Telling Your Story

"Story" is a term you are likely going to be hearing a lot about in your search for a wedding cinematographer. It's true that it's a word that is flung around a lot these days, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the fundamentals of storytelling are one of the most critical aspects of a high-quality wedding film. If you've already booked with us, I hope it was because our films made you feel something that inspired you and got you excited about your wedding day.  We’re honored to start this 2021 season with 22 weddings booked and only 3 more bookings available!

It's true that our films look beautiful, our team is highly trained in cinematography, it was a major focus of my formal education (East Tennessee State University / Gardner Webb University) and I try to find assistant shooters that carry the same fundamental background. The truth is, that the images are just a small part of the equation, and the secret in my sauce is added while spending hours upon hours crafting your story in our studio. And there is one element that makes our best films what they are... Storytelling.

“We don’t just film weddings, we tell love stories.”

— Brent Ramsey

We find our stories through dialog. It might come from the dialog of the day (Toasts, officiant, unexpected natural sound). Very often our clients will want to write love letters and share them in the film (we have a special way to incorporate those). And sometimes our clients aren't huge sharers, and they just want us to capture the day and find the story as it comes to us, and that's okay too! We got this!

So, now is a good time to start thinking about what kind of couple you are, and how you will want your story to unravel in your film. Are you writing your own vows, or maybe you have the very first love note written by either of you?

As wedding videographers, it is a very fine line that we walk. One of the things we always consider when shooting your wedding day, is how our footprint will affect the romance. I am not one that pretends that we are going to be invisible while at your event. That's just simply impossible and these days no one should be surprised to see your videographer pulling off a cool shot during the reception. Still, we want to be unobtrusive to preserve the sanctity of your ceremony and romance or excitement of your wedding reception. 

We can still do that and go the extra mile to capture the story of you and how it correlates to your wedding. We like to capture special moments, like those love letters we mentioned earlier, but take them further. We can make these real moments seem just like they were scripted for the big screen, preserving them in a cinematic work of art that will amaze audiences 20 years from now. 

Hopefully as you consider who to hire as your next wedding cinematography team, you will see the differences, the extra mile that we travel while creating our films. To learn more about how we can make your wedding film memorable, contact us with your story!

To download our investment guide click here!

3 Reasons Why Every Bride and Groom Should Exchange Letters

Whether you’re doing a first look on your wedding day or waiting until you walk down the aisle, there is something so special about exchanging letters the morning before your ceremony. Let me tell you about three great reasons why it is such a wonderful idea to do a letter exchange with your future spouse!

1. It calms your nerves!

There is no doubt that you will have A LOT of emotions on wedding day. Excited, nervous, thrilled, anxious, and giddy are all NORMAL things to feel on the biggest day of your life! Reading a letter from your best friend really helps lessen the nerves, calms you down, and makes you so much more excited to see them in just the few short hours following that letter reading.

2. It makes for great video! If you have chosen to get a wedding film done, the letter reading really drives an amazing film. There is true and passionate emotion that comes from reading a love letter. It is wonderful to watch your wedding film back and hear exactly how that letter reading made you feel.

Check out this film!

3. An intimate moment before the chaos When doing your letter reading, it is always a nice idea to take a moment to read this letter alone, without everyone around you watching. It gives you a moment in the day to take a deep breath and get a gentle reminder of the reason you are there….to marry your best friend!

Letter exchanges are a beautiful thing. There is so much love and emotion packed into those words on a card. (Or old receipt, or menu from take-out, we don’t have to be fancy up here with an actual card) If you’ve been contemplating doing a letter exchange on the day of your wedding, we are ALL for it! You will thank us later!

We know planning a wedding can become overwhelming. We try and help our couples think of all the little details so we can tell their love stories perfectly. If you're interested in finding out more about our wedding film packages and learning more about how we can capture and preserve your beautiful love story for a lifetime, please fill out our contact form below and we'll be in touch soon!

