Cinematic Weddings: Capturing Magical Moments, Creating Everlasting Memories

Wedding videos have become increasingly popular, with couples wanting to capture their special day and preserve the memories forever. Cinematic wedding videos are a style of wedding videography that turns the event into something truly special and unique. This style of videography focuses on the spectacle of the day, from the stunning locations to the emotional vows and speeches. In this guide, we will explore the steps to creating a cinematic wedding video, from planning the shoot to editing the final product. We will also discuss the equipment and techniques needed to achieve a cinematic look and feel, as well as how to work with your clients to ensure their vision is brought to life.

Use the right gear

The gear you use will depend on your budget. If you can afford it, investing in professional equipment, such as a high-quality camera, will make achieving a cinematic look easier. However, you can still achieve great results on a tighter budget by investing in good lenses. The right lens can help you create depth in every shot, which is key to achieving that cinematic look. It also allows you to include more of the scene in each shot, capturing all the little details the couple has planned for their wedding day.

When choosing your gear, opt for cameras and lenses that handle colour and low lighting well. This will make it easier to get the cinematic look you want. If you're working with more limited equipment, be prepared to put in extra work in post-production.

For large-scale weddings with hundreds of guests in stunning locations, you may want to consider using higher-end gear with cinema-grade prime lenses, slow-motion shooting, and aerial filming to capture incredible cinematic footage. This will allow you to create a premium, luxury style that suits high-end events.

Don't forget about audio equipment! Invest in a great microphone to capture important moments like the couple's vows and speeches. Having good audio equipment will give you more creative options in post-production.

Scout the venue

Scouting the Venue for Cinematic Wedding Videos

Scouting the venue is an important step in creating a cinematic wedding video. While it may not be possible to visit the venue ahead of time, it is crucial to arrive early on the wedding day to scope out the location and identify any potential issues. Here are some tips to help you effectively scout the venue and capture stunning footage:

Lighting and Camera Positions

Walk around the venue to test the lighting and identify potential camera positions. Look for spots that offer interesting angles, beautiful backdrops, and good lighting conditions. Pay attention to the direction and quality of natural light, and consider how it will change throughout the day. Take note of any problematic areas with harsh lighting or shadows, and plan accordingly.

Identify Key Locations

Locate the spots where the ceremony, lunch, speeches, and celebrations will take place. Identify the positions of key participants, such as the bride, groom, wedding party, and family members. This will help you plan your shots and ensure you are in the right places at the right times to capture all the important moments.

Speak to the Couple and Wedding Planner

Communicating with the couple and the wedding planner is essential. Discuss their expectations, the desired ambiance, and any specific shots they want. Create a storyboard or shot list that reflects their vision and ensures you capture all the moments that are important to them. Understanding their preferences and requirements will help you deliver a final product that aligns with their dreams.

Rehearsal and Testing

If possible, attend the wedding rehearsal to familiarise yourself with the flow of events and test your equipment. This is an excellent opportunity to plan and practise specific shots, such as tracking shots down the aisle or through the venue. Test your camera angles, lighting setups, and audio equipment to ensure everything is functioning optimally.

Consider the Surroundings

Take note of the surroundings and incorporate the venue's unique features into your shots. Whether it's a beach, a winery, or a grand hall, use the location to your advantage. Capture the beauty of the landscape, architecture, or decor to enhance the visual appeal of the video. Look for interesting details, such as signage, decorations, or cultural elements that add character to the event.

Plan for Smooth Transitions

Cinematic wedding videos often feature smooth and seamless transitions between scenes. As you scout the venue, visualise how different scenes will flow together. Look for opportunities to use cinematic visual tricks, such as passing the camera close behind objects or people to create seamless crossfades. Identify key moments for transitions, such as cutting back and forth between speeches and preparation activities.

Plan the shoot

Planning the shoot for a cinematic wedding video is crucial to ensure you capture the magic of the couple's special day. Here are some detailed tips to help you plan and prepare for the big day:

Communicate with the Couple:

Before the wedding day, meet with the couple to understand their expectations and must-have shots. Ask questions such as what they want from the video, what are their "must-have" shots, and if there are any surprises you should capture. This will help you deliver on their vision and ensure you don't miss any important moments.

Scout the Location:

If possible, visit the wedding venue in advance to familiarise yourself with the space. Check the lighting, identify potential shooting spots, and look for interesting locations nearby. If there is a wedding rehearsal, attend it to better understand the flow of the ceremony and the positioning of key moments.

