Things You Can Do To Take Your Signature Film To The Next Level!

Over the years I’ve had the honor of shooting a lot of weddings.  Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, Persian, etc., etc. I’ve also shot weddings all over the country. From Hartford, Connecticut to Napa Valley, California. You name it and I’ve probably shot it.

In all these weddings, there are a few things I have found that can turn a good wedding film into a great one.  These are things that are cheap (some free) and will not only make your film awesome but make your wedding day that much more special.

Here are three things that can make an awesome wedding film:

1.) Card/Gift Exchanges

Almost every couple exchanges some kind of gift the day of the wedding. So often though, I arrive for the preparations and the gifts have already been exchanged and opened. I know the excitement the morning of, but if you wait to open those gifts when both myself and your photographer are present, that emotional and memorable moment can be captured. What better way to open your Signature Wedding Film than with you opening your gift?
Card exchanges are something that are less common than gifts. Why? I have no idea! A gift is great but nothing beats a hand written letter expressing your love and affection for your significant other the morning of the wedding! You don’t need to be Shakespeare and write a sonnet; a quick paragraph will do fine. Trust me! The best wedding films I’ve ever done have card exchanges. It is a universal rule for having an awesome film!

2.) Choose your officiant wisely!
If you’re getting married at your local house of worship by your favorite pastor/priest/etc. so be it. But for those of you who don’t have someone particular in mind or are getting married out of town, take some time to research who marries you! Often I use your officiant’s message during the ceremony as the narrative that binds together your entire film. If you have an officiant who is boring, is not a good public speaker, or has nothing especially compelling to say, it will really hurt your wedding film. Ask for some sample ceremonies or maybe even a past wedding video for you to view. You can even request a copy of your ceremony before your wedding to make sure it’s up to par. Having an awesome message from your officiant will make a huge difference in the emotional impact of your film!

3.) Write your own vows!

If your religion and officiant allow it, write your own vows!!!! Don’t be lazy! I always get the excuse that “We don’t want to have to worry about it.” Tough crap! Haha. Writing your own vows will take less than an hour. You don’t need to memorize them, reading them off a small piece of paper is fine. But write from the heart! Your vows should be personal messages to one another. Writing your own will not only make your film better, but it will be the most emotional and touching moment of your entire wedding.

I hope these tips will help you make your Signature Wedding Film into an awesome Philadelphia Wedding Video.