Behind the Lens: What Happens After "I Do"

Imagine the euphoria of stepping out of your wedding ceremony, filled with joy, love, and excitement. It's the kind of happiness that makes me think of those adorable YouTube videos of baby goats prancing around in a meadow—does it get better than that? I don’t think so. That’s the vibe we’re after. As you and your partner walk away from the ceremony, our team and the photographer are in full-on chase mode, ready to capture all the magic unfolding before us.

We’re headed to your designated photo/video location (which might be the reception hall or some scenic corner of your venue) to grab those stunning moments that will make your wedding video unforgettable. So, let's dive into what we, as your videographer team from Blue Ridge Film Productions, am doing during this special time.

Tip #1: Let's Keep It Simple—Know Where We're Going

The first step to getting those amazing shots? Knowing exactly where we’re headed. If you or your photographer have picked out the photo spots, please share that info with me ahead of time. This helps keep things smooth and stress-free. The last thing I want is to be scrambling to find the right location while your wedding party is doing the same. So, if the directions are clear and we’re all in the right place at the right time, we can get to work on capturing your beautiful moments.

Once we’re at the spot, the fun really begins! When your photographer and I are aligned, we can create something incredible together. And that’s the goal—perfectly coordinated footage and photos that reflect your love story.

Maximizing Every Moment with Minimal Effort

Here’s one of my little secrets: I love maximizing every minute of your time. When you’re heading to your photo location, I’ll often ask you to just hold hands, talk, and walk at a relaxed pace. This might sound simple, but it’s a great way to capture beautiful slow-motion footage from different angles. You’re already walking to the next spot anyway, so why not make it count? It’s efficient and it looks amazing in your wedding video highlight reel.

Letting the Photographer Shine (and Keeping It Real on Camera)

One thing we always make sure of is giving your photographer space to do their thing. They’ll have their set of poses to walk you through, and while we grab some footage of this, I prefer to keep posed shots to a minimum in the video. Why? Because, let’s face it, standing rigidly or holding a kiss for too long doesn’t always translate well on camera. It can look a bit… well, stiff.

So, how do we get around this? By focusing on natural, cinematic moments that feel real and full of emotion. Instead of telling you exactly where to put your hands or how to lean in for a kiss, we might give you a direction like: “Wrap your arms around each other and just enjoy the moment.” It may seem a little vague at first, but that’s the point! You fill in the blanks, making it a more organic and authentic connection.

Sometimes, I get a little more adventurous with directions like, “Whisper something sweet in their ear,” or, “Protect her.” And yes, I’ll occasionally throw in something like, “Make out!” on a whim. I get it—seeing that written down can make you cringe, but trust me, when you trust me and go with it, those moments will look magical on film.

For the Adventurous Couples: Let’s Have Some Fun!

Some couples are up for more energetic directions. Maybe you’re ready to do a spin, a dip, or even an impromptu lift! These fun, playful moments can add so much energy to the final video. But we get it—some couples may prefer to keep it low-key, and that’s perfectly fine! At Blue Ridge Film Productions, every wedding is unique, and our job is to tailor the experience to you. Whether you’re a couple that loves to play up the romance or prefers something more relaxed, we’ll make sure your film reflects your personality and energy.

So, that’s the rundown of what happens during "picture time." It’s all about finding the perfect balance between capturing natural moments and respecting the photographer’s space. But at the end of the day, it’s about creating your story—the story of your day, your love, and your forever.

Stay tuned for the final part of this series, where we’ll dive into the reception and all the fun that happens once the dancing begins!

Until next time, keep the love alive, and let us at Blue Ridge Film Productions turn your wedding day into a cinematic masterpiece.