If you were born in the ’90s and grew up there, you might remember VHS wedding films, which included blurry and grainy weddings. Also, there is some fuzzy audio, rough clothing, and an awkwardly composed person’s moment waving at the camera. Can you imagine your wedding being like a film scenario played on a screen?
You can put your hands off every charming, sweet, hilarious, and sometimes sexy moment since it is well-documented. Many couples produce cinematic wedding films, which focus on establishing how a wedding occurs and the series of events in between.
With more and more couples wanting this style, the need for a talented wedding cinematic videographer has also increased. With this guide, you’ll discover the best ways to choose a cinematic wedding videographer.
What is Wedding Videography?
Much like a wedding video, wedding videography entails filming and editing the day’s events. The end product is often called a wedding film, a wedding movie, or simply beautiful wedding videos.
As a videographer, you are not responsible for telling a story or presenting a work of art. You are there to capture the wedding elements as they naturally unfold. Additionally, since the goal is only to capture the day’s video, the equipment used is minimal. Therefore, a wide-lens camera is the tool for getting as many as possible.
However, there are specific scenarios where there’s no need to fumble with the editing or narrating for that case: a wedding video, for instance. This means that most wedding day speeches had to be included.
For the couple’s love story, the wedding day gets the spotlight instead of them and their backstory.
What is Cinematic Wedding Videography?
Cinematography is a complicated art form used to create a professional-quality movie. Most people relate “cinematic” to Hollywood-style movies, television shows, and music videos. The film’s vision and story geography are centred on the couple’s love and romance.
To many, wedding cinematographers are just willing outsiders who don’t care about capturing the wedding. But the whole fun experience for the bride and groom’s family and friends. We try to learn about the personal characteristics of the perfect couple and communicate with them before the wedding to tighten our relationship. Many inspirations can be derived from couples’ history, style, or wedding venue.
I’m characterised by natural footage of wedding videography, funny and entertaining edits, and beautiful soft music. More than just obligatory documents, wedding videos should capture the natural evolution of remarkable moments and interactions: no fake smiles, posing, or embarrassing videos.
Why Do You Need Cinematic Wedding Videography?
Weddings are one of those days you will not forget for as long as you live. They are such a significant moment in your life as a married couple. There are many reasons to commend this day.
Although looking at pictures and reminiscing about the events is good. Watching all the emotions and the love bring a tear to your eye in a wedding video is simply the best moment.
It cannot be denied that, throughout the years, wedding videos and photography have become significantly more important. The highlights of their big day are that the couples capture every detail, starting from the ceremony and even the afterparty. Here’s why:
Cinematic ambiance
Image ALT Text- Why do you need cinematic wedding videography? Because it creates a cinematic ambience and captures emotions and memorable scenes.
For the audience, the experience is much more than the moment attached to the video; wedding movies truly are a work of art that enables people to travel and experience all the emotions.
Every best wedding videographer in Ireland undergoes a set series of teachings to help them master the art of storytelling through imagery. This is done so they can imitate a film through advanced tactics such as custom lighting, editing, and unique angles.
Not only does the wedding film serve as a collection of clips documenting the wedding, but it is also an exquisite work of art. That happily married couple will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Feelings and memories
A film about a wedding is an incredible work that captures the entire gamut of emotions a couple experiences on a wedding day. A movie made on a wedding day will capture the looks on the faces of the couples who not only cry but smile and laugh, too.
The couple can relive all their feelings on their wedding day when they watch their wedding film many years later. Because of this, having a wedding film is very important because it records every inch of the big day.
New point of view
As a bride and groom, you will be surrounded by other important people during the joyous wedding occasion, yet you will not see everything from a Sky Angle.
A wedding film can capture the feelings of your guests, the bridegroom getting ready, and close family members making speeches on the occasion.
When you watch the footage, a different kind of appreciation is created for the day.
The Tale is Yours to Tell
A wedding video can be appreciated by the bride and groom and everyone in the wedding party’s family.
Many years later, the couple’s children can see a valuable piece of their family’s history when looking at the wedding tape.
An heirloom wedding video is a priceless tool of the family’s ancestry that will be preserved for the future.