Prepare Your Gear:

Choose the right equipment for the shoot. This includes cameras, lenses, tripods, microphones, and lighting gear. Ensure your gear is suitable for the lighting conditions, especially if the wedding will be held indoors or in low-light settings. Bring stabilisation tools like gimbals or monopods to achieve smooth, cinematic shots.

Create a Shot List:

Create a detailed shot list of the must-have shots to ensure you don't miss any crucial moments. This may include the couple's first kiss, the bride walking down the aisle, and the groom's reaction. Also, plan creative and beautiful shots to capture during the free time between must-have shots. Experiment with different angles, camera movements, and techniques to make your video visually interesting.

Plan for Audio:

Audio is an important but often overlooked aspect of wedding videos. Ensure you have the right equipment, such as remote microphones or audio recorders, to capture clear audio during vows, speeches, and toasts. Back up your audio by using multiple recording devices to avoid any last-minute glitches.

Capture Emotions:

Weddings are filled with emotions, and capturing these moments will make your video impactful and memorable. Focus on capturing the couple's and guests' reactions, smiles, tears, and laughter. Use discreet filming techniques to capture authentic emotions without making people camera-shy.

By following these planning tips, you'll be well on your way to capturing a cinematic wedding video that the couple will cherish for years to come.

Pay attention to audio

The use of sound is one of the easiest ways to set the mood and evoke a specific emotion. In classic wedding videography, you might rely mainly on the ambient noise at the venue. However, when creating a cinematic wedding video, you have the freedom to add music and sound effects in post-production.

Every wedding filmmaker knows there are two types of shots: those that require ambient audio and those that don't. If you're collecting audio with your footage, you'll want to capture things like the couple's vows and toast speeches. These are the kinds of audio that will be hard to capture unless you're in a great spot.

Position yourself or a second shooter to capture audio for very specific moments. You could also mic someone up or plug a recorder into the equipment at the venue. Even if you only use the audio for a voiceover track during the footage of the ceremony, it's worth investing in a great microphone to give yourself more creative options.

If you're not relying on voiceover or live audio, you'll need music. Wedding video songs should help create a certain feeling or capture an emotion. For candid, documentary-style wedding videos, try something slow like country or indie wedding songs. More emotional, story-driven films work well with instrumental strings, and cinematic wedding videos can be incredible when paired with dramatic, uplifting cinematic music with strong drums.

Just like you need to be careful with filters and visual effects, don't overdo it with audio add-ons. If you are putting external audio into the clip, it has to serve a purpose. Sound effects for the sake of being cool or artsy will not give your clients the sophisticated and modern film they're hoping for.

Choose the right music

Music is a crucial element of any wedding video. It helps to set the mood, evoke emotions, and tie the visuals together into a cohesive whole. Here are some tips to help you choose the right music for your cinematic wedding video:

Choose music that reflects the style of the wedding

If you're creating a candid, documentary-style wedding video, opt for something slow like country or indie music. For more emotional, story-driven films, instrumental strings can work beautifully. If you're going for a full cinematic experience, choose dramatic and uplifting music with strong drums to match the spectacle of the event.

Consider the pacing

The music you choose should complement the pacing of your video. Fast-paced music builds intensity and excitement, while slow-paced music allows the audience to focus on key moments and take in the details. Experiment with different types of music to find the right balance for your video.

Use music to enhance the tone

Music can help you set the desired tone for your video. Weddings typically work well with lighter and bluer hues, lower contrast, and saturation. Choose music that complements this aesthetic and enhances the overall tone you want to convey.

Opt for royalty-free music

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to legal issues. To avoid any problems, opt for royalty-free music from websites like Motion Array or Artlist.io. This will ensure that you have the necessary licenses to use the music in your video and share it on social media without worrying about copyright infringement.

Involve the couple in the music selection

The couple getting married may have specific ideas or preferences for the music in their wedding video. Involve them in the music selection process by providing curated playlists or asking for their input. This will ensure that the music aligns with their vision and expectations.

Use music to motivate edits

Music can be a powerful tool to guide your editing process. Choose the music before you start editing, and let it influence the rhythm and tone of your edits. This will help you create a seamless and cohesive video where the visuals and audio work together harmoniously.

Frequently asked questions