If you’re dreaming of a timeless wedding film that you can cherish for generations to come, choosing a wedding videographer is more than just picking someone to record your wedding. Rather than the “what” (the wedding), it’s about the “how!”
A wedding videography style is the lens through which a couple will relive their most important memories for years to come. It should reflect your unique relationship and your preferred tastes. But with so many wedding style terms like “cinematic,” “documentary,” and “storytelling” floating around, it can start to blend together.
What’s the difference, and which one might suit you best?
This guide breaks down what these styles actually mean and how to find the perfect creative match for your wedding day vision!
What is a Wedding Videography Style?
When we say style, what does that even mean? Of course we want a stylish film to show off to friends and family!
The wedding videography style is the “creative DNA” of the film. It isn’t just a grayscale filter or a specific type of camera. These can play a role, but it’s more about how the videographer interacts with the couple, the specific angles they choose to shoot, and the rhythm of the final edit.
A style dictates whether a film feels like a grand Hollywood production, a personal and intimate home movie, or a high-fashion editorial. Understanding these styles helps couples move past the technical talk and focus on how they want their film to feel.
Different Wedding Videography Styles and Their Impact on Your Film
Every style shapes the final narrative differently! Here are the most prominent approaches modern couples are loving right now:
- Cinematic: Think of this as the Hollywood approach. It leans into slow motion, sweeping drone shots, and dramatic lighting to create a film that feels larger than life. It’s perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like an epic romance movie.
- Documentary (Journalistic): This style is all about authenticity. The videographer acts as a fly-on-the-wall, capturing events as they happen chronologically without much direction or posing. The result is a sincere, honest reflection of the day’s candid energy.
- Storytelling: While many styles focus on the visuals, storytelling films prioritize the audio backbone. By weaving in snippets of handwritten vows, heartfelt toasts, or private letters, the film tells a narrative that is unique to the couple’s history and relationship. These storytelling styles can also leverage a 3-act story narrative to build tension and anticipation before the story’s apex (the kiss!) and resolution (the reception and grand wedding exit).
- Short-Form (Highlights): In an era of social media, many couples opt for a fast-paced, high-energy highlight reel. These films (typically 3–5 minutes) pack all the best moments into a punchy, shareable format that captures the high-energy vibe of the party!
- Fine Art/Editorial: This is a more curated approach, often characterized by soft lighting, artistic compositions, and a focus on aesthetics. It feels like a high-end fashion film or a luxury magazine spread. Glamorous!
It’s also worth noting that these styles are not strict rules. A storytelling-focused wedding film can still have a cinematic feel. Your punchy, short-form highlights can still have the luxe feel of an editorial or the candid, raw energy of a documentary. These terms are simply meant to help you describe your tastes and preferences with your wedding cinematographer!
How Pros Capture Style with Intention
Why do professional cinematographers shoot a certain way? It’s all about intent!
Capturing a moment correctly goes beyond just pressing the record button. It’s those hours of meticulous planning combined with split-second technical decisions that support the chosen style – both skills that come with decades of professional experience!
This is where you can really notice the difference between professional wedding videos and a DIY wedding video.
For instance, if your wedding cinematographer is aiming for a Cinematic look, they might choose a lens with a shallow depth of field to blur the background and keep the focus entirely on the couple’s expressions. If they’re shooting a Documentary style, they may prioritize a versatile zoom lens that allows them to stay back and capture candid laughter without intruding on the moment.
Professional videographers also think about coverage. This is all about ensuring they have the close-ups for emotion, the wide shots for the venue’s grandeur, and the B-roll (the little details) to weave the scenes together seamlessly during the edit! Setting the scene like this is especially important for storytelling styles, but any wedding film can benefit from this type of framing to ground your film in a real, physical place.
How to Choose the Right Style and Videographer
Choosing a videographer is a blend of visual research and vibe check. You need to like their style and quality of work, but you also need to click as a team! Even if you LOVE the films in their portfolio, a vendor who doesn’t communicate well might leave you feeling anxious about whether or not they’ll even show up on the big day.
Here are a few quick tips for hiring a wedding videographer who has the style, experience, and professionalism you’re looking for.
- Ask LOTS of questions! Don’t be shy. You’re trusting this person to immortalize the happiest day of your life! Ask your videographer lots of questions about their style, method, pricing packages, and anything else that crosses your mind.
- Watch Full Films, Not Just Trailers: A 20-second Instagram teaser is easy to make look good. Ask to see a full-length highlight film (3–8 minutes) to see how the videographer handles the flow and storytelling over a longer period.
- Define Your Aesthetic: Does the idea of “posing” feel awkward? Look for a Documentary-style pro. Do you want to feel like a movie star? Go Cinematic.
- Trust the Technical Portfolio: Look for consistency in their work. Are the speeches clear and easy to hear? Is the footage stable or shaky? A professional should deliver premium quality regardless of lighting conditions!
- Prioritize Connection: You’ll be spending nearly 10 hours with your videographer on your wedding day! Choose someone whose professional energy makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Do they respond in a timely manner? Are they transparent when answering questions? These little details can make you feel much more confident in your choice!
The Reverent Wedding Films Difference
At Reverent Wedding Films, we believe that the best style is the one that reflects who you are as a couple. Whether you’re looking for the emotional depth of a story-driven narrative or the polished beauty of a cinematic masterpiece, we strive to deliver a film that feels as timeless as your love story.
Ready to find your style? Explore our portfolio or reach out with your questions! We’re so excited to hear about your vision and start designing a plan to capture your magic.