Is A Videographer Necessary For A Wedding?
A videographer is vital to many people’s weddings, but some couples do not prioritise this service. Although photographs are magnificent, videography captures sounds, emotions, and movements, which help retain the magic at a specific moment, an aspect.
When deciding to hire a videographer, you will always be able to replay the wedding ceremony and the promises exchanged. Besides, it is a great pleasure to view one’s wedding film. Such as the beautiful moments of eager guests arriving, conversations, loving embraces with dear ones, and much more.
Many newly-wedded couples cherish a wedding film as a keepsake, enabling them to share the big day with friends and family. Some are satisfied with pictures, but others seek an entirely different experience.
Professional wedding videography style can encapsulate every part of the event in a form that suits you and your story. While hiring a videographer is not compulsory, couples should consider it an investment in case they want to remember every moment of their big day.
Do You Need Both a Wedding Photographer And Videographer?
If you want to capture more moments of your big event in a better way, let a videographer join in on the fun with a photographer. Wedding photographers take beautiful, strong pictures nice enough to put in boxes and on walls.
Wedding videographers breathe life into those moments by adding movement, music, and feelings. With photography and video, you can capture the highlights of moments cherished for a lifetime. This allows you to revisit the exchange of vows, toasts given, and precious moments shared.
If your budget permits, employing wedding videography and photography would be a complete and enjoyable way to capture your memories. It is perfectly acceptable if you prefer to do it all at once.
How can You Determine if You Need a Videographer or a Cinematic Wedding Videographer?
Consider the look and feel, along with the complete desired output for the video. Based on the given pointers and analysis, you decide whether you need a traditional or cinematic wedding videographer. So let’s discuss this topic further:
The Reasons Behind the Creation of This Video
If you wish to shoot the wedding as it goes, an average videographer is needed. But if you wish to hire a professional videographer to capture the heartfelt and breathtaking moments, these professionals will make the most of your wedding day.
Types of Cinematic Styles Used
A practical cinematic wedding shooter employs complex narrative elements, incorporating camera rotation over the head. Soft lighting, drone shots and dreamy slow motion have almost become the norm.
Unlike most present-day filmmakers, who rely on the artistic side of the craft, more traditional filmmakers prefer to film an event without too many embellishments.
How it impacts emotion
This feeling also comes from the filmmaker, who uniquely captures the depth of emotions. You may choose a cinematic style to connect your viewers emotionally to the film.
Editing and Post-production
The wedding videos captured earlier received basic editing and no post-production. On the other hand, a cinematographer spends more time in the post-production stage. Because they get better editing tools, which eventually help them enhance their skills and achieve an impressive output.
If you want a beautiful and engaging memory of the wedding day, engaging a cinematic wedding videographer in Ireland is a good option. For essential documentation, even a normal videographer would suffice.
How to Choose the Right Cinematic Wedding Videographer?
Even though it’s my work, this struggle gets to me. Nevertheless, I will provide my stance in a pragmatic answer, relying on the insights and experiences of the other couples who have hired me. Here are five tips that will simplify the process of making the right choice of a wedding videographer.
1. Research Methods and Portfolio Assessment
The final product of your wedding video solely depends on your choice of wedding videographer. The image captured while making wedding films can be natural and documentary-like or stylised and theatrical. A good way to start is by browsing the wedding videographers’ portfolios that you are considering. Most of them showcase what they feel represents their work.
A glance at their portfolios would inform you of the differences in the approaches and styles. The documentary style is realism, a more straightforward representation of the day and its events. At the same time, some filmmakers prefer a different approach than the high drama style.
Look for a videographer who strives for artistry to create romantic scenes with gentle colours and gentle music that will move you. In terms of quality, a truly professional wedding cinematic videographer should be able to meet the client expectations. By shooting in various conditions, lighting, and themes while still being consistent.
If you take the trouble to browse the works of several videographers, you can find someone whose style is appropriate for your wedding. Also, he/she gives you an idea of what the final product could look like. Doing this at the outset will better prepare you for finding the videographer you seek.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Since equipment and techniques are more advanced, wedding cinematic videography might be the most costly. So, it is essential always to remember your budget. If such a reasonable budget is established early on, you can make the most of your investment and know precisely what you can spend.
