Why You Need a Wedding Film: The Perfect Complement to Your Wedding Photos

Why a Well-Crafted Wedding Film is Essential: The Perfect Supplement to Your Wedding Photos

Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life—filled with emotions, fleeting moments, and memories that you’ll want to hold onto forever. While your wedding photos capture beautiful still images of the day, a well-crafted wedding film can elevate your memories in ways that photos simply can't. Video brings your wedding to life with movement, sound, and emotion, offering a deeper connection to the day that will last for generations to come.

If you're in the process of planning your wedding and wondering whether you should invest in a wedding video to supplement your photography, you're not alone. Many couples struggle with the decision to book a videographer in addition to a photographer, especially given the expense and the fact that photos are often the first medium we think of when preserving memories. But a wedding film is not just another "nice-to-have" addition; it's an invaluable storytelling tool that can take your wedding experience to the next level. Here's why:

1. The Emotional Impact of Video

Photos are undeniably beautiful, capturing still moments that freeze time—your first look, the exchange of vows, the cake-cutting—but they can't capture the full emotional depth of those moments. A wedding film, on the other hand, allows you to hear the vows, listen to the laughter, and experience the sound of your guests' applause. The gentle background music or even the quiet hum of your wedding song can take you back to that exact feeling of the moment.

For example, imagine watching the wedding film back and hearing your spouse’s voice as they say their vows, or listening to the speeches from your loved ones, where their personalities and emotions come through in a way a photo can't express. These are moments you will never fully experience again, but with video, you get to relive them in their entirety.

2. Capturing Movement and Sound

A wedding film has the power to tell the full story of your day in motion. You can see the way your dress flows as you walk down the aisle, feel the energy of your guests dancing at the reception, and hear the sweet words spoken between you and your partner in private moments. Wedding videos capture everything—from the candid, unscripted moments to the sweet smiles exchanged during the first dance. These moving images give life to the atmosphere and energy of your day, something a still photo simply can't do.

The sound of your partner's voice during your vows, the rustling of leaves outside during an outdoor ceremony, or the sound of laughter as your guests toast to your new life together—these are sensory experiences that make a wedding video such an immersive and powerful medium. Imagine seeing your partner's smile and hearing the joy in their voice as they say "I do." It’s a combination of visuals and sound that no photograph can match.

A frame from video of Nick & Cory dancing on Anderson Dock in Door County, Wisconsin.

3. A Video Complements the Photos, It Doesn't Replace Them

One of the most common misconceptions is that wedding photos and wedding films serve the same purpose. In truth, they complement each other perfectly, each bringing something different to the table. Wedding photos capture beautiful stills—those perfect moments of your wedding day that you'll cherish forever—but the wedding film brings everything to life. The photos are a reflection of the moments, while the video tells the entire story.

Think of your wedding photos as the highlight reel, capturing iconic moments like your first kiss, the cutting of the cake, and the exchange of rings. Meanwhile, your wedding video will show the build-up to these moments—like the anticipation of walking down the aisle, the nervous laughter before the ceremony, or the way your friends cheer when you enter your reception. Together, they offer a complete, multi-dimensional experience of your wedding day.

Working alongside wedding photographer, Luke Collins in Door County, Wisconsin. 

4. The Ability to Share Your Day with Loved Ones

Not everyone can attend your wedding. Whether it’s due to distance, health reasons, or scheduling conflicts, some of your closest family and friends may miss your big day. Wedding photos offer a snapshot of the day, but a wedding film allows you to share the atmosphere, emotions, and experiences with loved ones in a way that photos alone can't. Watching your wedding video can make those who weren't able to be there feel as though they were right alongside you, experiencing the day firsthand.

A wedding video is also a great way to relive the day with future generations. Your children and grandchildren will be able to hear your voice, see your smile, and feel the magic of your wedding day through the video—something photos can only hint at. A wedding film is a living, breathing artifact of your legacy.

5. A Wedding Film is More Than Just a "Memory"—It’s Art

A well-crafted wedding film is a work of art. It’s not just a collection of random moments; it’s a carefully crafted narrative, thoughtfully shot and edited to reflect the tone, energy, and beauty of your day. When done right, a wedding film has the ability to transport you back in time, evoking the same emotions you felt on your wedding day. The pacing, the music, the editing—everything comes together to create a cinematic experience that feels more like a short film than just a recording of events.

Wedding videographers know how to capture the essence of the day and craft it into a story that mirrors the love and excitement you felt. They are storytellers who understand how to bring out the heart of your wedding day, weaving together emotional moments, beautiful imagery, and meaningful sounds into a cohesive and stunning narrative.

6. Why You Shouldn't Skip the Video

It’s easy to see why couples often feel like they can get by without a wedding video—after all, photos are already a large part of the wedding budget. However, when you look back on your wedding day in the years to come, it’s not just the posed photos you’ll remember, but the feelings, the emotions, and the people you shared it with. A wedding film adds that extra layer of depth and richness, ensuring you have a complete record of your day—the tears, the laughter, the joy—all of it, preserved forever.

