Getting Ready to Ceremony: Your Wedding Videographer

Maybe you hired a wedding coordinator -- maybe you are doing some juggling to coordinate. It's tough to stay on top of all of the details and ensure that the itinerary makes it possible for the vendors to do all the things. Don't get overwhelmed- consider a coordinator to manage the ins and outs of ensuring everyone is on the same page. Day-of coordinators are different from a venue coordinator, so keep that in mind. Having created hundreds of wedding films, we have learned a few things. No matter where our couples get married, whether the rolling foothills around Oroville, charming downtown Chico, or lakeside at Tahoe, they all had an itinerary for their day that helped us to be ready for each moment and create the film of their dreams.

You will need to know how many hours you are paying for and which of the day's events must be included (and the time frame to capture those events). Your wedding videographer (or as they are called now, wedding filmmaker) will need this itinerary, so they are aware of every location and time frame for each event of your day-- and you'll have to allow for travel time. Connecting your wedding videographer with your other vendors by providing names and contact information can help everyone stay in contact on the big day.

Questions to be asked:

Will you be getting ready at the same spot as your ceremony? Will the ceremony be at the same site as the reception? A more traditional wedding in a church may require getting ready in one location, a ceremony at the church, and then transport to a third location for reception. Things to consider are the distance between each location, the time of day and weather, and how many people will need to shuffle from location to location to take part (who will we be waiting on for footage?) And lastly, keep in mind while you search for the venues of your dreams that you don't want to impart any more stress than necessary getting from point A to point B.

Okay, let's break down your day!

Getting ready:  

There is so much excitement and anticipation during the getting ready portion of the day. Friends and family are gathered up and enjoying the bustle of spending time together, getting dressed up to look their best, brunching and sipping champagne. Setting aside an hour or more for your wedding filmmaker to capture detail shots of your gown, rings, cufflinks, veil and special gifts exchanged will be the perfect touch for your wedding film. Your wedding videographer may need time to take your dress to a suitable spot on site for stunning footage, like a beautiful willow or a rustic barn. Sometimes we get the most gorgeous shots right in the hotel or getting-ready venue.

Throughout the session, your wedding videographer will be capturing candid footage of your friends and family members sipping, toasting, and chatting. Toward the end of the getting ready session your wedding videographer will capture final touches with hair, makeup, ties and cufflinks being adjusted and perfected and the zip up of the dress. Talk to your wedding videographer about how much time they typically need for this. This may change depending on their style, how many videographers are on the team, or if you ask for additional time to be allotted for a special occurrence (for example, we have spent additional time on getting ready footage to capture a first look between a bride and her father and in another instance, to capture the mother of the groom pinning his boutonniere). For both bridal party and groom's party, any pre-wedding toasts, commentary, letter readings, or first looks between bride and groom and parents are welcome. This is your day, and you can refine it however you would like- traditional or not. But including it in your itinerary helps us to know if we need to mic you up and capture a special letter reading or exchange.

If the groom is getting ready in a separate location-- there are a few things to be considered. Have you allowed ample time for your crew to get from one location to the next? You can't always assume that if there are two wedding videographers, that the second shooter will shoot solo for the groom while the main shooter takes the bride. Often times a second shooter is a supportive shooter, and your main shooter is the one with the knowledge and experience to direct the shots. Your lead wedding videographer will be able to focus on the crucial shots while the backup videographer is assigned other footage. Be sure to discuss the details so you and your wedding videographer know what to expect.

Okay, now that everyone is ready, what's next? That's up to you! Are you off to the ceremony site, with the first look being as the bride walks down the aisle? Or are you off to do a first look pre-ceremony? It's up to you and your videographer will be there to capture it!

#weddingphotography #EventPhotography #Travel