How to Craft a Genuine, True-to-You Wedding Film

You Don’t Want a Cookie-Cutter Wedding- Why have a cookie-cutter film?

You spend months working with your planner and fiancé, selecting linens, seating plans, tasting meal options, and selecting the perfect band to get your guests on the dance floor. Your wedding day is unique to who you two are as a couple. With all this in mind, how do you make sure your wedding film isn’t just like everyone else’s?

3 Tips for A True-to-You Wedding Film

1. Don’t follow trends – set them.

As you are working with your planner, consider looking for inspiration outside of Pinterest. If it’s already pinned, it’s already been done! Look to your favorite destinations, fashions, interior design, and art instead. This allows you to think outside of the box and help decide hat best represents your vision.

2. Showcase your love story in subtle ways.

You may think your “how we met” or “how we fell in love” story isn’t much different from others, but let us tell you– it’s perfectly yours. Where did you say “I love you” for the first time? When was the moment you realized that this was THE ONE? Mentioning these details to your planning team will help them incorporate subtle touches that wink at those moments. Did you spend a beautiful summer together in France? Have guests greeted at the reception with French Champagne served alongside a sprig of provincial berries. Maybe you finished many a college night out at Gus’s famous hot dog stand- consider this for a late-night food pass. As your wedding filmmaker, we’ll always be on the lookout for these special touches. We love hearing the stories and intention behind the details so we can incorporate them in your wedding video.

3. Write Custom Vows or Letters

One of the easiest ways to have a truly unique wedding film is to write your own vows. We love capturing these words of intention and love, promises of what is to come. Using the utmost care and discretion, we craft a wedding film that uses your vows and letters as an accompanying note. Not an in your face approach but gently telling your story alongside cinematic imagery. Not big on being the center of attention? No problem. We can come to the rehearsal dinner to capture your loved ones giving sweet toasts about the two of you and use them within your film.

4. Choose the Wedding Filmmaker Who Cares About Story

Here is a hard truth. If your wedding filmmaker is taking on clients every weekend–they most likely don’t have time to devote to learning your story and creating a film tailored to your personality and taste. Watch their films. Does every film seem to follow a chronological formula? At the end of the film, do you find yourself thinking, “wait, who were they again?” or “I feel like I know these people. This video made me FEEL something.” That is our goal. Telling your story with intention. Attention to detail, attention to your story, and presence around one another.

To see some of our films (and the incredible ways our clients incorporated personal, intentional detail): ethanhillvisuals.com/weddings