In Ireland, wedding videography prices range from €1,500 to €5,000. Still, some videography packages can be even higher in price. They also include additional features such as aerial footage, multiple camera angles, and custom editing.
Having a clear idea of what each package includes makes things much simpler. Some have a few hours of shooting some packages, while others offer a full day’s worth of shooting with everything edited.
Including highlights, frames and even colour correction. Check if additional costs, like “trailer” or highlights cut, are charged and what their cost is. Since some videographers offer packages that can be modified, you can most likely select the relevant ones.
Planning several events well in advance is beneficial for achieving a vivid budget wedding video that doesn’t compromise its cinematic aspects. Treat the videographer professionally and inform him immediately about your steep budget.
3. Verify Experience and Equipment Quality
Wedding events captured through video lenses should be done by professionals and exotic equipment, too, as it enhances the quality of the video while editing. This cinematographic approach in wedding videography lies in the perfect blend of skills in composition, lighting, and the art of storytelling.
Every kind of lighting has its aesthetic, and a good videographer knows how to work around it. They have the required trained reflexes to work in different circumstances and still deliver fantastic footage, impressing their clients.
However, a specific grade of wedding videography equipment is needed to achieve the touch of cinema. High-end equipment such as cameras, drones, and gimbals are some of the select base items. This helps professional cinematographers shoot seamless cinematic visuals.
Each of these technologies enhances the overall image. It is only reasonable to ask what equipment a videographer comprises because achieving a cinematic appearance is only possible with this equipment.
You must find a qualified videographer with such equipment so your wedding film appears professional and every aspect is perfectly captured without missing a detail.
4. Ask the Videographer for a Consultation Pre-Wedding
Book the appointment with your videographer of choice one day before the wedding out of concern that you have a different vision. It would be best to discuss with your partner what to tell your wedding videographer. This meeting will allow you to tell them what you want and your objectives with the relevant details.
For example, this is the right time to ensure the videographer knows any particular songs. That they need to shoot or if they should focus on a specific part of the video. Telling your videographer everything you want to tell him or her in advance will make it easier for them to bring your vision to life.
You should also be prepared to ask them about their practical skills, including how they edit or incorporate music and sound. Many bridal videographers complement the views with colour grading, slow intimacy, and the choice of music to enhance the narrative aspect of the film.
If they understand your likes beforehand, your videographer will be in a better position to cater to your requirements. This way, the final product will truly reflect your taste and style.
A preliminary meeting enables you to align the videographer’s intentions with your own. The outcome of the proposal will better align the footage with your wedding day expectations.
5. Always Check for Client Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials can reveal much about a video artist’s style and professionalism, not to mention reliability. Customer testimonials reveal a lot about a service’s dependability, the time it takes to deliver it, and its effectiveness.
A long documentary wedding videography is rare. So, reading reviews specifically on this trend is essential since wedding cinematic filmography is so niche.
Ask to see full wedding films instead of highlight reels. In contrast to the highlights, the complete movie better demonstrates a director’s story and the progression of events over the entire day. You will witness their artistry, the attention and care they exercise in doing their work, and how they turn events into motion pictures.
Please review the reviews and watch the full wedding films before making your decision. When cameramen have an excellent history of creating pretty good videos and are good to work with, your wedding day and its videos will be safe with them.
How to Make the Most of Your Cinematic Wedding Videographer?
It includes introducing the videographer to your photographer, creating a ‘must-haves’ and a ‘good to have’ list, articulating yourself, speaking slowly, clearly, and intentionally, prioritising your timeline, reciting the vow or a custom message, and scheduling golden hour pictures as the sun sets.
A wedding videographer is the best person to hire if one wishes to cherish memories of this significant day, which is their wedding day. Here are tips on getting the most from your wedding videographer:
Introduce the videographer to your photographer
Most professional videographers understand and appreciate working with photographers. One easy way to interact is by emailing each other before the wedding, so there is already a friendly tone between the two.
