A Behind The Scenes look at how Tim Jeghers approaches making a wedding video.
(Please note that all of the images in this blog post are screenshots from unedited raw footage)
On the day of the wedding, Videographers work in tandem with the venue(s) and Photographers for a majority of the day. Our goal is to be efficient and optimize our time as much as possible so that we can do our job and allow you ample time to enjoy the celebration!
Everything Pre-Ceremony
We usually start off with capturing the wedding party as candidly as possible as they are getting ready. During this time we also stage up the details (rings, shoes, etc) to get those ultra cinematic shots. Doing a gift exchange, letter readings, or first looks with parents? We got it covered! All of these special moments mixed with details and candid shots tell a big part of the story.
The First Look
This is a great example of how we work alongside the photographers. Throughout the day we will handle coordinating the best positioning to ensure photo and video can capture all of the special moments as they happen in parallel with one another. Our goal at all times is to be discreet and unobtrusive. All you do is show up, leave the rest to us!
During the Ceremony
The videographers will get a variety of shots and angles, including close-ups of the bride and groom, wide shots of the ceremony space, guest reactions, and footage of the wedding party. Having multiple angles allows us to create a much more interesting final product, so most packages offer 3-4 cameras running at all times.
How do we Capture Audio?
Sound is crucial for video so we go all out to ensure it sounds great and is captured well. Typically the Groom and Officiant will be on wireless microphones that we get a direct feed from. We simultaneously record ambient noise with a field recorder tucked away in the alter out of sight. As a backup, we also record off of the DJ's soundboard and each camera captures ambient noise. At Samuel and Brittneys wedding we ran 7 sources of audio and you would never even know.
On average, we are capturing audio from 5 different sources during anything with important sound.
Side note! As you can tell there is a lot of equipment we use and we do require some time to set up at each location. In order to keep the flow uninterrupted we will review the timeline with you before the wedding and plan accordingly. We recommend having 2 to 3 Videographers on the big day so that video coverage is continuous while we have someone on our team simultaneously setting up.
At this wedding I prepped the B, C, and D Cameras for the ceremony while my associates were capturing
guests arriving/mingling, ceremony details, and the bridal party taking formal photos.
Here is a screenshot from the editing floor when we put all of the angles together for the ceremony.
In the multi-cam clip below, you will notice that the photographers are blocking two shots. That's not a problem for us because with multiple angles we ensure we have somewhere to cut to. Not only does this give us added security for a smooth, polished, and engaging video, it allows the photographers unrestricted movement throughout the day. This allows both teams to have above optimal creativity and workflow all day.
(Please note that all of the images in these screenshots are from unedited raw footage)
What Happens Between the Ceremony and Reception?
After the ceremony there are usually more formals and/or golden hour photos for the bridal party and couple. At this point, one videographer will stick around to capture candids of the formal photo session, as well as those epic cinematic shots you see in most wedding videos. All the while the second videographer is re-setting up all of the camera and audio equipment for the reception.
During the Reception
We take a similar approach to the reception as we do with the ceremony. Usually we run 3 to 4 cameras, multiple audio feeds, and any necessary lighting. 2 cameras maintain focus on the main events taking place while 1 camera gets the guests reaction, and the 4th camera gets the main events from the guests perspective (Floating Camera).
You can expect us to shoot everything in it's entirety, including, but not limited to:
Guests arriving and mingling
The wedding party being announced and entering the reception venue
The first dance between the newlyweds
Speeches given by the wedding party or other guests
Any special traditions or performances that take place during the reception
Candid moments and interactions between the wedding party and guests
The cake cutting and any other food or dessert being served
Dancing and other activities that take place during the reception
Our focus is always to capture the atmosphere and events of the reception, as well as any special or memorable moments that occur.
Do We Need This Much Video?
We have a range of options that meet almost every couples needs. Most weddings don't require a 4 person video team, this many cameras, and all of the equipment we used on this day. Given the size of this wedding (250 guests) and the couples preferences, a larger crew was deemed necessary. Most commonly we have a 2-3 person team running 3-4 cameras. Depending on what you are looking for, our pre-set packages meet most peoples needs. We also offer custom packages to meet specific expectations since every wedding and couple are different!
Hope you found this behind the scenes look at wedding videography helpful!