You've booked your wedding videographer - congratulations! Now comes the part that many couples overlook: preparing for the day itself. A little preparation goes a long way in making sure your wedding film is everything you hoped it would be.
As Melbourne-based wedding videographers, here are our top 10 tips for couples to help you get the most out of your wedding videography experience.
1. Share Your Run Sheet Early
Your videographer needs to know the full timeline of your day - what time things start, where they're happening and how long each element runs. Send your final run sheet at least two weeks before the wedding so there's time to plan coverage properly.
2. Tell Us Who the Key People Are
Every wedding has VIPs beyond the couple - parents, grandparents, siblings, the best friend who flew in from overseas. Make a short list of key people you want captured and share it with your videographer beforehand.
3. Allow Enough Time for Getting Ready
Getting ready footage is some of the most emotional and beautiful content in a wedding film. Allow at least 90 minutes of buffer time so the morning doesn't feel rushed - rushed mornings show in the footage.
4. Choose a Getting Ready Space With Good Light
Natural light is a videographer's best friend. Whenever possible, choose a getting ready space with large windows and good natural light. Avoid dark hotel rooms or basement bridal suites where possible.
5. Plan a First Look (Optional but Recommended)
A first look - where partners see each other privately before the ceremony - creates an incredibly intimate, emotional moment on film. It also frees up time during cocktail hour for couple portraits with better light. It's completely optional, but couples who do it almost always say it was one of their favourite moments of the day.
6. Write Personal Vows
If you're writing personal vows, please write them. Nothing in a wedding film carries more emotional weight than hearing two people speak honestly and personally to each other. These moments are irreplaceable on film
7. Brief Your MC About Audio
Ask your MC to use the microphone consistently throughout speeches and announcements. Poor audio from speeches is one of the most common issues in wedding films - and it's completely preventable with a quick conversation beforehand.
8. Plan for a Golden Hour Portrait Session
The 30–45 minutes after sunset produces the most beautiful natural light of the entire day. If your timeline allows, build in a short portrait session during golden hour. The footage from this window is almost always the most stunning in the final film.
9. Let Go on the Day
The couples who get the best wedding films at Melbourne are the ones who stop worrying about the camera and just live in their day. Trust your videographer - they'll find you. The more present and natural you are, the more beautiful your film will be.
10. Communicate Any Surprises in Advance
Flash mobs, surprise performances, unexpected guests - if something unplanned is going to happen, let your videographer know in advance. We can't capture a surprise we don't know is coming.
Ready to Start Planning?
Watch our wedding films to get a feel for our style, or get in touch to check your date availability. You might also find our guide on what to expect when working with a wedding videographer helpful as you prepare.