All Wedding Videographers Are Not Created Equally

The reality is not all Wedding Videographers are equal–in talent, style or as you may be finding out budget.  But when you find the right one you just know it.  After filming weddings for 5 years now and producing projects for some of television networks biggest programs I’ve learned a thing or two and boy has the journey been awesome! Below I talk a little about why it’s so important to not skimp on booking a wedding videographer for your big day!

The business of wedding filmmakers has blown up in the last couple years… Why you might ask? Because your average Joe walks into Best Buy. Buys a Canon Rebel with a kit lens and says, “I’m a wedding filmmaker”. This hurts… It truly does. Not necessarily us, but it hurts the overall outcome of the brides expectations. It’s almost every month we have couples emailing us asking to re-edit their wedding video or “Hey, can you make this less shaky, more in focus or enhance the Audio.”. Rarely ever is the footage salvageable. Are you looking for a “home video” like your parents filmed on Christmas morning or are you wanting a love story that presents its self beautifully with all the emotions to go along with it.

Choosing your wedding videographer is one of the most important decisions you will make during the planning process.  Your wedding day will pass in an emotional whirlwind, and the content captured that day will be precious reminders of the loved ones who shared it with you.

Professional wedding videographers are not cheap.  It will be one of the largest expenditures in your wedding budget, but it is also one of the only enduring purchase you will make.  Keep these things in mind when choosing your wedding filmmaker:

1. Your wedding is not an experiment.  This is not the time to allow your cousin, best friend or newbie to develop their budding videography business or to choose a part-time videographer.  Select a seasoned professional who is a full-time videographer  The role of second shooter is good training for someone looking to build experience or a portfolio. Not some one to put your trust in as a sole shooter.

2. Ask to see a complete wedding from beginning to end. Don’t rely only on the favorites Instagram teasers presented by a videographer (Trust me on this one).  You want to see how the videographer captures the day from beginning to end and how they tell your story. Do they shoot from different angles… wide, tight, aerial (drone footage. Are they even licensed to fly a drone? Yes, you have to be licensed to fly a drone at a wedding. It’s a requirement by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Maybe they are Licensed, but does it cost extra?

3. Beach videography is not church videography. filming a beach wedding is a unique challenge due to lighting and weather conditions.  If a videographer seems fantastic but they primarily only film church weddings or indoor venues, you should consider a videographer who has extensive experience with beach weddings.  Again, you don’t want your wedding to be the test case.

Finally, you should ask if your videographer what their turnaround time for delivery is? You don’t want to wait 6 months to get your highlight back!  Do they offer and copyright releases, drone footage, music licensing, ceremony films, full dance edits?  Just remember, don’t skimp on the budget for videography.  Your memories are too important – there are other areas where you can cut costs in order to afford quality professional . You don’t get a do over of your special day.

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Checkout what this recent bride had to say about her experience

If you’re planning a wedding for the 2021 wedding season we still have a few select dates available and would love to chat with you about being apart of your big day! Checkout Blue Ridge Film Productions for more info!

Teaser Film - Should you get one?

Aloha and welcome to Fall 2020!

The leaves are starting to finally change here in Western North Carolina and the chill crisp air is calling for campfires, snores, hot apple cider and loads of beautiful wedding content!

Blogging is probably the hardest thing in the world for me to do. When you start your own business, no one tells you about all the extra stuff you end up doing. Accounting, website maintenance, social media campaigns, taxes, and blogging. We try to keep you up to date with important info about making the most of your wedding “wedding videographer related”. Today’s topic… Should you get a wedding teaser….

Que Answer below!

Should you get a wedding teaser film to share with family and friends after the wedding? Well heck yes you should! Essentially a teaser film is a shortened version of the most popular film the Highlight. The Highlight covers the whole day and combines all the best elements into an exciting 4-8 minute film. A Highlight film is the film you see on every videographers website and is the main film they provide. A Teaser film is usually 1 minute long to fit into the Instagram time slot. Personally I go with a slightly different feel when I’m editing teaser films. I want to show as much excitement as possible while “teasing” the audience, showing some of the best parts of the day. It should show enough to get everyone excited but not too much so I can save some surprises for the Highlight. The best part about teaser films, they get delivered within a week of the wedding! I usually head home from a wedding, backup all my footage (this takes about 2 hours) and then start editing the teaser. I put the finishing touches on the film the next day and send it off to my couples. Now they have an exciting film to share, within 48 - 72 hours!

