Can You Make Your Own Wedding Video? DIY Advice
So, you're getting married! One of the big decisions you'll face is how to capture your special day. Hiring a professional videographer is now seen as a vital addition to any wedding, but if you’re struggling a little with your budget, you might be wondering "Can I make my own wedding video?" The short answer is yes, but it's not as simple as pointing a camera and hitting record. Let's dive into details so you can decide what’s right for you.
The DIY Wedding Video Challenge
Making your own wedding video is definitely an option, and for some people it’s important to try and save as much money as possible. However, it's a lot of hard work. It requires detailed preparation, practice, good quality equipment, and to even recruit some dedicated guests to help with filming. And once the big day is over, the real work begins! You'll need editing software and the skills to turn all that footage into a beautiful, cohesive video, complete with music and those important audio clips from your ceremony and speeches.
The Cons of DIY
While saving money is a plus, there are some risks to consider:
Technical Challenges: Capturing all the important moments from different angles while also being present in the moment is tough! If your guests operating the cameras run into a problem, they will most likely not know how to fix it, and they can’t ask you to stop and start over again! Also, whether someone is getting good footage or not is the last thing you should be worrying about during the most important moments of your wedding day.
Potential Missed Moments: One of the biggest challenges professional wedding photographers and videographers face is making sure they capture every single important moment, they can’t afford to miss the first kiss, walking down the aisle, the audio of your speeches. So it’s important to remember that it’s your friends and family that you’re asking to do this, and because they aren’t seasoned professionals, there’s a chance some moments might be missed, or out of focus.
Pressure on Guests: Also remember that, because you’re asking your guests to do this very important job for you on the day, it means that it will be harder for those guests to relax and enjoy the day fully as a guest. And some people might take it so seriously that they don’t end up actually enjoying your wedding.
Editing Complexity: Editing a professional-looking wedding video takes time and skill. It's not just putting clips next to each other; it's about storytelling. You need to think about layering audio clips with music, transitions between moments, adding slow-motion for moments like the confetti or first kiss moments.
Before You Decide: Key Factors
Before you grab your camera, think about these things:
Your Filming Skills: Do you or any of your guests have experience with video cameras and basic editing software? Be honest with yourself to make sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew.
Importance of High-Quality Footage: Are you willing to compromise on video quality for a DIY, rough and ready approach? This is your wedding video, so you need to be confident about what you want and how important quality work is to you.
Exploring Your Options: From DIY to Semi-Pro
Okay, so if after considering all the factors you're leaning towards DIY, but you’re also open to maybe not fully DIY. Here are some options, ranked roughly from most DIY to closest to professional:
1. Smartphone Wedding Video: Budget-Friendly but Basic
If "pro-level" image quality isn't a priority, two iPhones can actually do the trick. You should consider renting or buying a phone gimbal for smoother shots. A must is purchasing a £20-£30 lav mic (a small microphone you clip on) for the groom during the ceremony and speeches, and anyone else making toasts. Plug the mic into a phone, and press audio record on your voice memos app. Make sure to test this out before the day. For some extra angles, consider renting a small 4K camera like an Osmo Pocket 2. A Moment 58mm lens adapter for an iPhone can also give a better quality, close-up look.
2. Renting Equipment: A Step-Up in Quality
Renting professional video equipment can significantly improve your video quality. For around £300-400, you can rent two cameras, lenses, tripods, basic audio equipment, and maybe even a light from places like fatllama.com. You'll still need someone to operate the cameras, though. A friend or family member might be willing to help, or you could pay someone for the day. This option should give you better quality video, however the operator's skill level will hugely impact the final result, so if you are asking a guest then it’s vital that they spend time practising with the equipment before the day.
3. Emerging Videographer: The Sweet Spot
A cheaper alternative to a professional videographer, is to find a film student or hobbyist who already has their own equipment and some experience. They might have invested £1,000-£2,000 in their gear, whereas professionals often have £5,000-£10,000 worth of professional quality equipment, plus years of specific experience. You might find you could hire someone at this level for closer to £400-£500. This gives you a slightly better chance at not missing important moments and getting better quality shots. However, they may charge more to also edit the footage for you as well, or they themselves may not have the experience to offer that.
The Professional Approach
If you’re interested in a professional wedding video, check out this blog post to read more about why you might want to seriously consider it.
A professionally produced wedding video is a priceless keepsake, it allows you to relive those precious emotions for the rest of your lives together, bringing you right back to that magical day. It's an investment, and it’s important to carefully consider what the most important investments are to make for your wedding. It’s a once in a lifetime moment that can rush by in an instant, it couldn’t be more important to remember it in beautiful detail.
Final Thoughts
Making your own wedding video is possible, but it requires careful planning, skill, and a lot of effort from both you and your guests. Consider all your options, ranging from using smartphones, to renting equipment, to hiring a professional videographer. Think about your priorities: is saving money the most important thing, or is a high-quality film of the most important day of your lives worth the investment? By carefully weighing up the pros and cons, you can hopefully make the best decision for your special day.