What to Expect from Your Documentary Wedding Video
Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting and meaningful times in your life, and when it’s all over, you’ll want a way to relive the magic again and again. Something that’s more than just a photo or a snippet of the day. That’s where documentary-style wedding videography comes in.
But not all wedding videos are created equal! If you’ve been trying to figure out the right videography style for you, hearing about ‘documentary-style’ videos and wondering what that’s all about, you’re in the right place!
As a documentary-style wedding videographer who’s been filming weddings all over the UK since 2010, I specialise in this style of videography, and trust me when I say that this style of video isn’t just about capturing the big moments (though of course, we do that too!). It’s about telling your love story as it unfolds naturally throughout the day and giving you something that will help you relive your day in a more meaningful way.
So, if you’re curious, let’s chat about what to expect from your documentary wedding video.
Your Documentary Wedding Video
- What is a Documentary Wedding Video?
- The Process of Creating a Documentary Wedding Video
- What Makes a Documentary Wedding Video Special (and Different To ‘Just A Highlights’)?
What is a Documentary Wedding Video?
Let’s start with the basics! What exactly is a documentary wedding video?
Unlike the old-skool traditional style or the highly staged ‘cinematic’ style wedding videos you may have seen in the past, a documentary video focuses on capturing the day as it happens. Think of it like your very own film time capsule. We capture all of the genuine moments, the laughter, the happy tears, the quiet in-between bits that you didn’t even realise were happening because you were so caught up in the day.
It’s edited in such a way that it cuts out all the fluff and bits you’d want to fast-forward, leaving you with your very own ‘best bits’ that’s a joy to watch (and that comes from someone who hates the idea of watching herself back on video, if that sounds like you then trust me when I say this relaxed style is for you!)
In a traditional or ‘cinematic’ video, the emphasis might be on creating a polished, almost choreographed production. There might be a lot of staged shots, posed moments, and a very formal vibe. A documentary-style wedding video, on the other hand, is all about authenticity and has a more relaxed approach.
I won’t interrupt moments to ask you to do it again or ask your guests to act natural (I’ve seen it happen! And we all know how unnatural that ends up looking!). Instead, I focus on observing, blending into the background, and letting the day unfold organically.
It’s the laughter between you and your guests while you’re getting ready, the look on your parents’ faces when they see you all dressed up, wiping away tears and the little hand squeezes during the ceremony, and the fun dance moves on the dancefloor.
Every moment is real, completely unstaged, and beautifully you!
The Process of Creating a Documentary Wedding Video
So how does it all work? Let me take you through the process I’ve perfected over all these years, so you know exactly what to expect…
Step 1: Getting to Know You
Before your wedding day, we’ll have a chat, either in person, over the phone, or via video call. I want to hear all about your plans for the big day, what’s most important to you, and any specific moments or people you’d like me to focus on. It’s also a great opportunity for you to ask me any questions and for us to get comfortable with each other. Trust me, when the person behind the camera feels like a friend, it makes all the difference to how you feel on the day!
Step 2: On the Day
When your wedding day arrives, my job is to be there but not there, if that makes sense..? I’ll blend in with your wedding party, capturing all the moments as they happen naturally like a friend who happens to have a camera! Filming in-between chatting, fixing button holes and offering a helping hand if needed.
I work with a small, stripped back filming kit that neatly fits into one camera bag so I can move around quietly and unobtrusively. No giant cameras, blinding lights or direction! From the excitement of the morning prep to the emotional ceremony and the joy of the evening celebrations, I’ll be documenting it all in my discreet way!
I focus on capturing not just the big moments (like filming the ceremony and speeches in full) but also the little details that make your day unique. It could be the flowers in your bouquet, the hand-written notes you exchanged, or your nan’s laugh during the speeches. Expertly capturing those moments and editing them together in a natural way is the only way to help bring your wedding back to life in a video.
Step 3: Editing Magic
After your wedding, the magic happens in the editing suite (my home office in Lancashire, complete with bespoke desk and camera drawer!). I carefully sort through all your footage and handpick the moments I know you’ll love watching back, to create a video that tells the story of your day in the most beautiful and meaningful way. This isn’t just about putting clips together on a timeline but it’s about putting together your moments into a seamless story that reflects who you are as a couple.
Whether it’s simply a Highlights video of your best bits or you’ve added on longer edits and extras, I work on colour-grading, sound design, and music to make sure everything flows perfectly. The end result? A collection of documentary wedding videos that feels deeply personal and unique to you both.
Step 4: Delivery
When your video is ready, I’ll deliver it to you in a format that’s easy to view, share, and keep forever. Whether it’s a short highlights film or a full-length feature, you’ll have a video that captures your wedding day exactly as it was!
What Makes a Documentary Wedding Video Special?
There’s something truly magical about a documentary wedding video. It’s not just about capturing what happened but about capturing how it felt in every moment.
Because this style of videography is so natural and unscripted, it allows the emotions of the day to really shine through.
Another thing that sets documentary videos apart is their timelessness. Trends in wedding videography come and go, but authentic storytelling never goes out of style. Years from now, when you’re watching your video with your children or grandchildren, you’ll feel like you’re right back there, reliving the day as it truly happened. And they’ll be able to truly feel it with you as well.
As I’ve been there with you, riding every emotion on your wedding day as I film through my camera lens, I feel it really helps me convey that with my edit. No outsourcing here, I want to help you feel what I felt as a guest on your wedding day and that’s why I love control over the whole process.
Finally, a documentary video can be as unique as you are. Every couple has their own story, their own dynamic, and their own special moments (and people). By focusing on the real and the unscripted, your video will reflect your day…not anyone else’s!
Ready to Book Your Documentary Wedding Video?
Now you know what to expect from your documentary wedding video. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and a documentary video is the perfect way to relive every moment of it. If you’re looking for a wedding video that feels more like a candid take on your love story than a production, a documentary style video might just be the perfect fit for you.
If this sounds like exactly what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to get in touch for a chat about your wedding plans and how we can work together to create a wedding video that you’ll appreciate forever. Get in touch with me to discuss my documentary wedding videography in Lancashire or beyond.