Our Cinematic Approach to a Truly Bespoke Wedding Film

Now its true that every wedding day is different, so it follows that each wedding video is unique in what it captures. Wedding filmmakers usually approach every wedding day the same and will have a checklist of shots they are looking to achieve in the day. This footage is then edited using templates of a set style with similar effects/mattes to all the other weddings the videographer has covered.

For many years wedding clients have been happy with this approach to wedding video production. Couples just wanted a professionally filmed record of their day, capturing all the important moments, with correct exposure/colour balance, no camera wobble etc, set to music of their choice. Modern day cliental however sometimes now view these as over-romantic set films, being a bit stereotypical and sometimes slightly ‘cheesy!’, from this the field of wedding cinematography has been born!

Wedding cinematography is bringing the art of bespoke film making into the wedding industry. Using different film-making tools and cameras to capture a variety of styles of shot in a highly creative way. This approach requires a high level of experience and knowledge and this is why only a handful of companies in the UK can offer a truly cinematic wedding film.

“ Wedding cinematography is like trying to produce a film in real time with no re-takes!”

The approach varies right from the start. The first thing to establish is the clients characters and style of wedding ( venue, amount of guests, religious importance etc), from this it is then possible to get a feel of what style of film the couple are after. For example some couples are not overly religious and have a humorous character, for this more ‘fun’ shots may be captured in a quicker way, with the final film being cut together faster, with more creative colour grading. Whilst other couples will be more romantic and slower paced with long romantic sweeping shots being captured in a more natural way.

The style of the film and shots captured will also be heavily influenced by the style of music the couple choose for their wedding film, as this is usually a strong indication of their characters. When it comes to big live event! (the wedding day), this is where professional camera operators with vast experience earn their money! All the best laid plans will often need to be adapted and quickly! An Usher might now be standing where the camera operator was supposed to be standing or the order of service may have had a last minute change! All these thing need to be worked around to capture the day with the most film-like professional possible for a love event.

At least two camera operators will be filming proceedings, often in a hybrid like way. The first camera operator captures the day professionally in a less artistic way making sure that all the moments are captured perfectly, whilst a second/third operator(s) has a more artistic licence, using a variety of styles and professional equipment.

The final way the approach differs is in the bespoke way the footage is professionally cut together in post-production. The video editor will get a feel for the style of wedding and will work closely with the videographer to create the couple a unique film, with no pre-set templates/mattes of effects being used. Every colour grade, effect of transition is only selected due to the way in fits into the film and is only there to add to the overall look of the cinematic experience.