5 Personal Touches for an Unforgettable Wedding
5 Personal Touches for an Unforgettable Wedding
Having been a wedding videographer in New England for over 10 years, I’ve seen a lot of wedding day trends come and go.
In that time, however, I’ve seen one thing remain constant; couples that are intentional about their day have a much more personal wedding day experience (not to mention wedding films that are able to really show their unique stories and personalities).
I’ve created a list of the top 5 things (plus a bonus) you can do to give your wedding day a personal touch and also give your videographer everything they need to create an amazing wedding film for you.
That being said, not all wedding videographers are natural storytellers, so choosing the right videographer will also play a crucial role here. If you are still looking for someone you can inquire about your wedding date here.
Ok, let’s dive in!
Tip #1: Exchange Letters
Some of the most memorable moments we have captured on the wedding day have actually been brides reading notes, cards, or letters from their soon-to-be husbands, and vice versa. This can be done on its own, or as part of a gift exchange. These can be super emotional, funny, somewhere in between, or a little of both!
Receiving a handwritten letter from your soon-to-be spouse right before you see them at the first look or ceremony adds another level of joy and excitement to the day.
It also provides a wonderful piece of content to use in your wedding film!
Many of my couples opt to have me capture them reading it out loud on the wedding day. Its not just about capturing the words themselves, but the emotion behind your voice as you read them.
Tip #2: Have a First Look
If you are not familiar with a first look - it’s when you and your fiancé meet at a predetermined time and location to see each other BEFORE the ceremony.
I know what you might be thinking; “What about that moment when we see each other for the first time at the ceremony? Wouldn’t a first look take that moment away?”
By having a first look you actually take that moment and make it even MORE personal and intimate by removing literally everything but the two of you (and maybe a couple of cameras).
A first look will also probably be one of the only opportunities you will have to spend some time alone together and chat on the wedding day. These first look moments are as authentic as you can get and really add to the dynamic of the wedding film.
There’s of course a bunch of other benefits, but I go over that in a separate post.
Tip #3: Private Vows
Maybe you want your wedding ceremony to be more light and less formal but you still have some more personal or emotional things to say to one another. Or maybe it’s the opposite and the ceremony will be super formal and you want the opportunity to have that moment together where you can be in a more relaxed setting and just be yourselves. With certain religious ceremonies such as Greek Orthodox weddings, the bride and groom traditionally do not speak at all.
Regardless of the reason, private vows can be arranged in a number of ways on the wedding day, but it is most commonly done as part of the first look. It can also be done as a no-look where you would stand back to back, or could be done after the ceremony, as long as you build in some time.
This can be such a beautiful moment - and in the spirit of showing rather than telling, take a moment to watch these Beautiful Private Wedding Vows.
Tip #4: Personal Vows
One of the easiest ways to make your wedding more personal is to simply make personal vows during the ceremony! Even if they are still loosely based on the traditional vows, this is a great low-friction way to personalize your wedding.
As a wedding filmmaker, if I could wave a magic wand and guarantee one thing for all my future weddings it would be this (although I do find that most couples that gravitate to my style of filmmaking already plan on doing this).
Pro Tip: It’s even better if you talk about your love story a bit (mention when you met, or when you knew they were the one), it really does help your filmmaker tell your story if we have your words to work with!
Tip #5: Talk with Your Speech-Givers.
I’ve been filming weddings for over a decade. In that time I’ve heard hundreds upon hundreds of speeches and toasts. There have been some absolutely great ones, some not so great ones, and some downright terrible ones.
Think about what you would like spoken about at your wedding, and communicate that to your maid of honor, best man, and anyone else who will be speaking at your wedding.
An example might be “I’d love for you to just talk a little about maybe how we know each other, and what it was like from your perspective when we started dating, maybe a quick funny story about the two of us early in the relationship, and then anything else you want to say.”
The bottom line is to be intentional about what you would like to have said without dictating what to say.
Bonus Tip: Have A Story Session
What is a Story Session?
It is a chance for you and your videographer to sit down before the wedding day and chat about your story! This is a great opportunity for them to just soak in as much as they can so that they are best prepared to capture your story on the wedding day.
How did you meet? Did you face any challenges in your relationship (long distance, illness, etc)? What was the proposal like? When did you know that they were the one? What was it like meeting the family?
The answers to all of these questions will prepare your videographer to know what to look for on the wedding day. Read that again.
Conclusion
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that you will look back on for the rest of your lives. What you choose to do, say, and have said about you will echo throughout generations.
Be intentional.
Paramount to these choices on your wedding day is your choice of videographer. I'm here to be your storyteller, collaborator, and guide on this adventure. Let's chat about what's most important to you and how we can make your wedding film truly exceptional.
I limit the amount of weddings I take each year so I can focus intently on each one. If you think I may be a great fit for you, please contact me right away so we have the best chance of working together.
If I’m available for your wedding date, we’ll set up a time to chat over FaceTime or Zoom so we can meet! I’m looking forward to connecting with you!