Any experienced wedding videographer knows that capturing your big day is about more than the ceremony. While this is a monumental scene to capture, to say the least, let’s not forget the rest of the day’s activities and excitement!
There are many special moments you might not think about when putting together a shot list. And you don’t want to miss out! The real trick to creating a seamless highlight video is to capture genuine moments rather than staged rehearsals and the expected shots. When rewatching your wedding film decades down the road, you may just find that these moments are your favorites.
This list includes unique shot ideas outside of the more obvious ones. Together, this wedding shot list makes your film more personal and one-of-a-kind.
Private Vows
Some couples don’t want to share their very intimate promises in front of a crowd of well-wishers. Whether you decide to share your private vows before or after the ceremony, this is one moment you don’t want to miss.
Make sure that your wedding cinematographer knows when and where you will share this moment because you will want to record these vows to remind you of your promises for the rest of your lives together.
Getting Ready Moments
Getting ready for the wedding ceremony and reception is often a daylong affair, especially for the bride. Not only do getting-ready shots set the anticipation and tone for the rest of your video, but they also give a glimpse behind the scenes. A cinematographer can capture those special moments when a sister paints the bride’s nails as they did growing up, or a mother delicately places the veil on her head.
Of course, the groom and his groomsmen can be filmed getting ready, too. Capture them as they put on their ties and maybe even share a drink and some laughs before the ceremony begins. This gives your film well-rounded coverage of the couple and their closest friends and family.
First Look Moments Between the Couple and Family
One of the standard shots that every cinematographer tries to capture is the sweet wedding first look between the couple. While this is an essential snapshot of the day, there are other first-look moments if you truly want full coverage.
For example, think about the first time a father sees his daughter in her wedding dress or a big brother sees the groom walk into a room!
Parents and siblings also have real, heartfelt reactions to seeing the couple tie the knot. These are genuine moments that give insight into the relationships and create a beautiful highlight film.
Reception
The wedding ceremony is only the first part of an evening of revelry. Couples will want their cinematographer to stick around to capture highlights to include in the wedding reception video, as this gives ample opportunity to capture the funny and sweet moments with the newly married couple and their guests.
When friends stand up and give toasts, you’ll want every speech recorded to look back on. Couples are often wrapped in the bliss of knowing that their union is official, and the reception feels hazy after the stress of the big day. This commits those speeches to film so that they can listen to the toasts again when the emotional high wears off.
First Dances
Part of the fun of a wedding reception is the dancing. While there are certainly candid moments to capture on the dance floor, couples should be sure that their wedding cinematographer knows which dances are going to be the most meaningful. A mother-son dance, a father-daughter dance, and a first dance with the married couple are all worth filming.
Once you move past these traditional dances, make sure that your cinematographer gets some of the more candid shots of your guests tearing up the dance floor.
Unique Moments
Is there something on your wedding day that you think will be memorable and unique? Couples often put a lot of thought into planning out their reception. If there are any unique moments that you planned for, then make sure your videographer knows and can prepare for them.
That could mean a funny dance, choreographed and rehearsed in the weeks leading up to the big day. It may also mean wedding activities and games that show how well the couple truly knows each other or even their bridal party. Don’t forget to film the bouquet toss and the cake-cutting!
Couple Wedding Exit
Make sure you have a memorable send-off from your reception as you head out. There’s no shortage of wedding exit ideas that look fantastic on film! Couples might have their guests blow bubbles, throw rice, or send them off with sparklers late in the night. No matter what choice you make for your sendoff, it should be the last moment that a cinematographer will capture to close out your special day.
You will want your cinematographer to stick around until the very end of the reception. Not only does this moment deserve recognition and remembrance, but it works nicely to round out the film. By this point, you have captured everything from the sweet moments spent getting ready to the final moments of the party.
Don’t miss out on capturing the very last detail of your reception!
Cinematic Storytelling by Reverent
Staged moments have their time and place in a wedding film – after all, they can save money and lead to highly polished shots that look like a Hollywood film. At the same time, the sweet, candid, and private moments caught in the moment rather than staged are priceless details you’ll want to look back and appreciate in the years and decades ahead.
Reverent Wedding Films specializes in cinematic storytelling for your wedding day, and we strive to get the comprehensive coverage you want in your highlight film. We’ll capture the special moments of your day and give you a cinematic wedding video you’ll love forever!
Reach out to us today to learn more about our services and reserve your spot.
