What Moments Need to Be Captured on the Wedding Video?

If you are looking to save money on your wedding, one of the first extras to get cut from the budget might be a professional videographer. Don't let this be a reason not to have a video record of your special day, however. Wedding videography can be learned by anyone and is a good job for a trusted friend or relative. Here are some tips for the videographer about how to take a good wedding video and what wedding moments to be sure to record.

1. The ceremony
Start with a shot of each member of the bridal couple getting ready. You might want to show the bride getting her hair done or fastening her shoes. You can show the groom putting on his jacket or tying his bow tie. You might want to ask them how they are feeling and what they want to remember about this day. During the ceremony, make sure to videotape the groom waiting at the altar, the flower girls and ring bearer, and the bride being escorted down the aisle. If there is only one videographer, you'll have to stand somewhere in the middle of the venue to get all those shots. Remember to stand out of the way so you will not be noticed. Keep your hand steady. When the bridal couple is standing at the altar, you may choose a position and remain there for the rest of the ceremony. You may want to explore the ceremony site a day ahead of time to choose a good spot to video from. Make sure there are no air conditioners, loud organs, or other background noises that will overtake the subject matter of the video.

2. Presentation of the couple
At the reception, record the couple as they are announced to the party. You may also want to record the other members of the wedding party as they are announced and some of the receiving line, if there is one.

3. First dances
Record the bridal couple's first married dance. Also make sure you get the father/daughter and mother/son dances. Don't follow the dancers around the floor. Position yourself where you can get a good shot but not be in the way. Use some tight and wide focus to get close-up shots, but mainly concentrate on keeping your hand steady and keeping the couple in the shot.

3. Cutting the cake, throwing of the bouquet, and removing of the garter
Make sure you get any speeches before and after these milestones. You'll want to stand close enough to the couple so you can hear what is being said, and far enough away from other guests so as not to record their conversations.

4. Toasts and speeches
Find out beforehand if these will be given via microphone or with raised voices only. Stand where you can hear and see the speakers clearly. Get a shot of the person speaking, but keep your focus mainly on the wedding couple as they receive the toasts.

5. Interviews
You may want to talk to the wedding couple and a few of the main guests about what the marriage means to them. Keep your questions short and introspective or funny and get a few opinions to share with the couple later on. The guests are part of what makes the day special.

Keep a steady hand and don't stand next to the ice machine, keep the wedding couple in focus and on task and you will make a video they will enjoy for years to come.


Alex Lemone writes about wedding and entertainment topics. To get more info about wedding videos and other wedding ideas, be sure to visit Wedding Ideas Etc. Note: You may reprint this article on your website, newsletter, or blog as long as the resource box remains in tact and hyperlinks stay active and dofollow.