The Top Rules for Creating a Beautiful and Memorable Wedding Film

Want to capture your wedding in the most beautiful and meaningful way possible? Then you need to find a videographer who follows these essential rules! From capturing the big moments to paying attention to the little details, these guidelines will ensure that you get a high-quality and unforgettable video of your special day.

If you want a truly exceptional wedding videographer, then you need to find a filmmaker who follows certain rules to ensure that they capture all the special moments and details of your big day. And trust us, you don't want to take any risks when it comes to hiring a videographer! Without the right attention to detail and experience, you risk missing out on important shots or ending up with footage that is of poor quality.

But don't worry, we have the solution! By looking for a videographer who follows the rules outlined in this article, you can be confident that you are hiring a professional who really knows how to capture your wedding in a way that is meaningful, beautiful, and totally unique to you. Whether you are looking for a documentary-style video or a more cinematic highlights film, these rules will help you find a videographer who has the skills and experience to create a truly unforgettable record of your special day.

As a wedding videography company, Snowbird Films is dedicated to creating fun and unobtrusive films that tell the complete story of your special day. Our focus is on capturing the big moments and reactions in a documentary format, as well as creating a shorter highlights film with a cinematic style. To achieve these goals, we follow a set of rules that help us to deliver the best possible product for our clients.
Before we discuss the rules we follow on the day of the wedding, here are three general rules we have:






Rule 1: Communicate with the couple before the wedding to understand their vision and preferences.
Before the wedding, it is important to communicate with the couple to understand their vision and preferences for their film. This may include discussing their style and aesthetic, the key moments and people they want to be featured in the film, and any specific requests or concerns they may have. By taking the time to understand the couple's vision, you can ensure that you are able to create a film that truly reflects their unique style and personality.

Rule 2: Edit the film in a way that enhances the story and emotions of the event.
The editing process is an important part of creating a great wedding film. By carefully selecting and sequencing the footage, you can create a film that tells the story of the event in a compelling way and enhances the emotions of the day. It is important to take the time to experiment with different edits and to collaborate with the couple to ensure that the final film reflects their vision and preferences.

Rule 3: Continuously educate yourself and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques and equipment used in wedding videography.
The field of wedding videography is constantly evolving, and it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. This may include attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, and experimenting with new equipment and software. By continuously educating yourself, you can stay ahead of the curve and deliver the best possible product to your clients.


Now onto the on the day wedding videography rules



Rule 1: Use our experience to make the technical and logistical decisions that ensure the best possible results.
As experienced wedding videographers, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that we can use to make the technical and logistical decisions that ensure the best possible results. This may include choosing the correct camera and lens for different settings, adjusting the white balance and exposure to ensure optimal image quality, and knowing when to change batteries and cards. We also have the experience to know when to switch to a higher frame rate for slow motion and how this will affect the camera's ISO and shutter speed. By using our experience to make these important decisions, we can ensure that we are always in the right place at the right time and that we are able to capture beautiful and high-quality video footage for our clients.

Rule 2: Try to blend in and be unobtrusive whilst Interacting with the key wedding party and guests to stay informed and friendly.

At Snowbird Films, we believe that the best way to capture the genuine emotions of your wedding is by interacting with the wedding party and guests in a natural and unobtrusive way. We strive to blend into the background and become a part of the event, rather than a distraction.
However, if we are asked a question, to help or to direct people to get a specific shot, we are happy to oblige.

Rule 3: Record professional audio for all important wedding moments, including speeches, readings, and vows.
Audio is a crucial element of any wedding film, and we take great care to ensure that all of the important moments are captured with high-quality sound. We use professional equipment and techniques to capture clear and accurate audio of the ceremony, speeches, readings, and vows.

Rule 4: Focus on capturing the big moments of the day, as well as the reactions of the couple and their loved ones.
The most memorable moments of a wedding are the ones that truly matter to the couple and their loved ones. At Snowbird Films, we prioritise capturing these big moments, as well as the reactions of the couple and their guests. We believe that these are the moments that truly tell the story of your special day.

Rule 5: Pay special attention to key individuals, such as the couple's parents and siblings.
While the couple is naturally the focus of the wedding, there are often other key individuals who play important roles in the event. These may include the couple's parents, siblings, and close friends. At Snowbird Films, we make sure to capture these important people and their reactions to the big moments of the day.

