If you are new to the world of wedding videography, you might be wondering what shots you should focus on capturing at your first gig.
You know you should get some footage on the bride, right? But what else?!
Well, don’t panic!
This article delves into the five essential shots to include in your wedding videography: the preparation shots, the ceremony shots, the reception shots, the couple shots, and the guest shots.
Each of these shot-types are vital in telling the story of the couple’s special day.
And, by capturing these shots, you’ll be able to produce a video that the couple and their loved ones will cherish for years to come.
Keep reading to learn more!
The Preparation Shots
The preparation shots are a crucial part of any wedding video, as they capture the excitement and emotions of the couple and their families leading up to the ceremony.
These moments help to set the tone for the rest of the day, and provide an intimate glimpse into the couple’s love story.
To capture these important moments, it’s important to communicate with the couple and their wedding planner ahead of time — this will help you to know when and where the preparation shots will take place, and allow you to plan accordingly.
When filming the preparation shots, it’s important to be unobtrusive and capture the moments as they unfold naturally.
This means not interrupting the couple or their families, and instead allowing them to act as they normally would.
Preparation Shot Ideas
- Bride getting ready, putting on her dress, and spending time with bridesmaids.
- Groom getting ready, putting on his suit, and sharing a moment with family.
- Guests arriving at the venue.
- Small details like wedding rings and bouquets.
- Wedding planners and venue staff setting up.
- Candid moments between the bride and groom.
- Shots of the wedding venue.
The Ceremony Shots
The ceremony shots are the heart of any wedding video.
This is the moment when the couple makes their commitment to each other, and it’s important to capture this moment in a way that reflects the emotions of the couple and their families.
When filming the ceremony, it’s important to be respectful and unobtrusive: This means not blocking the view of the guests or the couple, and not moving around too much!
To get the best shots during the ceremony, it’s important to scout out the location ahead of time, and know where the best angles and lighting will be —it’s also important to have a backup plan in case of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances!
When editing the ceremony footage, it’s important to focus on the emotions and reactions of the couple and their families.
This means including shots of the couple’s faces, as well as shots of the guests, to capture their reactions to the ceremony.
By being respectful and unobtrusive, and focusing on the emotions and reactions of the couple and their families, you’ll be able to create a video that captures the essence of the day.
Ceremony Shot Ideas
- Wide shots of the ceremony venue before guests arrive.
- Procession shots of the bridal party walking down the aisle.
- Shots of the groom’s reaction as he sees the bride walking down the aisle.
- Close-up shots of the exchange of vows and rings.
- Shots of the audience and their reactions.
- The couple’s first kiss as a married couple.
- The recessional as the newlyweds and their bridal party exit the ceremony venue.
- The couple’s grand exit, such as sparkler send-offs or flower petals being thrown.
The Reception Shots
The reception shots are where the party really starts!
This is where the couple and their guests can let loose and celebrate the union of two people in love.
Capturing these moments is essential to creating a wedding video that truly tells the story of the couple’s special day.
When filming the reception, it’s important to capture a variety of shots, from wide shots of the entire room to close-ups of the couple and their guests.
One of the biggest challenges when filming the reception is capturing high-quality footage in low-light conditions. To overcome this, you can use a camera with good low-light performance, and use artificial lighting to create a more well-lit scene.
When editing the reception footage, it’s important to focus on creating a cohesive narrative that tells the story of the couple’s special day. You can use music to help set the tone, and use transitions to smoothly move between different parts of the reception.
Reception Shot Ideas
- Shots of the reception venue before guests arrive, including table settings and decor.
- The grand entrance of the newlyweds into the reception.
- Shots of the first dance and other special dances, such as father/daughter or mother/son.
- Toasts and speeches by family and friends.
- Shots of guests mingling and enjoying the reception, including dancing and interactions at tables.
- Cutting the cake and feeding each other.
The Couple Shots
The couple shots are perhaps the most important shots in a wedding video— after all, the wedding is all about the couple and their love for each other.
These shots should showcase the couple’s chemistry, and capture the emotions and special moments that they share together.
One of the most important aspects of capturing great couple shots is to make the couple feel comfortable in front of the camera.
For many people, being in front of a camera can be intimidating or awkward. So, as a wedding videographer, it’s your job to help the couple feel at ease and relaxed during the shoot.
To do this, you can start by having a conversation with the couple and getting to know them a bit better. Ask them about their relationship and what they love about each other — this can help to create a more natural and relaxed atmosphere during the shoot.
When it comes to the actual shots, there are a few different types of shots to consider:
The first is the “posed” shot, where the couple is asked to stand in a certain way or do a certain action. While these shots can look great, it’s important to make sure they don’t look too stiff or forced.
The second type of shot is the “candid” shot, where the couple is simply asked to interact with each other naturally. These shots can often look the most authentic and can capture some truly special moments.
Finally, consider using a variety of different camera angles and compositions to create a more dynamic and interesting final product.
Couples Shot Ideas
- Romantic shots of the couple getting ready separately.
- The couple’s first look, where they see each other for the first time on their wedding day.
- Romantic shots of the couple together, such as holding hands, hugging, and kissing.
- The couple taking a walk or strolling through a scenic area.
- Shots of the couple interacting with their wedding party, such as with bridesmaids and groomsmen.
- Close-up shots of the couple’s wedding bands.
- Shots of the couple’s special moments, such as reading their vows or exchanging gifts.
- Sunset shots of the couple, showcasing the beauty of the wedding location.
The Guest Shots
While the wedding is primarily focused on the couple, it’s important to also capture the guests and their experience of the day.
These shots can help to tell the story of the wedding and create a more complete and well-rounded final product.
When it comes to guest shots, there are a few different types of shots to consider:
The first is the “crowd” shot, which captures a wider view of the wedding ceremony or reception and shows the guests interacting with each other.
Another important shot is the “table” shot, which focuses on a particular table or group of guests — this can be a great way to capture the conversations and interactions between guests, and can help to create a more intimate and personal feel to the video.
It’s also important to capture the reactions and emotions of the guests throughout the day.
This can include shots of guests laughing, crying, or clapping during the ceremony or speeches. These shots can help to convey the joy and emotion of the day, and create a more engaging and emotional final product.
When it comes to shooting guest footage, it’s important to be respectful of people’s privacy and boundaries — make sure to ask permission before filming anyone, and be aware of any guests who may not want to be on camera.
Guest Shot Ideas
- Shots of guests arriving at the venue and checking in.
- Guests mingling and chatting during the cocktail hour.
- Group shots of guests with the newlyweds.
- Candid shots of guests during the reception, such as dancing, eating, and enjoying the music.
- Shots of guests signing the guestbook or writing messages on the couple’s photo booth pictures.
- Shots of guests taking part in special traditions, such as the money dance or cultural dances.
- Shots of guests laughing and having fun, capturing the joyful atmosphere of the wedding.
- Farewell shots of guests saying goodbye to the newlyweds as they exit the reception.
Final Thoughts
Wedding videography is a rewarding and exciting profession, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail.
By focusing on the essential shots outlined in this article, including the preparation shots, ceremony shots, reception shots, couple shots, and guest shots, you can create a video that captures the unique story of each couple’s special day.
Remember to communicate with the couple and their wedding planner, be respectful and unobtrusive during filming, and use your artistic vision during editing to create a cohesive and memorable video.
With these tips in mind, you can produce a wedding video that the couple and their loved ones will cherish for years to come.
Happy shooting!
