Top Wedding Video Styles: Which One Is Right for You?
Your wedding day is one of the most memorable occasions in your life, and the way you choose to preserve those precious moments is just as important. Wedding videography has evolved significantly, offering a variety of styles that cater to different preferences, personalities, and wedding themes. Whether you're after something romantic, cinematic, or fun, there's a style that’s perfect for you. Here’s a look at the top wedding video styles and how to choose the one that best suits your vision for the big day.
1. Cinematic Wedding Video Style
What is it?
Cinematic wedding videos are designed to look like a high-budget film. They are beautifully shot, using creative camera angles, slow-motion sequences, and artistic editing techniques. This style often includes dramatic soundtracks and a focus on storytelling, with the goal of making your wedding video feel like a movie.
Who is it for?
If you and your partner are fans of films and enjoy the idea of having your wedding look like a blockbuster, the cinematic style is perfect for you. It’s ideal for couples who appreciate high production values and are drawn to romantic, sweeping shots.
Examples:
A couple walking hand-in-hand through a sun-drenched garden, filmed with soft, glowing lighting.
A first look captured in slow motion with dramatic music swelling in the background.
An aerial drone shot of the wedding venue or venue’s grand entrance.
Why Choose It?
Cinematic videos offer a glamorous, visually stunning representation of your wedding day. They focus on key moments with an emphasis on style and aesthetics, making them a popular choice for couples who want a unique, movie-like experience.
2. Documentary Wedding Video Style
What is it?
The documentary style is a more traditional approach to wedding videography. It’s focused on capturing the day as it unfolds, with minimal interference. The goal is to document the events naturally and authentically, often with little to no direction from the videographer. The final result is a wedding film that tells the true story of your day, with real emotions, interactions, and candid moments.
Who is it for?
If you want to relive the day as it truly happened, the documentary style is ideal. It’s perfect for couples who appreciate authenticity and want a more laid-back, “fly on the wall” approach to their wedding video. It’s also great for larger, more formal weddings where a more structured timeline needs to be followed.
Examples:
A behind-the-scenes shot of the bride getting ready with her bridesmaids.
The groom's emotional reaction as he sees his bride walk down the aisle.
Unscripted laughter, candid conversations, and little moments of joy.
Why Choose It?
Documentary wedding videos give you a chance to relive the moments in a raw, unpolished way. It’s perfect for those who value real-life moments over dramatic flair. This style tends to be less staged, which makes it ideal for couples who want something more grounded and heartfelt.
3. Highlight Reel Wedding Video Style
What is it?
Highlight reel wedding videos are short, fast-paced summaries of your wedding day, typically lasting between 3-8 minutes. They offer a snapshot of the most important and emotional moments of the day, paired with music and creative edits. It’s an energetic and engaging way to relive the wedding, capturing everything from the vows to the dance floor fun.
Who is it for?
Highlight reels are perfect for couples who want to capture the best moments of their wedding in a quick, digestible format. It’s ideal for couples who may not want to commit to a full-length wedding film but still want something that encapsulates the energy and joy of their day.
Examples:
A montage of the ceremony, first kiss, and cheers at the reception, all set to a fun song.
Fast cuts of guests dancing, laughing, and celebrating.
A quick sequence of meaningful moments, like the couple exchanging vows, their first dance, and the cake cutting.
Why Choose It?
If you want a wedding video that’s easy to share with friends and family or post on social media, the highlight reel is the way to go. It’s energetic, captivating, and often has a sense of urgency, ensuring that even in a short format, it captures the essence of your special day.
4. Traditional Wedding Video Style
What is it?
Traditional wedding videos follow a chronological format, often divided into chapters such as the ceremony, speeches, cake cutting, and dancing. This style is more straightforward and generally includes the full coverage of the key moments of the wedding, often with little to no creative edits beyond the basics.
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for a classic, no-frills wedding video that gives you everything from start to finish, the traditional style is the best option. It’s ideal for couples who want to preserve the wedding in its entirety and don’t want to miss out on any detail, from the ceremony to the after-party.
Examples:
Full coverage of the ceremony, including vows, rings, and kiss.
Complete speeches from the best man, maid of honor, and parents.
Extended coverage of the reception, including dancing, mingling, and special moments.
Why Choose It?
Traditional wedding videos are perfect for couples who want a comprehensive record of the entire day without missing anything. If you don’t mind a more straightforward approach and want a full video to relive each part of your celebration, this is a solid choice.
5. Love Story or Pre-Wedding Video Style
What is it?
A love story or pre-wedding video is a unique and personal approach to wedding videography. This style typically involves a short film created before the wedding day that tells the couple’s love story, often through interviews, re-enactments, or even visual storytelling. These videos can be shown at the wedding as a fun, heartfelt moment or kept as a keepsake.
Who is it for?
Couples who enjoy sharing the details of their love story will love this style. It’s perfect for those who want to express their journey and give guests a deeper understanding of their relationship.
Examples:
The couple sharing how they met, with cutaway shots to their favorite date spots.
Re-enactments of significant moments in their relationship, such as the proposal.
A montage of the couple laughing and talking about their hopes for the future.
Why Choose It?
A love story video adds a personal touch to your wedding day. It’s a great way to share the history behind your relationship with your guests in a creative and engaging way. This type of video can also serve as a timeless memory for you and your partner to look back on for years to come.
How to Choose the Right Wedding Video Style for You
1. Consider Your Personality and Wedding Theme
If you love grand gestures, cinematic videos with dramatic flair might suit you best. If you’re more laid-back and prefer a relaxed wedding, a documentary-style video that focuses on real moments might be the better fit.
2. Think About What You Want to Remember
Do you want to remember every little detail of your day, or are you more interested in a few key moments? If you want a deep dive into the wedding, the traditional or documentary style will serve you well. For something quick and fun, opt for a highlight reel.
3. Decide How You Want to Share It
If you plan to share your wedding video on social media or with family members who don’t have time for a full-length feature, a highlight reel might be the most practical option. However, if you envision watching the full day’s events together for years to come, a traditional or documentary video is more fitting.
4. Balance Budget and Expectations
Keep in mind that more creative, cinematic styles often come with a higher price tag due to the time spent editing and crafting the film. A documentary or highlight reel might be a more affordable option without sacrificing quality.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right wedding video style can be just as important as picking the right venue or dress. Whether you go for the cinematic grandeur of a film-inspired edit, the raw honesty of a documentary-style video, or the punchy fun of a highlight reel, it’s important that your wedding film reflects who you are as a couple and captures the essence of your big day. Whichever style you choose, your wedding video will become a cherished reminder of one of the happiest days of your life.
