What We Truly Capture: 5 Moments Wedding Videographers Prioritize (And What We Kindly Skip)

As wedding videographers, we're here to help couples understand what truly goes into capturing your big day on film. A wedding isn't just a checklist of events—it's a love story. And great stories are told through emotion, movement, and meaningful moments. That means there are certain things we always look for—and others we tend to avoid for good reason. Here's a fun, honest look at what we actually film (and what we skip) to help you get the most out of your wedding video.

1. We Don’t Film Makeup Halfway Through — Here’s Why

When it comes to getting ready, we don’t roll the camera the second your makeup artist starts applying foundation. Why? Because no one wants footage of themselves with only one brow filled in or one lash applied. Trust me, you don’t want to watch yourself mid-contour.

We typically start filming toward the end of your hair and makeup process or once you're nearly finished. That way, you’re glowing and confident on camera. If we need shots of the makeup process for storytelling, we might film touch-ups or staged moments (like the artist applying lip gloss again). This not only flatters you but also honors the makeup artist’s work by showcasing the final, polished look.

2. We Don’t Film People Eating

Please don’t ask us to film your guests while they’re eating. No one wants to see Aunt Linda with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. It's not flattering, it's not fun to watch, and it's not storytelling.

Instead, we capture interactions — guests clinking glasses, laughing, hugging, exchanging gifts, shaking hands, and meeting new people. These are the real moments that make your wedding video come alive. The reception is where your love is shared and celebrated, not just served on a plate.

3. We Don’t Film the Entire Dance Floor All Night

Let’s be honest: even the most epic party has its lulls. While it might seem like we should capture every second of the dance floor, we focus on highlighting the moments that have real energy and emotion.

Think: everyone jumping to "Shout!", a spontaneous conga line, the couple dancing with Grandma, or the bride and her friends belting out a throwback hit. We film group moments, reactions, and high-energy dance clips that can be cut into a fast-paced, exciting montage.

If you have a choreographed dance, a surprise performance, or a special moment (like your niece dancing to your favorite song), just let us know ahead of time! I usually send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can note key events like this. We want to make sure nothing meaningful gets missed.

4. We Don’t Film Still Poses — We Chase Emotion

Videography is not photography. If you’re holding a still pose for a long time, we’re probably not filming. Our job is to capture authentic, emotional movement — not posed perfection.

What we love: you walking hand-in-hand, sneaking a kiss, laughing during vows, twirling in your dress, pulling each other close, or wiping a tear from each other’s faces. Even subtle gestures like squeezing each other’s hands or gazing into each other’s eyes have more storytelling value than a still, stiff pose. Think of it like a movie scene—if nothing’s happening, there’s no story to follow.

Photographers capture the stillness; videographers capture the motion and emotion.

5. We Don’t Film Family Group Photos (Unless There's Emotion Involved)

Group photos after the ceremony are an essential part of your day, but they’re the photographer’s domain. These are typically static, posed, and not very cinematic.

Instead, while the photographer is lining everyone up, we’re out capturing your guests mingling at cocktail hour—laughing, sipping drinks, telling stories, and genuinely enjoying the moment. These are the clips that make your film feel alive. We will film a group if there’s something special happening—a hug, a toast, a gift being exchanged—but we skip the static lineups.

Final Thoughts: We're Filmmakers, Not Just Documenters

Wedding videography isn’t about recording every single second; it’s about telling your story through moments that matter. We’re looking for emotion, energy, and authenticity. Think of us like filmmakers on a love set. We're not just there to press record—we're there to capture what makes your love story unforgettable.

If you're a couple looking for a cinematic approach to your day, or a vendor wanting to collaborate smoothly, check out more of my work and let’s make some wedding magic happen!