How cool is that!

Here is a recent Teaser Film provided by Blue Ridge Film Productions to check out!

Is One Cinematographer Enough?

You may be looking at wedding cinematography packages and wondering, “What is the point of hiring two wedding cinematographers?” It’s the same reason you’re considering hiring two photographers—you’ll get more coverage out of it and there’s less of a chance that a moment will get missed. Here are the top five reasons you should hire two cinematographers for your wedding.

1. Morning Prep

The things that happen while you’re getting ready in the morning are surprisingly some of the best moments to look back on. While it may seem trivial to capture, there are a few key things that happen during this time that make for great memories to relive.

All of your very best friends are finally in one room together! How often does that happen!? You’re having a major primp session, almost like you’re going out to party together so there’s lots of funny girl talk going on.

The ladies of the family are usually hanging around too so it’s a great time to capture multiple generations together. When you look back, you’ll love to see how you share mannerisms, facial expressions and laughs.

With only one cinematographer at your wedding, you’ll either have to skip prep coverage due to time constraints, or forfeit prep for you or your fiancé since one person can only be in one place at one time.

2. Grand Exit

The grand exit has made its comeback into the wedding world and makes for a truly iconic moment. Whether it’s done with sparklers glittering up the dark evening or wish lanterns to get the whole wedding involved, it’s an incredibly happy moment for you, your spouse and all of your friends that deserves to be preserved in film.

Limited coverage time with one shooter may cause these moments to get missed.

3. Reaction Shots

What good is an emotional reading during a wedding ceremony if you don’t get to see the father of the bride wipe away a tear? This is just one of the many moments that happen in weddings when the benefit of having two cinematographers is clear.

With two cinematographers, you get to see the bride excited to show off her dress and the groom’s face when he sees her for the first time. You get to see the best man tell a silly story, the bride laugh while the groom hangs his head in embarrassment. You get to see the couple hold their hands up high as they are announced Mr. and Mrs. and see the crowd cheer in delight.

4. Details

If you’ve watched a few of our films, you’ve probably noticed that films with multiple shooters have more detail shots of rings, invitations, shoes, cufflinks, bowties and all of the other small details that you’re spending money on to personalize your wedding.

The reason is due to the amount of time the cinematographer has to capture these additional things but also because he must prioritize and choose to shoot the most important thing that is happening at any given moment. During the ceremony, the cinematographer can’t focus on anything else besides you and your soon-to-be spouse at the altar. He can’t be anywhere else in that moment and neither can the camera lens. There are lots of similar moments throughout the day when the lens must be on the couple.

5. Artistic Shots

Did you fall in love with our films because of the beautiful, movie-like movement of the camera as it glides around the bride and groom during a kiss? Those sweeping shots require extra equipment to make the movements steady. The steadiness, lens choice and years of practice are what make those moments look like a professional movie.

For a cinematographer to prep himself for shooting the perfect shot, he must have another cinematographer shooting so they don’t miss anything important while he sets up for photo session.

Our Deluxe Collection include two cinematographers. Our Classic and Premium allows the option to add on an additional cinematographer for an additional cost. If you have more questions about the benefits of two cinematographers, set up an appointment with one of our wedding consultants.

Drone Footage at Your Wedding

First off let me say we love drone footage. It provides a cinematic element to any film that brings it to the next level. However, we don’t live off drone footage. It has it’s place, but at Blue Ridge Film Productions we believe emotion is captured up close. With that bring said… Let talk drones!

