What I Learned Shooting Weddings for This Long
What I Learned Shooting Weddings for This Long
If you’ve ever watched a couple read their vows and thought, “How is anyone holding it together right now?” …yeah. Same.
I’ve been filming weddings long enough to know that the timeline will shift, the flower girl might revolt, somebody’s uncle will absolutely freestyle a toast, and the “quick five-minute sunset session” will somehow turn into the most sacred part of the whole day.
But I’ve also been around long enough to learn something deeper than camera settings and shot lists.
Weddings teach you how to pay attention.
Not just to what’s happening, but to what it means.
And if you’re planning a wedding, here’s what I’ve learned, both as the guy behind the camera and as a human who genuinely cares about the story unfolding in front of him.
The best moments are almost never the loud ones
Don’t get me wrong, I love a packed dance floor and a room that erupts when you’re announced for the first time.
But the moments that hit people in the chest years later?
They’re usually quiet.
A deep breath before walking down the aisle
A hand squeeze during the ceremony
Your mom trying to keep it together and failing (respectfully)
The way you look at each other when nobody’s watching
The loud moments are easy to remember.
The quiet moments are where the heart lives.
That’s why I’m always watching the edges of the room. The in-between. The stuff that happens when you think nothing is happening.
You don’t need to “perform” your wedding day
Somewhere along the way, weddings started feeling like a production.
Like you’re supposed to be camera-ready all day, hitting marks, nailing moments, doing what you saw on Instagram.
But the couples whose films feel the most real?
They’re the ones who let the day be what it is.
They laugh when things go sideways. They’re present. They hug a little longer. They don’t rush through moments just to get to the next thing.
Here’s the truth: your wedding film isn’t built on perfect poses.
It’s built on real connection.
So if you’re worried about being awkward on camera, good. That means you’re human. I’ll guide you when you need it, but I’m not here to stage your love. I’m here to preserve it.
Your people matter more than the details
I’ve filmed weddings with insane views, luxury venues, and the kind of florals that look like they belong in a movie.
And I’ve filmed weddings in backyards with folding chairs and a playlist someone started from their phone.
Both can be beautiful.
But what makes a wedding unforgettable is never just the look.
It’s the people.
It’s the friend who’s known you since middle school and can’t stop smiling during the ceremony. It’s your dad trying to stay strong and then losing it. It’s the way your community shows up for you.
If you take anything from this blog, take this:
When you look back, you won’t miss the details you stressed over.
You’ll be grateful you have proof of how loved you were.
That’s why I’m big on capturing voices, reactions, and real interactions, because love isn’t just seen. It’s felt.
The timeline is important, but the energy is everything
A solid timeline helps. I’m not anti-planning.
But I’ve seen couples stick to a schedule so tightly that they forget to actually live the day.
And I’ve seen couples run late but feel completely at peace because they were present with the people they love.
If you want the day to feel good, here’s what I recommend:
Build breathing room into the schedule
Don’t cram every hour with events
Prioritize moments that matter to you
Let somebody else be the “time cop” (not you)
Because the best footage comes when you’re not thinking about footage.
It’s when you’re just there.
Your vows are one of the most powerful things you’ll ever say
I’ve heard vows that were poetic and flawless.
I’ve heard vows that were nervous, messy, and delivered through tears.
And I can tell you with full confidence: the perfect vow is the honest one.
You don’t need to write like a novelist.
You just need to speak like yourself.
Say what you mean. Say what you’re promising. Say what you love.
Years from now, when life gets heavy (because life does that sometimes), those words will matter more than you can imagine.
And capturing them with clean audio isn’t a technical flex. It’s a spiritual one. It’s preserving a covenant moment.
The film isn’t the product. The memory is.
A wedding film isn’t meant to just look cinematic.
It’s meant to bring you back.
To the way the day felt.
To the nerves. The joy. The laughter that turned into tears. The moment you realized: this is real, we’re really doing this.
That’s why I’m not chasing trends.
I’m chasing truth.
Because you’re not going to watch your film in five years and care if it matched whatever editing style was popular that season.
You’ll care that it feels like you.
That it feels like home.
That it makes you feel seen.
Love is loud, but it’s also deeply holy
I’ve filmed weddings filled with culture, family traditions, wild joy, and quiet reverence.
And no matter the setting, there’s always this moment where the whole day shifts, from celebration to something sacred.
Two people choosing each other, on purpose.
And as someone whose approach is rooted in faith, I don’t take that lightly. Marriage is more than a party. It’s a beginning. A commitment. A yes you’ll live out long after the dress is stored away and the cake is gone.
That’s part of why I do what I do the way I do.
Not just to document how it looked,
but to honor what it is.
The unplanned stuff is usually the best stuff
If you’re trying to control every moment of your wedding day, I get it.
But the moments that end up being the most meaningful are often the ones you couldn’t plan if you tried.
A surprise prayer from a friend
A grandparent blessing you in a quiet corner
A storm rolling in at the exact wrong time and turning into the exact right memory
A random laugh that becomes the moment everyone remembers
My job is to stay ready for that.
To catch the real stuff.
Because real life doesn’t follow a storyboard, and honestly, thank God for that.
A quick note if you’re planning your wedding right now
If you’re in the middle of planning and your brain feels like 37 tabs are open, here’s your reminder:
You’re not planning a perfect wedding.
You’re gathering your people to witness a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
So focus on what matters:
Who you’re marrying
Who you’re surrounded by
What you want to remember
How you want it to feel
Everything else is secondary.
If you want a film that feels like you
If you’re looking for a wedding filmmaker who’s not just showing up with cameras, but showing up with care, intention, and a calm presence…
I’d love to hear your story.
Reach out through my inquiry page and tell me what you’re dreaming up. Where you’re getting married. What matters most to you. The kind of love you want preserved.
Let’s make something real together.
