What Should Be Included in a Wedding Video
A wedding is filled with special moments that you’ll want to treasure forever, but it’s difficult to do that without video production for weddings. If you don’t have complete wedding videos, then you’ll only have your memories to rely on. These will fade over time, and you’ll wish you made recordings of the crucial parts of your special day.
For that reason, we have created a page filled with wedding video tips and tricks so that you can get everything immortalized on film, ready to review at your leisure. The information contained on this page will be helpful for any form of video, whether that means filming by yourself or using drone wedding videography.
We will also answer common wedding video questions for bride and groom such as ‘how long should a wedding video be?’, and ‘do I really need a videographer for my wedding?’. The result will be a selection of amazing videos that you’ll be proud to have possession of.
Another benefit of using videos is that you can share them quickly and easily with the people you care about. This might mean emailing them, having them made into a DVD, or sharing clips on social media. If you need some ideas on what to do with wedding videos, then you can check out wedding video package ideas online.
LEADING UP TO THE WEDDING
Making Your Proposal
Before you can even think about filming at a wedding, you need to propose to your partner. This is a moment that can be just as special as the wedding itself. This means it is worth capturing on video. However, if you would like to do something even more spectacular, you can make the proposal itself as a video that can be set to play at a certain time. If you would like some ideas on how to do this, you can look at a wedding videography sample.
Invitation Videos
Nowadays, with so many demands on our time, it has become preferable to issue invitations on film, rather than handwriting or typing them out. It is also a great way to help the environment by reducing the amount of paper you use. It is also impossible for someone to lose their copy if it is on video. When making complete wedding videos, you can stitch together the invitations, proposal, and actual event into one long movie. It is important to remember to keep the video aligned with the theme of your wedding.
Your Story on Film
Although your family and friends will have been a constant part of your life during the time you and your partner spent with each other, they probably will not know all the details about this. You may also be planning to invite some wedding guests who do not know you quite as well. Using a story video, you can bring them up to speed on your relationship. Doing this can also build energy and enthusiasm for the wedding, especially if you share it early. That will enable your wedding to be even more exciting than it will be already and will save you time updating people individually.
AT THE WEDDING
For Projection Later
If your reception venue has a projector available, you can make a slideshow of video clips for your guests to enjoy whilst they relax and unwind. This will only work if your venue has the resources to organize it, and if you do go ahead then you should make sure the venue has a large screen so that everyone can see the videos.
A Booth for Others
If you want to spice up your wedding day, you can set up a special booth where guests can record video contributions to share their views. They might want to tell some amusing stories or send their best wishes to you and your partner. If you have not got professional equipment, you can use a tablet computer, or explore drone wedding videography.
Videos as Gifts
When you are thinking about what should be included in a wedding video, then one area you might not have thought about is leaving videos as gifts. You can give these to the people that played an important role in your wedding so that they know their efforts were appreciated. If you would like to go further, then you might like to send complete wedding videos to all the guests so they can remember the occasion. These can then be shared online too.
BEYOND THE WEDDING
Reliving Your Honeymoon
Once your wedding is over, you will probably want to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing honeymoon. This is something that you can also record on film. That way, you will be able to relive it years in the future. You can also share it with other significant people in your life. For example, if you have a video roll of you and your spouse on a private jet, be sure to include that.
Celebrating Your Marriage
Every year, you and your partner will have the chance to celebrate your anniversary. As time rolls on, this will become more and more special because you will have spent more years together. When you hit a major anniversary, like 5 years, 10 years, or 25 years, keeping track of what you get up to can be an enjoyable way to celebrate and reminisce. Wedding video package ideas can help you to decide how best to record these precious moments. And make sure to book a hotel and celebrate your anniversary every year.
Wedding Video Tips and Tricks
If you would like to put your wedding on film without incurring too many costs, then you can make your own video. This is a possible option and is one that many couples have chosen in the past and present. With that in mind, we have collected a range of helpful advice that you can use to make your complete wedding videos as captivating as possible.
Do I Really Need a Videographer for my Wedding?
