Calling in a videographer to capture your big day is something many couples will opt for. The bride and groom will want all the small details of their wedding recorded, from start to finish, and edited neatly into one video they can watch back in years to come.
While paying for a professional can rack up wedding costs, asking your friends and family to film is a less expensive and increasingly popular option.
But before trusting your loved ones with the camera, there are a few things to think about. HELLO! Online stepped into the shoes of renowned videographer Jeff Wood, who gave us tips and tricks on how to film the big day...
© Photo: iStockDon't miss the big moments... You have to be on your toes and watch the photographer for instructions. Sometimes when a photographer is under pressure, they'll forget to tell the videographer what they're doing next so you have to be ready with your camera and move quickly to capture the big moments ā you don't want to miss the throwing of the bouquet, the cutting of the cake, the first dance etc.
But don't forget the small details... The groom straightening his tie, the bride putting on her shoes, a close-up shot of the confetti are all visually more important than the main events. These shots will complete the video and make it look pretty, and fill up the space between the big moments. The small details are often nicer to watch back than plain scenes of people standing and talking, so it's the mixture of stills and action shots that makes the film.
Get creative... Film reflections in mirrors, record through glass objects or past a bunch of flowers to make shots more interesting instead of straight-on filming.
Use a tripod... For the main ceremony and speeches so your arms don't get tired. If you want to zoom in, set this up on your camera beforehand and not while you're recording otherwise it'll look like a home video.
The rule of three... Try and film the same scene in three different angles for a more creative video. You'll also have more choice when doing the final edit.
Bringing in video cameras introduces a new level of self-consciousness... So make sure you get as far away from guests as possible and use long lenses or zoom in. As soon as they realise you're not going to ask them to do or say anything to the camera, they'll relax.
How to avoid the shaky hand... Use cameras that have built-in technology, such as Sony's new 4K Sony HandyCam FDR-AXP33. It comes equipped with balanced optical steady shot technology that avoids blurry shots.
Badly shot footage can still be used though... Professional companies that hand out video recorders for guests to use on the day will be responsible for doing the final edit, and sometimes badly shot footage can be edited in a funny way, so don't despair. Also ask your family and friends to leave recorded messages for you to make the video even more personal.
HELLO! Online met videographer Jeff Wood at a Sony 4K masterclass to introduce the brand's latest 4K HandyCam, the FDR-AXP33.
