Highlight vs. Documentary wedding films
Before you book with ANY videographer its important to know what type of wedding film you are looking for. There are usually two different type of films. There is documentary style and then there is highlight style. There are very different and require different planning depending on which one you want. Its important to know what you want BEFORE you book, first because you don’t want to book the wrong videographer. Videographers usually do one or the other. Its rare to find a videographer who does highlights willing to do documentary style and vis versa. In the post I’m going to talk about what the differences are between these two types of films. As a videographer myself I want to help you in your journey towards the wedding video YOU want.
What do you want in your wedding film?
There are some moments to every wedding that are pretty universal. There is always a reciting of the vows, toasts from family members and close friends. There’s the bride’s walk down the aisle, and the couple walking down the aisle together to end the ceremony. Then there are the first dances, and the reception party. The vast majority of wedding videos will cover most if not all this. But the question is how do you want these moments covered? Do you want the vows and toasts recorded in full? Or even the entire ceremony? Or do you want something that’s shorter and faster paced? Either can result in a good finished film, and it comes down to a matter of taste. But as much as every wedding shares many of the same elements, it’s also true that every wedding is unique. Two families coming together, it’s likely that your wedding will have a mix of traditions merged into something new. It’s these individual customs that will make your day special, and you’ll want to make sure your videographer covers them effectively. It’s important that you communicate with your videographer and clearly explain which parts of your wedding are most important. Go over your schedule and let them know what the highlights will be and what your expectations will be for the completed film. This might include poetry readings or songs performed during the ceremony or group games played during the reception. Clear communication with your videographer will ensure that nothing gets missed and you end up with a wedding video that’s just as amazing as the wedding itself.
Highlight Wedding Films
Highlight are usually shorter, the average is usually between 5-9 minutes. It will be faster paced and more cinematic. People usually think with a highlight film not everything is added but this isn’t true. Each part of your day is condensed and included in the film. Longer films can sometimes be “boring” so highlight puts together the full day in a more engaging way. It is like taking your love story and creating a movie trailer that can be shared with your friends and family. One drawback to a highlight film is that because it only includes the best parts, some parts of the ceremony and reception may be left out. Some videographers will allow a full ceremony edit as an add on. This allows the couple to get “best of both worlds” they get the amazing highlight films of their day they can share and a full ceremony edit that doesn’t exclude any part of the ceremony. If that is something you are looking for, ask your videographer if this is an add on they include.
Documentary Wedding Films
Some people want a deeper looking into their wedding day. They chose to do a documentary style film instead of a hihglhgt. Documentary style is not faced paced, but includes, full coverage of the ceremony from start to finish, full coverage of all the speeches, the first dances, and the dance party. The order of events will generally go in chronological order, and can even involve documentary style interviews with the bride and groom and select family and friends. This style does create a longer film that cannot be shared on social media. This style also tends to be more expensive. Since the videographers would have to be there longer and record more footage to ensure nothing is missed. Usually a third person is need to capture sound and when it comes to editing it takes a lot longer to go through the footage and create your edit. For some couples, these added expenses are worth it to see parts of their day the missed all come together. The couple gets a unique view of their day from multiple perspectives.
The great news is, there is no wrong answer whichever style you and your significant other chose, the right videographer is out there for you. Once you find them, always communicate what you are looking for and you will be happy with your final film.