Aerial drone coverage is becoming the latest, greatest craze sweeping the nation. There is no doubt that drones are capable of capturing spectacular panoramas that can’t be captured from the ground. This alone makes them a somewhat natural fit for weddings, when people are most likely to want one of the most special day of their lives showcased in a special and meaningful way. But it is important to understand that if not handled properly or done well, drone can actually mar your special day rather than enhance it, so here are five important things to keep in mind if you’re adding drone for your wedding.

Vet carefully

Many people have made the mistake of hiring a cut-rate wedding cinematographer – or not hiring one at all – to capture their wedding memories. The truth is, you spend thousands of dollars on this one event, so there are no do-overs. If you don’t get it right the first time, the moment is gone forever. Unlike regular cinematographers, however, drone photographers have to have two sets of skills. They have to be a knowledgeable and expert drone pilot as well as an expert cinematographers/photographer. They have to understand about lighting and perspective and how to get the best shots, or you may end up with a 20 minute video of the top of everyone’s head.

Outdoors is better

Keep in mind, a drone is a small helicopter. You probably wouldn’t want a giant helicopter crashing your wedding and a small one is not significantly better. While theoretically a drone can operate indoors given enough space and high enough ceilings, what you have to also take into account is the noise a drone creates. If you want to pause the ceremony to get one spectacular drone shot after the bride and groom are together at the altar or perhaps get just a shot of the bride and groom exiting after the nuptials are completed, then you can generally get it done without a huge interruption to the ceremony itself. Realistically, however, drone is best left outdoors to capture the spectacular beauty of your surroundings if you are getting married in a majestic locale.

Make sure you have all the proper licenses and permits and the operator is insured

Again, the key to remember here is that a drone is actually a small aircraft. Unlike a regular cinematographer and photographer that just has to take care of their own equipment, a drone has the potential to wander and even create damage. A drone can potentially get carried off by a gust of wind and smash into a guest’s car or even crash right into the assemblage of guests themselves. While it may be the drone operator’s responsibility to take out insurance, it is your responsibility to make sure they have it before hiring them. There is no doubt that drones can capture absolutely spectacular shots, but they can also potentially increase your liability. In addition to making sure the drone pilot/ photographer has all the proper insurance and releases they need, you also need to check with the venue itself to ensure you have clearance from them (hint: Blue Ridge Film Productions ensures that any drone operator it sends out for your wedding is FAA-licensed, and will double-check with the venue for restrictions!).

Drone photography and cinematography should be “in addition to” not “instead of”

No matter how spectacular or fun having drone footage may be, you don’t want it to replace a traditional cinematographer and photographer on the ground. Even a seasoned drone operator is only going to be able to get so close to your guests and only at specific times. Drones actually have a fairly short flight time as well, so it is important to maximize that time but make sure it’s not the only thing you take away from your wedding. 

Make the most of it

If you’re going to spend the additional money on drone, you want to make sure and take full advantage of it. In addition to getting beautiful shots of a breathtaking location, you can also get guests involved in the fun. You can have them line up to spell out words or even create a fun scene, such as running across an open field or having all the wedding guests line up to form a heart around the couple. Keep in mind, drone footage takes a much longer time to set up than regular ones, so make sure you allot the necessary time for any ideas you might have. Not only do you have to get all of the guests in place, but the operator needs to get their camera and equipment set up just right to get the perfect shot given certain lighting and weather conditions at the time.

Ready to explore your options of adding drone coverage to your wedding video footage? Schedule a call with Blue Ridge Film Productions today!

The Chosen One - Bridesmaid Edition

What's so special about a maid of honor? People may have a preconceived notion that a maid of honor can be a demanding and bossy bridesmaid, but the maid of honor typically holds several special duties in addition to some special benefits. The maid of honor is the bride's chief support during, before and after the wedding. Notice this said BEFORE and AFTER… Not just “during”.

What Does a Maid of Honor Really Do?

• The maid of honor helps the bride with wedding planning, making decisions and navigating family difficulties and other stresses.

• A maid of honor is responsible for being the head of the bridesmaids, keeping them organized (without being bossy).

• Typically, the maid of honor leads the bridesmaids in planning a bridal shower and often a bachelorette party.

