Planning a wedding ceremony? Let’s capture it beautifully.

Your wedding ceremony is one of the most meaningful moments of your day. Often a time for tissues, happy tears and heartfelt words. As I film, I listen closely to every beautiful word spoken about you as a couple. From laughter to tears, ceremonies are filled with raw emotions. Not only from you but from your guests too.

I’d love to share how I capture these precious moments and what I focus on as your videographer to make your ceremony film unforgettable. Let’s dive in!

Before your wedding day or weekend begins, we’ll have a chat to understand exactly how you envision it. What moments matter most to you? How do you picture your ceremony?

Will you make your entrance on your father’s arm? Walk in together with your children? Or maybe dance your way in? Got a fun idea? I’m all ears!

And what about your witnesses, are they planning something special?

I love knowing these details in advance, so I can capture every meaningful moment without missing a thing.

I need about 25 minutes of setup time before the ceremony begins. It’s essential that all my equipment is ready to go and we’ll factor this into the planning ahead of time. During this time I set up a second camera to capture multiple angles from the perfect spot. I ensure that the audio equipment is tested and working flawlessly. Once I get the signal from the wedding planner – or whoever is coordinating – I’ll be fully in position, ready to capture every moment of your ceremony beautifully.

Set Up Your Equipment in Time

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, take advantage of a quiet moment to scout the ceremony space and plan your setup. Focus on capturing key people, the couple, the speakers and the emotions. Place your second camera in a strategic spot to get a different angle for editing later.

Capture the entrance

The couple’s entrance is a magical moment, one they should fully enjoy. Help them prepare by discussing the plan ahead of time, especially if parents or children are part of the procession.

Coordinate with the photographer before the ceremony: Will you walk alongside the bride to capture her entrance? Or will you film from the front as they walk down the aisle? Don’t change the plan last minute. If something unexpected happens, try to make eye contact with the photographer to signal your move. Personally, I usually wait at the front rather than walking with the bride. Blocking the couple’s line of sight or the photographer’s shot is a no-go for me.

Stay sharp, but soak up the magic

Filming a ceremony requires focus, but it’s also a beautiful moment to experience. Stay present and watch for emotional reactions. Those raw, heartfelt moments from family and friends add priceless depth to the final film. Film reactions, but don’t linger on one person for too long. Extended close-ups can make people uncomfortable.

Capture the Details

Don’t overlook the small touches like flowers and decorations. These elements add depth and richness to your shots and help tell the full story of the day. Couples often invest a lot of money and care into stunning floral arrangements and décor, so it’s important to showcase them in your footage. Including these details in the final film will make your couple happy, as they’ll love seeing the thoughtful design elements they carefully chose.

Prioritize quality audio, but set realistic expectations

Good audio is just as important as great visuals. Be mindful of challenging environments, like outdoor ceremonies where wind can be a major issue, especially on beaches or open fields.

Capturing the kiss

The ring exchange and the kiss, two special moments of the ceremony! To capture them perfectly, it’s essential to coordinate with the photographer in advance. Here are two great approaches:
Film from behind the couple to capture both their emotions and the reactions of their guests. This angle tells a complete story, their moment with everyone they love in the frame.
If you’re shooting from the aisle, lower your stance by bending your knees. This allows the guests behind you to see the moment clearly without obstruction.
Remember: This is a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment. Work together with the photographer to ensure the couple and their loved ones can experience it fully and beautifully on film.

Manage your second camera wisely

Remember to switch off your second camera during breaks! Filming the entire ceremony non-stop isn’t a good idea, your camera could overheat. A good time to pause is during musical interludes. I usually film the musicians first (a quick clip to capture the atmosphere). Then, I switch off my camera to let it cool down. Always ask the musicians for permission to include their performance in your video and don’t forget to credit them if you share the film on social media or your website.

Capture the couple’s exit, a very special moment!

The couple’s exit is one of my absolute favorite moments to film! Here’s how to capture it perfectly:

Coordinate with the couple. Ask them to pause briefly at the end of the aisle before walking back, this gives you time to get into position for that epic shot. If they forget, stay calm! Just sprint quickly to the aisle and capture what you can. Sometimes the unplanned moments turn out to be the best!

Movement brings magic: I love when couples celebrate with energy like tossing flower petals, sharing a kiss in the middle of the aisle or walking out hand-in-hand with pure joy. These moments create magic for both video and photos.

But most of all: I let couples be themselves, their joy and authenticity are what make the film truly special.

Little reminder for couples. Your wedding day flies by! Every single time. So, pause, breathe and enjoy every moment. It’s your day, soak it all in.

Want to become a wedding videographer yourself?

Check out my course and start your journey into wedding videography!

photos by Lausfotografie