Rule 6: Look for special touches that make the wedding personal to the couple.
Every wedding is unique, and the details that make it personal to the couple are often what make it truly special. At Snowbird Films, we pay close attention to these special touches and make sure to capture them in our films. From the flowers and decorations, to the special dance or song, we strive to capture the elements that truly make your wedding your own.

Rule 7: Choose a tripod location that is optimal for the shot, while still considering the impact on the guests' view.
When setting up our tripods for the ceremony and speeches, we strive to find the best possible location for the shot while also taking into consideration the impact on the guests' view. We try to find a compromise that allows us to get the best shot while still being respectful of the guests' experience. In addition, we may use discreet cameras in other locations to capture different angles.

Rule 8: Work closely with other vendors, especially the photographer, to ensure a smooth and successful event.
We believe that the key to a successful wedding is good communication and teamwork with all of the vendors involved. At Snowbird Films, we make a point of working closely with the photographer and other vendors to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that everyone is able to do their best work. We also aim to enhance the day for the couple and make it as stress-free as possible.

Rule 9: Stay informed about the schedule and plan ahead to be prepared for any changes.
One of the keys to capturing great wedding footage is being prepared for anything. At Snowbird Films, we make a point of staying informed about the schedule and any changes that may occur. We also try to anticipate potential issues and plan ahead to be ready for them. By being well-prepared, we are able to adapt to any changes and make sure that we capture all of the important moments of the day.

Rule 10: Collaborate with the DJ to ensure the best lighting for the first dance and other evening shots.
Good lighting is essential for creating high-quality wedding footage, and we work closely with the DJ to ensure that we have optimal lighting for the first dance and other evening shots. By collaborating with the DJ and other vendors, we can create beautiful and memorable films that truly capture the spirit of the event.

Rule 11: Use a combination of tripod, gimbal, and freehand techniques to capture a variety of angles and moments.
To get the best possible footage, we use a combination of different techniques and equipment. We use tripods for the ceremony and speeches, gimbals for setting details and couple shots, and freehand for moments where we need to be more discreet and blend in more like a photographer, such as during bridal preparations or in tight spaces. By using a variety of techniques, we are able to capture a wide range of angles and moments in a natural and unobtrusive way.

Rule 12: Use a combination of manual focus, auto focus, and assist modes to achieve the best results in different lighting conditions.
Depending on the lighting conditions, we may use different focus modes to get the best results. In low light conditions, we may use manual focus or low light assist mode to ensure that our shots are sharp and well-exposed. In other situations, we may use auto focus or assist modes to get the best possible focus. By using a combination of focus modes, we are able to adapt to different lighting conditions and capture beautiful footage.

Rule 13: Keep an eye out for spontaneous moments between guests, as these can often make for great video footage.
Some of the most memorable moments at a wedding are the spontaneous ones that happen between guests. At Snowbird Films, we are always on the lookout for these special moments and try to capture them in our films. Whether it's a heartfelt conversation between friends or a playful moment between family members, these are the moments that truly capture the spirit of the event.


By following these 13 rules, we at Snowbird Films are able to create beautiful and memorable wedding films that truly capture the spirit of your special day. Whether it's the big moments or the spontaneous ones, we strive to create films that you will cherish for a lifetime.



Rule 14: Always have a backup plan.
In the world of wedding videography, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. At Snowbird Films, we always have a backup plan in place to ensure that we are able to adapt to any challenges that may arise. This may include having backup equipment on hand, having a plan in place for dealing with inclement weather, or having a contingency plan for any other unforeseen circumstances. By having a backup plan, we can continue to deliver high-quality footage to our clients, no matter what challenges come our way.

We also add a bonus rule when the couple book a second videographer from our team

Rule for second videographer : Experiment with different camera angles and shots to add variety and interest to the film.
To create a dynamic and visually appealing film, it is important to experiment with different camera angles and shots. This may include using wide shots to capture the overall atmosphere of the event, close-ups to capture intimate moments and emotions, and aerial shots to add an extra layer of interest and perspective. By using a variety of camera angles and shots, you can create a film that is visually interesting and tells the story of the event in a compelling way. We have written an article that describes how we train our second shooters and what role they play in capturing your day, I will link to it in the description