DIY Wedding Video with a Professional Flair

By Cheryl Ayres from Home Video Hits

If you’re looking for a low key approach to your wedding video, why not consider asking your guests to bring their video cameras to capture the day for you?

Here are our Top 10 Tips to help them take the best footage for you, because nobody knows you better than your family and friends. If you feel comfortable with that approach you could even skip getting a professional videographer and save yourself some of the expense that comes with it.

Two are better than one

Try to get at least 2 people to video your wedding. This eases the responsibility of one person to get everything and with a little planning you can combine their footage to get the best sights and sounds of your day. If possible, ask people who are good at using their video. It may work better if they’re not closely involved in the wedding so they don’t mind being available to video.

Let them know

Talk to them about what you’re looking for in a video; what’s the plan for the day and how much you would like them to film (from Bride’s house, to ceremony, photos, speeches, dancing and through to the last of the reception).

Don’t forget the VIPs

If they don’t know your families, make sure you tell them the important people to film like parents, grandparents and siblings of the Bride and Groom so they can include them in the video!

Check the lay of the land

Suggest the people videoing come to your wedding rehearsal to see the setup and plan the best places to stand. That way you can all talk to the minister / priest / celebrant about the plan for the ceremony and make sure they capture the important moments (Walking the aisle – both ways!, flowers, “I do’s”, exchange of rings, passages to be read, signing the register etc).

Set the scene

Ask them to video people arriving at the Church/garden. It helps to establish the scene in a video and in a few years time it’ll be fun to look back on the people and fashions of the times. It also adds a special quality to see all your friends and family dressed up and gathered to celebrate your special day!

The soundtrack of your ceremony

In the Church/Ceremony, if there are 2 people filming, make sure one stands near a speaker or near the service and that both people don’t stop filming to ensure the whole ceremony and any music is captured. Including before and after the ceremony. Music at the ceremony can then be used as a soundtrack to the video.

Your new best friend the MC!

At the reception, suggest they introduce themselves and get to know the DJ or MC so they know what will happen and when. Often the MCs will give you 5 minutes warning before cake cutting / bridal waltz / speeches etc so you can be up there with the photographers.

The little things count

Don’t forget to capture the details like the bride’s flowers, lapel flowers, the bride’s dress (pan slowly up from the bottom), any hair pieces, the look of the church/garden, the signed marriage certificate, the rings etc.) Take around 7 to 10 seconds on each and hold that camera still!

Video messages – a great touch

Ask them to video messages from the other wedding guests. It gives your video a wonderful personal touch that can’t always be captured by strangers.

The End

Take some footage to finish off the wedding, such as the garter/flower catch, the couple leaving or the guests leaving. It gives you an end to the story when you watch the finished video.

Don’t forget to give this guide to your videographers to help them get organised.

After your special day, take your footage to Home Video Hits who will capture all the emotion and romance of your special day using digital editing, effects, your choice of music and titles all personalised to meet your wishes. You will be amazed with the professional result!

Click here to read their reviews and secure Home Video Hits for your wedding.