Choose the right videography style, find the perfect videographer & ensure your wedding video captures every magical moment

Your wedding day is one of the most important moments in your life, a day filled with love, joy, and countless memories that you’ll cherish forever. While photographs capture the essence of your day, wedding videos bring those moments to life, allowing you to relive the sounds, emotions, and movements that made your day unique. But with so many styles of wedding videography out there, how do you know which one is right for you? 

The Value of Wedding Videography

Before diving into the different styles, it’s important to recognize the value that wedding videography holds. A wedding video is more than just a recording of your day; it’s a time capsule that allows you to experience your wedding from a different perspective! You’ll get to see moments you might have missed, hear the vows again, and watch the laughter and joy of your loved ones around you. 

A poll conducted by Brides.com of some newlywed’s biggest regrets after their weddings suggests that 35% of couples wish they’d hired a videographer in the first place. Additionally, 25% of couples mentioned Videographer as the top vendor category they wish they’d spent more money on! These statistics highlight just how important it is to prioritize a wedding videographer that captures the magic of your special day!

Exploring Wedding Videography Styles

There is a vast array of wedding videography styles, each offering a unique way to tell your story. Here are some of the most popular styles to consider:

Traditional

A classic approach that typically follows the chronology of the day, capturing all the key moments.

Cinematic

Focuses on storytelling with dramatic visuals, often resembling a short film. This style may include voiceovers, music, and artistic shots.

Documentary

A natural and candid style that aims to capture events as they happen, with minimal staging or interference from the videographer.

Experimental

A creative approach that may incorporate unique editing techniques, special effects, or unconventional angles.

Highlight Reel

A short, 3-5 minute video that captures the best moments of your day, perfect for sharing on social media.

With so many options, it’s essential to watch a variety of wedding videos to determine what resonates with you. Do you prefer a more emotional and intimate approach, or something upbeat and fun? Do you want your video to feel like a Hollywood production, or do you prefer a more natural, documentary style? By identifying what you like and don’t like, you can narrow down your options and find the style that best suits your vision.

Choosing the Right Videographer

Once you’ve identified your preferred style, the next step is finding a videographer who can bring your vision to life! With so many videographers out there, it’s important to know what to look for, and where:

Portfolio

Start by reviewing the videographer’s previous work to ensure they have experience in the style you’re looking for. Pay attention to consistency in quality, creativity, and how well they capture the essence of each couple’s unique story.

Reviews

Read feedback from past clients to gauge the videographer’s professionalism, reliability, and overall experience of working with them. Positive reviews can provide valuable insight into what you can expect.

Experience

Check if the videographer has worked at your venue or similar locations before. Familiarity with the best spots and lighting can make a big difference in how the footage turns out. Also, find out if they’ve worked with couples who have a style or vibe like yours. This can give you a sense of whether they understand your vision and can capture your wedding day just the way you imagine it.

Beyond the Ceremony

While your wedding is undoubtedly the main event, there are several other important moments and events surrounding your wedding day that you might want to consider documenting. These “wedding-adjacent” events can add significant depth and richness to your wedding video, creating a more comprehensive narrative of your journey.

Engagement Party

Capturing the excitement and joy of your engagement party can provide a heartwarming introduction to your wedding video. It’s a chance to document the celebration of your engagement with family and friends, showcasing the initial steps of your wedding journey.

“Bachelorette and Bachelor“ Parties

Documenting your bachelorette or bachelor party can add a lively and spirited dimension to your wedding video, showcasing the moments of camaraderie and celebration with your closest friends.

Rehearsal Dinner

Documenting this event can provide a more personal and relaxed view of your loved ones and their interactions, adding a heartfelt touch to your wedding video.

Pre-Wedding Preparation

Recording the lead-up to your wedding, including dress fittings, pre-wedding rituals, and any special traditions, can give context to your big day. These moments often hold sentimental value and can be a beautiful addition to your final wedding video.

Including these additional events in your wedding video not only provides a complete picture of your unique wedding experience but also ensures that you have a cherished collection of memories from the entire journey leading up to and following your special day!

Setting Your Budget Expectations

Wedding videography can be a significant investment, and prices can vary widely depending on the style, experience, and location of the videographer. It’s important to set a budget that reflects the value you place on your wedding video. Remember, this is a keepsake you’ll treasure for years to come, so it’s worth prioritizing in your wedding budget.

It’s also important to be wary of high-volume, low-cost companies. While they may offer attractive prices, they often outsource editing and use a cookie-cutter approach that may not reflect your unique story. Additionally, be aware of the “perfume commercial” style that prioritizes aesthetics over authenticity.

 A good videographer will prioritize capturing your day in a way that feels true to you. That’s the difference between your wedding day feeling like a movie set and authentically enjoying your wedding, with your videographer capturing candid moments without distraction.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right wedding videography style is a personal decision that depends on your preferences, budget, and the overall vibe you want for your video. By watching a variety of wedding videos, asking the right questions, and investing in a videographer who understands your vision, you can make sure that your wedding video is a true reflection of your special day!

The Impact of Wedding Videography

“We discovered Ava through pure chance. Looking back, it was definitely a sign from the universe. It’s hard to find the right words for how incredible an experience it was working with Ava and her team. From our first meeting, Ava felt like a true friend. She completely understood our vision and took the time to get to know us as people. We even had a video shoot before the wedding in locations that meant a lot to us. Ava followed us around, asked us questions about our love story, and witnessed firsthand how we act as a couple on a normal day. Because of this, our wedding video isn’t just a simple recap of our wedding day—it’s a gorgeous film that’s infused with so much of our personalities and our love for each other. Ava and her team managed to capture so many little details and goofy moments, stuff that really speaks to how we are as a couple. Watching it back, you can tell that Ava poured so much heart and soul into our video. My husband and I both were crying happy tears 10 seconds into watching it. It’s a work of art and we’re so grateful for her and her team. It’s going to be something we treasure for our entire lives! Ava was truly the videographer straight from our dreams. Hiring her was the best decision we made for our wedding day, aside from saying “I do.” She has an incredible gift for storytelling and videography. Both shine through our final video. So, if you want someone who is going to go above and beyond, who will take the time to get to know you, and who will create an absolutely stunning video you’ll treasure for years to come, book Retrosespective Films.”

To hear from more couples who trust Retrosespective Films for their most precious moments, please visit my Google profile.