A synergetic relationship between your photographer and videographer is essential for your wedding video, as it captures every extraordinary moment.
During the couple’s session, they may quickly work together, ensuring your photos and video cover all angles.
Create a ‘Must-Haves’ and a ‘Good To Have’ List
It will be helpful for videographers to know precisely what essential occasions to turn their lenses into.
However, it would not be unimaginable if videographers were left to explore their creative side.
This helps ensure that no vital shot is missed, be it certain family members’ shots or specific cultural practices.
Articulate yourself. Speak slowly, clearly, and intentionally.
Your videographer will have to record everything you say during the wedding ceremony.
Do not panic or stress yourself out; just read in a low tone, address the place, and enjoy the moment—regardless of how shy you are!
However, for a wedding film to be part of a larger narrative, the videographer needs to capture the speeches well; otherwise, the videographer cannot use the audio.
Prioritise your Timeline
A wedding can only happen with time coordination. Working alongside a wedding coordinator and a videographer makes better sense for managing periods throughout the day.
Don’t forget about transfer time between locations and unforeseeable circumstances that may cause delays on the day.
Reciting the Vow or a Custom Message
A fantastic approach to personalising your wedding videography is to provide the couple’s letters or personalised vows reading.
If your videographer wishes, they can audiotape these sweet words. Recording comments about love and devotion during your wedding is a great idea.
So, when you are meeting your videographer, remember this: it will only add to the film’s narrative.
Post Links to Your Favourite Songs
If you want a specific song or type of music in the wedding video, let your videographer know beforehand.
Every wedding videographer has their style and way of using music, but one thing is certain. They will closely watch the songs you want during specific ceremony moments.
Of course, if you and your wedding partner share what kinds of music you both like, you could create an entire album that reflects your personality.
Schedule golden hour pictures as the sun sets
The golden hour is the period right before sundown. The soft, warm sun’s rays light everything perfectly, making beautiful pictures.
If summer is the season in which you have planned your wedding, be sure to inform your videographer about the golden hour photographs you want captured. The first rays of the sun are never promised to look golden, but the chances are always there.
Develop a concept for the second couple’s portraits. Your videographer will thank you. A half-hour slot is enough for the first couple of photo shoots.
Then, a 15 to 20-minute shoot during the golden hour would work, too. Again, you will be working with your photographer during these times.
Final Overview
The three most important aspects of choosing your cinematic wedding videographer are effort, coordination, and planning. You need to understand how the process works to find a professional who can make capturing your big day’s events on camera smooth. For your bridal film to be beautiful and unforgettable, don’t hesitate to contact us at DC Media. We’ve got the ideas, experience, and imagination to narrate your story in a film-like format. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments if you need more information.
FAQs
What makes a wedding videographer “cinematic”?
Cinematic wedding videographers attempt to incorporate storytelling with dramatic lighting and selective focus edit techniques as if filming a movie. This technique enhances the overall production value of the video, making it more of a piece of art. That showcases the wedding as if it were more sophisticated, full of emotion, and dramatised in film form.
How far in advance should I book a cinematic wedding videographer?
You should schedule your wedding date roughly 9-12 months in advance, depending on whether the season is in demand for weddings. Besides that, you will actively look for a cinematic videographer early enough so you can have conversations before the wedding and also enable you to accomplish your vision.
Can I use my preferred music for a cinematic wedding film?
Approach any cinema wedding videographer, and it is hard to conceal this fact, so I advise them to answer the question of what music most of them love. Music can centralise the atmosphere when presenting one’s preferences for an ideal wedding video.
Is cinematic wedding videography worth the extra cost?
Many couples believe that the emotional content and the creative component of a cinematic wedding shoot are worth the trouble and the finances. This shooting style progresses from best to worst, focusing professionally on the finer details and cues. It leaves the capturing and crocheting of development and mood as a final touch for couples wanting a cinematic wedding day experience.
Do cinematic wedding videographers work with photographers?
Most cinematic wedding videographers coordinate their movements with hired photographers. So that there is no duplication of the best parts on the best day of one’s life. They’re coming together as a team, so both professionals will preserve your wedding day on film from different angles, making the content more magical.