Behind the scenes of creating your dream wedding film
In the whirlwind of wedding planning, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of choosing venues, picking out dresses, and finalising your guest lists. But amidst all the excitement (and sometimes stress), there's one element that often gets overlooked until the last minute: wedding videography. Your wedding film is more than just a recording of the day—it's a timeless memento that captures the essence of your love story, preserving precious allowing you to remember how the day felt.
In this blog, I’m pulling back the curtain to reveal the artistry and dedication that goes into creating your dream wedding film. From the initial consultation to the final edit, every step is meticulously crafted to ensure that your love story is told with beauty, emotion, and authenticity.
My creative approach
If you’ve been on my website and have read about me, you know how much I love cinema. Everything I do is inspired by cinema. But your wedding cannot be a production set. My view is that, for your wedding film to be cinematic, emotive and timeless it needs to achieve two things: it needs to be artistic, and real. Having both of these elements in my wedding films is something I feel passionate about.
The artistry is taken from cinema. This shows in my shooting style and the way in which I edit. Your wedding film will look and feel like a movie, with its own story. Yours.
And, for it to be real, I need to be able to get under the skin of your relationship, so I can tell your story in the most authentic way, without any of it being staged or directed.
The initial consultation: Understanding your vision
The journey to your dream wedding film always begins with a conversation. During the initial consultation, we'll sit down (whether on Zoom, or face to face) to discuss your vision, preferences, and expectations for the final piece. This is your chance to share your story—the quirks, the inside jokes, the special moments that make your relationship unique. I feel strongly about getting to know my couples’ relationship, to really understand what makes them tick. This instantly allows me to paint a picture of your wedding day in my head
During this chat, I will ask questions to gain insight into your personalities, style, and the overall feel you want to convey in your wedding film. The artistic touch will be mine, and that’s ultimately why my couples choose me to capture their day, but the story is yours. This is a genuine collaboration between my artistic vision, and your dream wedding.
Capturing the moments: The art of filmmaking
A quality wedding film that tells your story isn’t just something that happens by magic. The film is only ever as good as the footage I’ve captured on the day, which I take great pride in. The overwhelming sentiment I want my couples to feel when watching their wedding film is that it needs to be real. And a huge part of this is to capture the right moments, at the right time. This is why the initial consultation is really important: it allows me to prepare ahead of the day, plan some of the shots, and understand the relationships that are important to you.
This means that, when the big day arrives, I don’t chase the shot. I know what to look for, and I always aim for a creative, artistic shot. A ‘safe’ shot won’t deliver a cinematic, emotive and timeless piece. I carry very little equipment with me, so l blend into the background, allowing my couples and their guests to relax and enjoy the day without feeling self-conscious.
Establishing shots: In the morning, I like to take my take with some of the detailed shots: rings, venue, room decor, dress. Anything that allows me to tell a complete story; those little things that contribute to the bigger picture. I’ll usually go to the venue first, to capture aerial drone footage of the location. This always elevates the final piece, and really turns a video into a film.
The bride & groom: During bridal preparation, I love to capture moments that build drama and tension. These are typically tighter shots, framed deliberately to make you experience what the bride is feeling at that point. Whilst there’s always laughter, you can also feel the nerves during bridal preparation, which I think is really powerful. This is something that usually contrasts to the groom’s preparation, often more lighthearted.
The ceremony: The tension is usually felt by the groom before the bride walks down the aisle. All eyes on him, yet everyone is waiting for the bride to arrive. This is a beautiful moment, and the groom reaction always makes for an amazing shot: after all the tension and anxiety, seeing your loved one, for the first time in her wedding dress.
The reception: These make the majority of the real, raw and authentic moments in the wedding film. The hugs with your nearest and dearest after you’ve just said “I do”. These are some of the most powerful moments because they’re exactly what make your day. You plan a wedding for yourselves, but also for those really close to you. Seeing the joy on their face is everything, and something you want to be able to watch back.
Couple portraits: I always join the photographer when doing couple portrait, as I never want you to be away from your guests for too long. But these are special moments too, that deserve to be caught on film. Couple portrait are not a make or break type of situation, and I know some couple are not always comfortable in front of a camera. I like to capture the natural reaction, nothing staged. It’s all about the connection you have. This usually focuses on stolen glances, the subtle touch of hands. Those intimate moments that define your relationship.
Dancing: All of my packages are for full day coverage, from prep to party. Every wedding is unique, and for my couples, the dance floor is an opportunity to let your hair down and get everyone having fun. The dance floor can also be an incredible opportunity for amazing shots, like a first dance with the father of the bride.
Post-production magic: Editing your story
The editing process is where it all comes to life. At that point, I’m essentially watching all the footage again, to immerse myself back into your day. I always listen to the ceremony and speeches, first, so that I know the most powerful moments are to include in your wedding film. This is where the magic really happens, as I weave together a narrative that reflects the love, laughter, and emotions of your special day.
Music selection is critical, too. I never want to make a wedding into something it isn’t, everything has to work in harmony. Along with the footage and sound design, the soundtrack I choose is always there to draw out the emotion, and enhance the mood and atmosphere, to make it a cohesive visual experience. Whether the wedding felt more romantic, or more upbeat, or something in between, the music selection plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your film.
As you can see, creating your dream wedding wedding is a labour of love—one that requires passion, creativity, and a deep understanding of your unique love story. From the initial consultation to the final edit, every step is carefully orchestrated to ensure that your wedding film is a true reflection of your day, capturing the moments that matter most in a way that is both beautiful and timeless. So when you're planning your wedding, don't forget to prioritise your videography—it's an investment that will pay dividends for years to come.
“If you’re unsure about hiring a wedding videographer we would say it was 100% worth it and we couldn’t recommend Lune de Miel Studio more.”