Creating Wedding Reels: Capturing Magical Moments

With social media taking over, many couples are now looking to make their weddings ''Instagrammable' and go viral. Instagram Reels, short videos that can be shared on your Instagram story, feed, and explore page, are a great way to showcase your wedding. To create a reel, you can either record directly through Instagram's camera or upload clips from your phone. You can then add music, stickers, text, and other effects. When it comes to content, funny and relatable posts tend to perform well, as do videos that showcase the couple's unique personalities, whether through a striking bridal entry or an unexpected backdrop. Additionally, it's important to keep up with trends, such as the latest transitions and storylines, to increase the reach of your reel.

Conceptualise the Reels

Conceptualising your wedding reels is an important step in the process of creating wedding content. Here are some ideas and tips to help you get started:

Bridal Entry

Make a striking entrance on your wedding day and capture it from different angles to inspire other brides-to-be. You can opt for a traditional or ultra-cool entry, or even a solo walk down the aisle. Adding a personalised touch to your bridal entry, such as dedicating it to a family member, will make it even more memorable.

First Look

First look videos are special and wholesome. Capturing the moment when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day can be emotional and heart-warming.

Surprises

If you're planning any surprises for your partner during the wedding functions, be sure to include them in your reels. These unexpected moments will add a fun and spontaneous element to your content.

Decor

The wedding decor can be a great visual element for your reels. Talk to your wedding planner about creating a glamorous and over-the-top setting, combining decor with projection mapping and 3D art techniques. Opulent and extravagant decor themes are predicted to be a big trend in 2023.

Ceremony Moments

The ceremony is the heartbeat of the wedding day. Capturing the first kiss, the exchange of vows and rings, and the confetti toss will evoke emotions and create heartwarming content.

Entertainment

Include fun and exciting moments from the wedding reception or any other functions. Games, dances, and unexpected performances can make for entertaining and engaging reels.

Details and Snippets

Transform your wedding venue into a themed spectacle, such as a starlit soiree or a blossoming Italian garden. The beauty lies in the details, so focus on the decorous elements and create a mood board-inspired reel. Additionally, quick snippets of OTT thematic events or behind-the-scenes content can be a great way to showcase the festive shenanigans.

Remember to have an extensive content list ready, which you can share with your video team, and don't be afraid to add a personal touch to your reels!

Discuss with your videographer

After conceptualising your wedding reel, the next step is to discuss your ideas in detail with your videographer. Here are some things to keep in mind for this discussion:

Provide a Clear Brief

Give your videographer an overview of the flow of the wedding and emphasise what needs to be captured. Tell them what you expect them to cover and what your vision is for the final video. Share your extensive content list with them, so they know exactly what to shoot. During the celebrations, you may get caught up in the moment, but your videographer will remember what they have been instructed to shoot.

Emphasise Key Moments

Incorporate Personalised Touches

If you are adding a personalised touch to your wedding, such as a unique bridal entry or a song dedicated to your partner, make sure your videographer is aware of this. These heartfelt and playful moments are often what make a wedding reel stand out and go viral.

Keep Up with Trends

Discuss the latest trends in wedding reels with your videographer. From trending transitions to storylines, there are always new trends emerging. Incorporating some of these trends into your reel can help increase its reach and impressions on Instagram. Your videographer may have some creative ideas on how to implement these trends in a way that suits your wedding.

Plan for High-Quality Content

Ensure your videographer is equipped to produce high-quality content. Blurry videos are a common issue with Instagram reels, so consider using a video editing program to avoid this. Your videographer should also be able to advise on the best settings for your camera to ensure high-quality uploads.

Utilise Friends and Family

While your videographer will capture the professional footage, don't forget to loop in your friends and family to shoot additional content on their phones. These candid videos will provide extra material for your Instagram reel and capture some of the spontaneous, last-minute moments that occur during your wedding celebrations.

