Capturing the Magic of Your Reception
And now, here we are—the final part of your wedding day! After the whirlwind of excitement and emotions, it’s time for you to relax and truly savor the rest of your celebration. This part of the evening will likely include a delicious dinner, followed by heartfelt (and sometimes funny) speeches from loved ones. Maybe there will be a few awkward moments, like when someone grabs a napkin instead of a proper speech, or when those inside jokes fly over everyone’s heads—but that’s part of the charm. And, of course, the icing on the cake: the dancing. The first dance, the father-daughter dance, and all the party vibes that follow—it’s all part of the celebration of your new life together.
For the final installment in this series, Will walk you through how we, as your dedicated videographers from Blue Ridge Film Productions, capture every moment of your reception—from the speeches to the last dance. Let’s dive in!
Speeches: Let’s Get the Best Angle on Those Heartfelt Moments
When it comes to the speeches, our approach is simple yet thorough. We will have two or three cameras running to capture everything. Typically, one or two stationary cameras will be aimed at the podium, while I’ll be on the move with a roaming camera, getting reaction shots from you, your family, or your wedding party. Will also make sure to grab various angles of the speaker to add some dynamism to the edit.
If we’re lucky enough to have a second shooter with us, this is where we really shine. One camera will stay focused on the speaker while the second shooter captures reaction shots from the crowd. This gives us plenty of high-quality footage to create a dynamic, multi-camera edit that makes those speeches look as stunning as the words being said.
Slow Dances: Sweeping Cinematic Shots with a Personal Touch
When it’s time for those special dances—the first dance, the father-daughter dance, and any others—we always aim to capture the most intimate, emotional moments. We will split our time between sweeping cinematic shots with a wide-angle lens on a gimbal camera stabilizer and getting those up-close, personal shots with a tight lens.
If We’re focusing on the emotion of the moment, I’ll get in close to capture every detail of your faces, your movements, and the joy in the air. If we’re going for a more cinematic feel, we will use the wide-angle shots, often with subtle camera movement, to create a stunning visual narrative.
The beauty of having a second shooter is that it allows someone to stay with the wide-angle shots while a second shooter focuses on tighter shots. This way, we get the best of both worlds, and no precious moment is missed. But here’s the key: we respect your space. For 90% of the dance, we keep our distance to let you and your partner enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime moment without feeling like a videographer is breathing down your neck. We may do a slow circle around the couple or get a little closer here and there, but we make sure the focus is on you, not us.
Party Dancing: Getting in on the Fun!
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for—the party dancing! When everyone’s a little looser, a little more relaxed, and ready to celebrate your new life as a married couple, the energy is electric. Expect some seriously entertaining moments, like Uncle Jerry busting out his most questionable dance moves (but let’s be real, they’re probably the best kind of embarrassing).
And guess what? You might just find me out on the floor, camera in hand, getting in on the action. To get the best dancing footage, I believe it’s important to be right there in the middle of it all. There’s a certain disconnect when you film from the sidelines—it just doesn’t capture the energy and excitement of the moment. That’s why we will either go out onto the floor ourself or have a second shooter join in, with both wide and tight lenses, to capture every bit of the fun. We’ll get you right in the thick of it, so you feel like you're experiencing it all over again when you watch the film.
Send-Off: A Beautiful Farewell (and the Perfect Ending to Your Wedding Film)
If there’s a send-off at the end of your night, we’ll be there to capture it. Whether it's sparklers, a vintage car, or a heartfelt goodbye, this moment can make for a stunning conclusion to your wedding video. It’s the final flourish that encapsulates the joy and excitement of the entire day.
That’s my process for capturing your reception at Blue Ridge Film Productions. I hope this behind-the-scenes look helps you feel even more excited about how we’ll preserve your special day. Of course, if you have any questions or need more details about how we capture these moments, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to ensure your wedding film is everything you’ve dreamed of—and more.
Thank you so much for following along in this series! I can’t wait to bring your wedding memories to life on film.
Ready to chat about your special day? CLICK HERE