Wedding video tips

Over the years clients have sought our advice on many aspects of ensuring the best wedding video. We've advised on how to make an entrance, which entertainers to hire and even what venue to book! So to help you, we've put together what we think are the most relevant and useful tips you might consider if you want to ensure a great wedding video.

1. Planning. It may surprise you, but a large number of clients who book us don't actually take any time to plan their wedding filming with us. We think this is essential and always encourage our clients to meet us beforehand. At this point we discuss their schedule, the types of music they like and who their key people are. Remember we make films for individuals not mass audiences, so client input before filming commences is a must!

2. Story. To make an enjoyable wedding film, one needs to be able to tell a complete story of the whole day. This should include as many different elements as possible, such as bridal preparations, guests arriving before the ceremony and behind-the-scenes material of the banquet preparations. It is much better to film a wide variety of material than to exhaustively film individual elements such as people dancing. At Bloomsbury Films we can help guide you to get the very best story out of your day.

3. Outdoors. Whatever your venue or time of year, it is good if you can have at least some elements of your wedding day outside. This can be a drinks reception, photo shoot or just going to the venue by car. The reason for this is that events taking place outdoors usually appear more visually impressive on film, as well as benefiting from better light. By comparison, a wedding in which everything takes places indoors can appear rather monotonous on film. So unless there is a tempest, we recommend at the very least slipping outside for a photoshoot.

4. Venue. It is not surprising that if film and TV producers go to great lengths to find their venues, that where you hold your wedding is likely to have a significant impact on the presentation of your wedding video. Frankly, the smartest hotel in London is seldom as visual as a picturesque country hotel. Obviously depending on your budget you should try and choose a venue that is unique in its architecture, landscape and décor. For some suggestions see Best Wedding Venues.

5. Spectacle. Another factor in creating a great film is spectacle. This can be created very simply by arriving in an old car, having a harpist playing during the drinks reception and having fireworks in the evening. Of course your budget will be a factor in what you do, but if you can afford to hire a wedding designer you can really go to town decorating your venue. Whatever it is, don't be shy to make an entrance and to create a visual spectacle!

6. People. One thing that makes a wedding so special is having the people you care most about with you in one place at one time. It's these individuals you will enjoy looking back at when you watch your wedding DVD in times to come. Therefore we'd encourage you to allow guests to leave video messages for you. We usually set up a camera in a quiet room during the evening so it's a lot of fun for them as well as for you to watch afterwards!

7. Photoshoot. It may surprise you, but very often clients don't set aside time for a private photoshoot. This can be a nice opportunity to have a moment of privacy away from guests as well as creating a very visual chapter for your wedding film. Realistically you only need about 20 minutes, but in expert hands it can create some of the most highly prized footage you will ever have of yourselves.