The wedding video has always been like a poor second cousin to the photo album. Most couples see it as an optional extra or a bonus feature rather than a main attraction. But why is this? And how can the wedding video be improved?
The first reason the wedding video has lurked in the shadow of its more popular cousin is that the photobook is the traditional souvenir of your big day. When you want to share your wedding experience, a photobook or album seems sufficient.
Secondly, there are often additional costs. Getting great photos is usually the primary aim of recruiting a wedding photographer, so opting for a streamline package without any ‘unnecessary extras’ is attractive for couples looking to make the most of their budget.
Thirdly, wedding photos can more easily depict the idealised version of your wedding. Photos are romanticised moments frozen in time, and allow you to re-experience your wedding the way you remember it. In contrast, video can be far more prosaic and take some of the magic away.
The final reason is quality – and the perception of quality. To many people wedding videos means Uncle Jim taping church ceremonies with his camcorder in the 90s. No one wants that. Also, we’re all used to films having compelling narratives, unexpected twists and kick-ass soundtracks. Wedding videos usually suffer from generic music, a predictable story and, well, you already know the ending.
Focusing on awesomeness
Are there any professionals out there actually making good wedding films? Of course there are. Lots. A great example of multi-media nuptial-capturers are Kent wedding video pros Howling Basset, who include a DVD showreel as part of their package. But when we think of some of the issues surrounding wedding videography, how can the wedding video be made more amazing?
A lot of this is down to you. You and your videographer are a team. You need to help them make a piece of wedding content that is interesting, moving and personal to you. For a start, work out if video is included in your photography package. If it’s not, agree a fair price for some moving pictures of the day.
Secondly, let’s talk about editing. Explain to your videographer that you want something sharp and punchy. You don’t want to make a feature-length epic, here. People are quite happy to spend five or ten minutes flicking through your wedding album. They don’t want to slog through two hours of you wandering around meadows. Keep it snappy. A series of moments. Online people have shorter attention spans and lots of competition for their time. They like consuming concise content, even from their friends. This is where video can be an advantage to photos, as lot of people would rather check out a short video than wade through dozens of samey pictures.
Create the unexpected
Try to include stuff in the video that will engage people. For example, collect testimonies from guests. Rather than being one shot of you dissolving into another, some clips of people actually talking can really add some texture to your wedding film. Think about it: with talking heads you can get laughs, jokes, tears, cuteness, delight, drunkenness… On a good night you could capture the entire range of human emotions! That’ll make for a far more interesting watch.
Make some attempt to be unexpected. Perhaps engage your creative side, and produce a mini homage to your favourite rom-com scene. Or maybe include a song-and-dance number. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel here or have Hollywood production values; just try to include an idea that people won’t expect.
Something that’ll make your wedding video just a little bit different to all the others.
Finally, sort out the soundtrack. Enya’s Caribbean Blue on an endless loop isn’t going to cut it. Neither is muzak. Never use muzak. Use songs that are personal to you. Use music that expresses your personality and relationship. At least tell the videographer what genres you like, else you could end up with something that just isn’t you.
A wedding video can be a worthwhile companion to your wedding photobook. It doesn’t have to be redundant, expensive or boring. Try and do something interesting with your video. Something people will enjoy.
Even you might tired of glossy you-propaganda after a few years.
The first reason the wedding video has lurked in the shadow of its more popular cousin is that the photobook is the traditional souvenir of your big day. When you want to share your wedding experience, a photobook or album seems sufficient.
Secondly, there are often additional costs. Getting great photos is usually the primary aim of recruiting a wedding photographer, so opting for a streamline package without any ‘unnecessary extras’ is attractive for couples looking to make the most of their budget.
Thirdly, wedding photos can more easily depict the idealised version of your wedding. Photos are romanticised moments frozen in time, and allow you to re-experience your wedding the way you remember it. In contrast, video can be far more prosaic and take some of the magic away.
The final reason is quality – and the perception of quality. To many people wedding videos means Uncle Jim taping church ceremonies with his camcorder in the 90s. No one wants that. Also, we’re all used to films having compelling narratives, unexpected twists and kick-ass soundtracks. Wedding videos usually suffer from generic music, a predictable story and, well, you already know the ending.
Focusing on awesomeness
Are there any professionals out there actually making good wedding films? Of course there are. Lots. A great example of multi-media nuptial-capturers are Kent wedding video pros Howling Basset, who include a DVD showreel as part of their package. But when we think of some of the issues surrounding wedding videography, how can the wedding video be made more amazing?
A lot of this is down to you. You and your videographer are a team. You need to help them make a piece of wedding content that is interesting, moving and personal to you. For a start, work out if video is included in your photography package. If it’s not, agree a fair price for some moving pictures of the day.
Secondly, let’s talk about editing. Explain to your videographer that you want something sharp and punchy. You don’t want to make a feature-length epic, here. People are quite happy to spend five or ten minutes flicking through your wedding album. They don’t want to slog through two hours of you wandering around meadows. Keep it snappy. A series of moments. Online people have shorter attention spans and lots of competition for their time. They like consuming concise content, even from their friends. This is where video can be an advantage to photos, as lot of people would rather check out a short video than wade through dozens of samey pictures.
Create the unexpected
Try to include stuff in the video that will engage people. For example, collect testimonies from guests. Rather than being one shot of you dissolving into another, some clips of people actually talking can really add some texture to your wedding film. Think about it: with talking heads you can get laughs, jokes, tears, cuteness, delight, drunkenness… On a good night you could capture the entire range of human emotions! That’ll make for a far more interesting watch.
Make some attempt to be unexpected. Perhaps engage your creative side, and produce a mini homage to your favourite rom-com scene. Or maybe include a song-and-dance number. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel here or have Hollywood production values; just try to include an idea that people won’t expect.
Something that’ll make your wedding video just a little bit different to all the others.
Finally, sort out the soundtrack. Enya’s Caribbean Blue on an endless loop isn’t going to cut it. Neither is muzak. Never use muzak. Use songs that are personal to you. Use music that expresses your personality and relationship. At least tell the videographer what genres you like, else you could end up with something that just isn’t you.
A wedding video can be a worthwhile companion to your wedding photobook. It doesn’t have to be redundant, expensive or boring. Try and do something interesting with your video. Something people will enjoy.
Even you might tired of glossy you-propaganda after a few years.
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