Even if you are going to take control of your wedding videos, it’s still important that you hire someone who can oversee the process. After all, it is your wedding day, so there will be a lot for you to think about beyond making videos. Therefore, you need to select a videographer. You can choose one of your guests to be the videographer, but you will need to make sure they have a decent camera to use. When you are thinking about this, here are some other options:
· You can pay a college student to do the filming so that one of your guests does not have to do it and you can keep costs down.
· You can allow guests to take their own footage so they can send it to you later. You can then package it all into a series of clips or a full movie.
· You can use special techniques like drone wedding videography to do the filming from a distance. This would be an unforgettable way to record videos.
The Elements Needed for Successful Filming
When you are having videos recorded at your wedding, the logistics and the person filming are both important factors, but these are secondary matters. It is the quality of your videos that truly makes a difference. We have discussed them below.
A Good Camera
There are many options available for you to record video footage at your wedding. You do not have to use just one, as combining them can provide you with unique viewpoints and extra video content to enjoy.
Some of your options include:
· Smartphones — many mobile devices have high-quality cameras that only take seconds to start filming. They can be great for capturing spontaneous moments.
· Portable cameras — some cameras can be strapped to your head or worn on your body. These are great if you want to retain some flexibility whilst your filming. They will allow your chosen videographer to film more easily.
· Video cameras — it might be worth hiring a specialist camera that is made for events like weddings. There are some basic models out there that are ideal.
· Drone wedding videography — using drones to film your wedding is something you might not have thought of before, but if you would like a birds’ eye view, then there is no better choice. However, you will need to make sure drones are legal where you live.
Additional Components
A camera is essential, but its effectiveness will be boosted by including some other pieces of equipment on your list. These include
· A tripod — just like any major event, there is a lot of noise and movement. It can be difficult to keep a camera steady and prevent any blurring taking place. If you can find a tripod and position it securely, then your videos will look a lot better. You can find ones that work for ordinary cameras and smartphones.
· Batteries and memory cards — you would not want any of your equipment to fail or run out of space during your special day, so make sure that you have got spare storage space and batteries.
· Voice recording — getting the visuals is only one part of recording videos. The sound is equally important, but it will only be picked up if you have a great microphone. The main focus will be the wedding vows and speeches delivered at the reception, and this is when the camera should be positioned close to the speakers. It is worth doing a test run with microphones.
· Light — when filming, you will want to ensure that the video comes out looking bright and easy to watch. Therefore, you will need to check the lighting at your venue.
EDITING YOUR VIDEOS
Once all the hard work of filming is finished, there is still one more stage to get through, and that is editing. You can either hire an editor to do the work for you or use some video editing software to help you do it yourself. The best software will run smoothly and have no glitches, whilst allowing you to make simple edits to your video.
How long should a wedding video be?
Before we move on, we think it is important to address this question. Once the video is inside your editing program, you will notice how long it is. You might then wonder how long it should be. The answer depends on you. If you would like shorter clips for sharing easily, then edit the video to make it shorter. If you would rather have the video on a DVD, it should be as long as an average movie.
A Shot List for Your Wedding
Some other worthwhile factor to consider is whether there are any particular scenes that you want to capture on video. This will be true no matter who is doing the filming and to ensure that the videographer gets it right, you should notify them of what you would like to have on the final videos.
Some of the traditionally included shots are:
· Preparation by the bride and the groom.
· Walking in the aisle.
· The actual wedding itself.
· When the married couple first dance.
· When they dance with their parents.
· Any speeches that are made.
· When the cake is cut.
Getting a Videographer
If you have decided that instead of doing videography in an amateur way, you’d like to hire a professional, then here are some tips to help you pick the right person:
· Ask around — there are probably plenty of people that you can ask who can refer you to a good videographer, or you can research online.
· Ask experts — if you have a wedding planner, then they will probably have a list of contacts who can be of service to you. They may even know a videographer personally.
· Arrange to meet them — your wedding is an extremely important occasion, so it is always wise to have a conversation with your videographer to make sure they are a good fit.