Loop in your friends

Looping in your friends is a great way to get some extra footage for your wedding reels. While you will have your videographer capturing the professional shots, your friends can be on hand to record those last-minute candid moments that will make your Instagram reels all the more special.

Ask your nearest and dearest to keep their phones at the ready to capture the adorable, funny, and unexpected moments that will take place at your wedding. These candid videos will help you create the best content for your Instagram reels and give a different perspective to the professional shots.

You could even assign a specific person to be in charge of shooting the wedding functions, so they can focus solely on getting the best raw content for your reels. This person could be a friend or someone you hire, but either way, they will ensure you get some amazing footage.

Your friends can also be a great source of inspiration for your reels. They know you well and may have some fun ideas for videos that you might not have thought of. They can also help you stay on top of the latest trends, so you can incorporate them into your reels and increase your reach and impressions.

So, get your friends involved and make your wedding reels even more memorable!

Keep up with the trends

If you want your wedding reels to stand out, it's important to keep up with the latest trends. Here are some tips to help you stay ahead of the game:

• Trending Transitions and Storylines: Stay on top of the latest trends in transitions and storylines for your wedding reels. These trends are constantly evolving, so make sure to keep an eye on what's popular at the moment. Incorporate these trends into your videos to make them more engaging and appealing to your audience.
• Location-Based Reels: Instagram's "Nearby" feed allows users to explore what's happening in their area, including local events, restaurants, and activities. Creating location-based reels can be a great way to connect with your community and attract local viewers.
• Sports Content: With the growing demand for short-form digestible news and highlights, sports content is expected to become more popular on reels in 2024. Consider incorporating sports-related content into your reels to tap into this trend.
• Dance Videos and Challenges: Dancing videos and challenges continue to be a popular trend on reels. If you want to engage your audience and encourage their participation, consider creating dance challenges or showcasing your own moves.
• Micro-Influencers: While celebrity influencers still hold sway, micro-influencers are becoming increasingly important in influencer marketing. Consider collaborating with micro-influencers who have a strong connection with their audience and can promote your wedding-related products or services authentically.
• Short-Form Content: Focus on creating bite-sized, short-form content that is easy for viewers to consume. Attention spans are short, so create innovative video ideas that are concise and engaging to capture and retain your audience's attention.
• Hashtag Specificity: Instead of relying solely on popular hashtags, use a mix of brand-specific, product-specific, industry-specific, and moderately popular hashtags. This will help your reels reach a wider audience and appear in searches relevant to your business or niche.

Assign a person to shoot the wedding functions

Assigning a person to shoot the wedding functions is a great way to ensure you get the most amazing raw content for your wedding reels. This person will be solely focused on capturing the special moments and creating beautiful memories. Here are some tips to keep in mind when assigning someone to shoot your wedding functions:

Choose the Right Person

Select someone who is reliable and has a good eye for capturing moments. It could be a professional photographer or someone in your friends or family circle who is passionate about photography. Ensure they have the right equipment and are familiar with your venue to capture the best shots.

Communicate Your Vision

Discuss your expectations and the type of shots you want with your assigned photographer. Provide them with a detailed shot list, including key moments such as the bridal entry, exchange of vows, and any special performances or surprises. This will ensure they don't miss any important moments.

Brief Them on the Functions

Brief your assigned photographer on the flow of the wedding functions, including the timing, location, and any special traditions or rituals that will be a part of the celebration. This will help them anticipate key moments and plan their shots accordingly.

Encourage Creativity

While it's important to have a shot list, also encourage your photographer to be creative and capture spontaneous moments. Candid shots often make for the most memorable and unique wedding reels. Allow them to explore the venue and interact with the guests to capture a variety of perspectives.

Provide Support

Ensure your assigned photographer has access to all the resources they need, such as batteries, memory cards, and any other equipment they may require. Introduce them to key family members and members of the wedding party so they can easily navigate the event and capture a diverse range of moments.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your assigned photographer will capture the magic of your wedding functions, providing you with raw content that can be transformed into stunning wedding reels.

Frequently asked questions