and we can do the same with the accessories, shoes and jewellery.

5- Personalized letter

With the images we capture at each wedding, we strive to tell unique stories and turn them into films. One thing we like to use that helps a great deal is voiceovers of the speeches or readings by the best man, relatives or friends. Another interesting formula that the bride and groom sometimes particularly like is to write each other a letter accompanied by a gift or a souvenir for them both. At some quiet moment during the preparations, if there is time, the future husband and wife open and read the letter. They may be on their own or have somebody with them, it doesn’t matter. We capture this moment as they read the letter aloud. It is a gesture that can give us a lot to play with and add a more personalized and emotional touch to the final film. Obviously, this is only an option if the couple feel comfortable doing so. Not everybody likes reading and sharing such moments in front of a camera. But it may be an idea!

Factors related to the ceremonies

6- Entering with bridesmaids

In ceremonies when the bridesmaids come in before the bride’s entrance, capturing this moment gives us a really lovely addition to the wedding video. However, if you want a perfect entrance, you have to do it properly. Before the bride starts to walk down the aisle, it is important that the bridesmaids have walked all the way down to the altar. By doing it this way, we ensure that they do not obstruct the guests’ and camera’s view of the bride.

7-Slow entrance to the ceremony

Take your time, to give the cameras a few more precious seconds to record and photograph a unique and once-in-a-lifetime moment. Moreover, this also gives the bride and groom the chance to enjoy the sensations they feel at this magical moment.

8- NO music during speeches and readings

In order to be able to use the speeches and readings during weddings (normally at civil ceremonies), it really helps if there is no live background music while they are speaking. In fact, if you would like them to be included in the video and to ensure sound quality, we ask for there to be no music while they are speaking. Why? When we edit our films, for instance, we always add music, even when we include the guests’ speeches and readings (we turn down the volume a little but the music is still there). If there is background music playing during their contributions in the original audio recording, it is problematic because it mixes with the soundtrack that we add, which obviously doesn’t sound very nice. At all of the other times, such as the entrance of the bride and groom, exchanging rings, being showered with confetti when leaving, and so on, there is no problem if there is background music.

Factors related to the reception

9- Gifts

If you decide to give gifts from the bride and groom, such as bouquets of flowers, etc., it is important that we know beforehand which guests you are planning to surprise. Normally, just at the point that you are going to do the presentations and go to get the gifts, a member of our team will ask you which table the person (or couple) in question is sitting at. By doing so, the cameras can get a head start and make sure that they are in the right spot to capture the moment that they receive the gift and everybody’s joyful reactions. Don’t worry, we won’t ruin the surprise. In our case, we follow you, pretending that we don’t know who you are approaching. We never position ourselves next to the table where the guest you want to surprise is sitting.

10- The party

After the bride and groom’s first dance, some couples choose to dance, while others prefer to go and talk to the guests. Either option is great. It is completely up to you what you want to do. However, the camera team would love it, and so would you later for sure when you see it in the video, if you dance for a while, having fun with the guests and getting the party going. Our goal is to catch some lively fun shots of the two of you together for the film!

If you eventually decide to make your video with us and follow our tips as closely as you can, your wedding video is sure to be a great success.

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