· Look at their work — every videographer will have a unique style, and they will also typically have an online portfolio. You can ask to look at this so you can assess how good their work is and whether they will suit you.
Common Questions for the Videographer
When you have a few potential candidates for filming your wedding, you need to ensure they are competent and suitable for your needs. You should think about asking the following questions:
· Does their schedule align with yours?
· What wedding video package ideas do they have, and what do they feature?
· Have they worked with the person you chose to take photographs?
· How much filming is included?
· Will there be more than one videographer on your wedding day?
· Will videos made also include sound?
· What method do they use to select music for the video?
· When will the video be ready to look at?
The Cost of Videography
To make your event come in under budget, you will want the filming to be reasonably priced. Videographers charge different rates, so here are some ways you can make the decision more easily:
· Set a limit on fees — before speaking to a videographer, know how much you are willing to pay them out of your overall budget.
· See what packages they offer — depending on who you speak to, you will either be given a unique price, or a least of options to choose from. Sometimes packages work out cheaper.
· Pay close attention to the contract — so that there are not any unpleasant surprises, make sure that the contract features all the elements you require and none that you don’t. If you miss this step, your wedding day might not be as well-recorded as you hoped.
Extra Advice for Making Great Videos
There are some additional pieces of information that you might like to keep in mind so that you look good in your videos, and so that the videos are nicely produced. Here is a list:
· Keep a good posture — this will make you appear slimmer and taller.
· Do not use tanning sprays — you might end up looking too orange.
· The suit should fit the groom — a neat suit always looks best.
· Enjoy the day — it is a special time for you and your partner.
Helping Guests with Filming
As your wedding progresses, your guests will no doubt be using their phones to film the proceedings. They should keep in mind some basic tips for making good videos, and that is why we have included plenty in this article. However, to make things go as well as possible, make sure that you have a strategy for gathering the video clips from them.
Making D.I.Y. Videos
If you have never done filming at a major event before, or you are using an amateur friend or family member to do it, then here are a few pointers for them to keep in mind.
· Learn how their camera works — ensure your guest familiarizes themselves with all the features and settings so that they can use it confidently.
· Investigate their settings — if they are using a smartphone, it is quite likely their video app will have settings that they can use to optimize filming.
· Take a second camera — if for any reason their main device stops working, you will want to remind them to take a replacement just in case.
· Get ready — if a guest is taking amateur videos, you can help them by sharing a copy of the wedding program with them. This will help them to know where and when it is best to make some videos.
· Watch the weather — if the weather turns sour, make sure filming is still possible.
· Stay where the action is — most of the action during a wedding will surround the bride and groom, so filming will be much better if you tell your guest to stay close to them.
· Use the list of shots — in the section above, we suggested a list of traditionally popular shots that you might like to include when filming. In addition to this, you may also like to arrange times for particular people at the wedding, including family members of the bride and groom, to be featured on video.
· Take random videos — some of the best videos taken at your wedding will be the spontaneous ones. There will be moments where these videos are ideal, so feel free to tell your guest to record additional footage.
· Review them later — because a wedding is a hectic event, tell your guest not to delete any of the videos during the wedding. There may be a few special moments that you would like to keep, and you and your partner will be the best judges of that.
Video Music
It can be nice to add some musical elements to your wedding videos during the editing phase or ask someone else to put a music track into them. This can be a way to create an extra layer of fun when it comes to getting the videos out at a celebration or wedding anniversary. However, you will need to keep in mind the fact that some music is subject to copyright restrictions. That means if you upload it online, it could be muted or even removed. Therefore, it is worth checking what the rules are or finding some music that is either for public use or is no longer covered by copyright protections.
Now You Can Be Confident with Videos
You have now reached the end of our wedding video guide. You will know everything about what should be included in a wedding video, and you will have all the information you need to make your wedding an amazing success. If you want to make the best use of the content in this article, it is worth bookmarking it so that you can return to it when you need a reminder. You may also like to take notes so that you have your own record of this advice in your own words.
Finally, we would like to wish you all the best with organizing a wedding that you, your partner, your family, and your friends will enjoy.
