Wedding Videography Suggestions
Wedding Videography Suggestions
Before the ceremony:
Bride and bridesmaids preparation. While you're there, try to get a few seconds of the bouquets and boutonnieres prior to being put on. Groom getting ready and candid shots of the groomsmen. You can get some staged shots here, such as the best man checking his watch or the best man checking that he still has the ring in his pocket. Get a shot of the groom getting the boutonniere pinned by his mother Detail shots. Look for things like the guest book, any certificates or other items special to the day. Other ideas: the bride's shoes, wedding gown on a hanger, earrings and other jewelry, the ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket. Exterior church. Start at the top of the church steeple, then pan down & zoom out to reveal the entire building. Try to take architectural shots at an angle, not standing flat in front of one wall. The wedding party arriving at the church.
At the Ceremony:
Shoot continuously from just prior to the bride's entrance to the couple's walk down the aisle at the end. This way, if you miss a shot, you will still have the audio portion and can use some general "background" shot (B-roll) for the visual. Ideally, use two cameras. One in the back third of the church, and the other at the alter on the bridesmaids' side of the aisle. Shoot the procession letting the bridesmaids walk past your position. After the bride arrives on her father's arm, move to a tripod behind the officiant on the groom's side. This gives the best shot of the bride during the vows. Note that you must clear all this movement with the officiant before the ceremony. Attend the rehearsal. Capture any special touches in the ceremony, like a solo song, unity candle lighting, and reaction shots of bride and groom's families, especially during the vows.
After the Ceremony:
If you can, stage a reenactment of the ring ceremony and get a good close-up of the rings being slipped onto fingers as well as a shot of the groom looking into the bride's eyes. Take video during the photographer's formal posed shots. (Some photographers object to this; don't get in a big fight about it). Most of your shots during the ceremony will be taken from a tripod, and a good steady tripod shot will always look more professional than a shaky handheld one. You should also be prepared to take handheld footage before and after the ceremony, and at the reception. Don't forget to get shots of the wedding party leaving the church.
Next: At the Reception
Bride and bridesmaids preparation. While you're there, try to get a few seconds of the bouquets and boutonnieres prior to being put on. Groom getting ready and candid shots of the groomsmen. You can get some staged shots here, such as the best man checking his watch or the best man checking that he still has the ring in his pocket. Get a shot of the groom getting the boutonniere pinned by his mother Detail shots. Look for things like the guest book, any certificates or other items special to the day. Other ideas: the bride's shoes, wedding gown on a hanger, earrings and other jewelry, the ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket. Exterior church. Start at the top of the church steeple, then pan down & zoom out to reveal the entire building. Try to take architectural shots at an angle, not standing flat in front of one wall. The wedding party arriving at the church.
At the Ceremony:
Shoot continuously from just prior to the bride's entrance to the couple's walk down the aisle at the end. This way, if you miss a shot, you will still have the audio portion and can use some general "background" shot (B-roll) for the visual. Ideally, use two cameras. One in the back third of the church, and the other at the alter on the bridesmaids' side of the aisle. Shoot the procession letting the bridesmaids walk past your position. After the bride arrives on her father's arm, move to a tripod behind the officiant on the groom's side. This gives the best shot of the bride during the vows. Note that you must clear all this movement with the officiant before the ceremony. Attend the rehearsal. Capture any special touches in the ceremony, like a solo song, unity candle lighting, and reaction shots of bride and groom's families, especially during the vows.
After the Ceremony:
If you can, stage a reenactment of the ring ceremony and get a good close-up of the rings being slipped onto fingers as well as a shot of the groom looking into the bride's eyes. Take video during the photographer's formal posed shots. (Some photographers object to this; don't get in a big fight about it). Most of your shots during the ceremony will be taken from a tripod, and a good steady tripod shot will always look more professional than a shaky handheld one. You should also be prepared to take handheld footage before and after the ceremony, and at the reception. Don't forget to get shots of the wedding party leaving the church.
Next: At the Reception
What to Shoot