In short, a wedding film is the perfect companion to your wedding photos. While your photos freeze key moments in time, your wedding film allows you to relive them in motion, sound, and emotion. Together, they tell a complete story—a story of your love, your wedding day, and the memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re looking for a wedding videographer who can craft a beautiful, cinematic film that complements your wedding photography, get in touch with us today! We specialize in creating timeless, heartwarming wedding films that bring your love story to life. Let us help you preserve your wedding day in the most meaningful way possible.

Still image from Jordin & Tom’s wedding film shot in Appleton, Wisconsin.

What to Look for in a Wedding Videographer

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to make sure that you have everything captured perfectly. A great wedding film can be a perfect way to relive the day again and again. That's why it's so important to choose the right wedding videographer.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a videographer, but here are a few of the most important:

• Style: What kind of wedding video do you want? Do you want a traditional documentary-style video, or something more creative and stylized? What about music? What a wedding film looks like can be a huge factor. Is it a cinematic wedding film or more traditional? Once you know what you're looking for, you can start to narrow down your options.

• Reliability: You want to make sure that your videographer is reliable and will not only show up on time on your wedding day but also be responsive to emails and calls. You also want to make sure that they have a good track record of delivering high-quality videos on time and on budget.

• Experience: A good wedding videographer will have years of experience. Knowing when and how to capture all of the important moments of your day is hugely important, but going above and beyond to capture all the details is what really separates experienced wedding filmmakers from hobbyists.

• Collaboration: Your videographer and photographer will be working together on your wedding day, so it's important to choose someone who will be able to collaborate well. You want to make sure that they have a similar style, and that they are willing to work with each other to create a cohesive visual story.

In addition to these factors, there are a few other things you should keep in mind when choosing a wedding videographer:

• Budget: Wedding videographers can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It's important to set a budget before you start your search, so that you don't overspend.

• Package: Most wedding videographers offer packages that include a certain number of hours of coverage, as well as the editing and delivery of the final product. It's important to read the fine print of the package before you sign anything, so that you know exactly what you're getting.

• Testimonials: Reading testimonials from previous clients is a great way to get a sense of what it's like to work with a particular videographer. This will give you an idea of their style, their professionalism, and their ability to deliver high-quality videos.

Once you've considered all of these factors, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect wedding videographer for you.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a wedding videographer:

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your wedding planner.

• Do your research online and look at portfolios of different videographers.

• Schedule consultations with a few different videographers to see their work in person and get a feel for their personality.

• Ask about their experience shooting weddings and their editing style.

• Get everything in writing, including the price, the services included, and the delivery date.

By following these tips, you can be sure to find a wedding videographer who will capture your special day perfectly.

If you want to learn more about how we can work together visit our contact page here:

5 Must Have Shots for an EpicWedding Video

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to make sure that you have a film to remember it by. But not just any film will do. You want a cinematic film that captures the beauty and emotion of your day.

Here are 5 cinematic shots that you need to have in your wedding film:

1. The Drone Shot of the Exterior of the Venue

A drone shot of the wedding venue is a beautiful and cinematic way to set the scene of the day. It can give you a bird's-eye view of your wedding day and is a great way to capture the beauty of your surroundings and the scale of your event. This is especially impactful on outdoor weddings and particularly scenic venues. It’s important to work with a part 107 licensed drone operator and comply with local flight regulations.

2. The First Look

The first look is a special moment between the bride and groom, where they see each other for the first time on their wedding day. It's a moment full of anticipation, excitement, and love. This is a shot that you'll want to cherish forever. It can be set up as a mini session just before the ceremony or it can be just capturing the expression on the groom’s face as he see’s the bride walk down the isle. In either case, it’s a must have.

3. The Details of Getting Ready

Ok, admittedly this covers a broad number of shots but it’s important. Seeing the best man help put the finishing touches on the grooms tie or the mother of the bride assist with a beautiful necklace is what really begins to bring out the story of the day. A wedding film should be something you want to watch again and again and so you want to have so many moments and little details that each watching brings something new.

4. Details & Macro Shots

One thing that’s universally true is your wedding day goes by QUICK! There’s so much going on it’s easy to miss all the little details that make the day so special. That’s where a wedding photographer/videographer with keen eye for the details can save the day. Everything from boutonnières, table settings, even the lighting fixtures can add an incredible amount of texture to a wedding film. One trick of the trade is using a macro lens to get really up close shots of things like the wedding rings, signiture cocktails, and more! It’s shot’s like these that really bring back all the little memories that fill out the day.

A simple pose like this shot with a macro lens can show off the rings in a classic and beautiful way.

5. An Embrace

Sometimes stealing a few minutes away from the party (especially in front of a beautiful sunset) can take a wedding film over the top. As a newlywed couple who doesn’t want to do a little snuggling while the camera moves around you to be the perfect cap to an amazing day and wedding film. Usually, tools like a gimbal are used to achieve super smooth camera moves that make your wedding film look like a Hollywood production.

These are just a few of the cinematic shots that you can include in your wedding film. With a little planning, you can create a film that will capture the beauty and emotion of your special day.

Here are some tips for getting cinematic shots in your wedding film:

• Use a professional videographer. A good videographer will know how to use the right equipment and techniques to get the best shots.

• Plan your shots in advance. This will help you make sure that you get all of the shots that you want.

• Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different shots and angles.

• Use natural light whenever possible. Natural light will give your film a more cinematic look.

With a little planning and effort, you can create a wedding film that will be cherished for years to come.

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