• On the day of the wedding, a maid of honor helps the bride get dressed and stay calm. Being attentive at every request from the bride.

• Often, the maid of honor makes a toast or a speech at either the wedding or the rehearsal dinner.

• Couples getting legally married in the United States frequently ask the maid of honor to be one of the signers of the marriage license.

• Perhaps most importantly, the maid of honor is a good listener and has a strong shoulder for the bride to lean on.

Who Should Be Chosen?

Traditionally, a bride asks her sister or her closest female friend to be the maid of honor. In situations where this is not possible, the bride may choose someone she trusts to be the maid of honor, who will help her during the wedding planning process. In choosing your maid of honor, consider the amount of responsibility they will have and ensure they are able to meet these expectations. You may want to take a closer look at who will do the job best, keeping the family in mind and ultimately going with a pressure-free, gut instinct.

This Wedding Was One For The Books

Emilee + Wesley | September21, 2019
Camp Ton-A-Wandah near Asheville, North Carolina

There aren’t enough words to describe the love these to have for each other.
The love that Em and Wes have for each other radiates off of them and is so evident by the affection they have for one another. The wedding day was field with so much emotion. From the exchanging of gifts, the bride’s two brothers escorting Emilee down the aisle, to the final last dance there wasn’t one moment that wasn’t breath taking.

All weddings are unique and special. This one had me getting choked up time and time again. I think it’s so important that when you’re in the market for a wedding professional no whether it be a photographer, videographer, Disk Jockey, or the cake baker. Find someone who is so engraved and passionate about what they do. Find someone who connects with you and makes you laugh. Find someone who goes above and beyond to make your special day what you’ve always dreamed of. Find someone that will cry and laugh with you. That is when you truly know you made the right decision.

It was truly an honor to document Em & Wes’s wedding day at beautiful Camp Ton-A-Wandah near Asheville, NC. A beautiful team of vendors transformed the space into what is usually a girls summer camp to one of the most enchanting scene for their union. We danced the night away and this night lives on as one of the best weddings we at Blue Ridge Film Productions have had the honor to capture!.

5 Ways of Tell Your Guests To Ditch Their Phones

While cell phone photos admittedly have come a long way over the past few years, they have no business capturing the main event at your wedding! Your guests will probably want to capture their own footage during your wedding ceremony (who can blame them, you’re gorgeous!) And although they mean well, the cell phones (or digital cameras, or even iPads…) they use while trying to get the perfect amateur shot can get in the way of the professionals you hired to capture beautiful photos and videos of your special day. The last thing you want is a guest blocking the stunning frame of your first kiss from the people you paid to do it! This can be awkward, but don’t worry, there are nice ways to tell your family to put their phones down and leave it to the professionals.

Signs

Putting signs at the entry points is a quick and easy reminder for guests to put their phones down as they walk in. You could also include something on your wedding website or in any announcements you sent out prior to the wedding.

Announcements

You can have the officiant remind everyone to keep their phones put away during the ceremony before she/he begins. You can also have the DJ or MC mention it as they are telling guests to find a seat for the ceremony.

Programs

If you are handing out programs for guests then you can include a note about putting cell phones away during the ceremony because the professionals have got it covered.

Seats & Benches

If your guests didn’t read the signs at the front or forgot what they said by the time they find their seats this would be a great reminder. Leave a note on each of the seats (or spaced out on a bench) so they have to pick it up before sitting down. You could even attach it to a favor bag or find a sassy pun to convey the message. Guests will think it’s fun and remember to keep their phones hidden away.

Aisle Phone Bowls

For those guests that just can’t control themselves, you could incorporate a jar, bowl or container into the decor at the end of each aisle for people to place their phones in. As long as the container isn’t clear, it could fit right into the ceremony decor and you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s a bowl full of cell phones for those naughty guests.

To be honest, it might not be a bad idea to do all 5 of these! We have heard (and unfortunately seen) some real well-intentioned horror stories. Ready to hire a professional to capture your wedding day on film? We have filmers in your area (not a cell phone in sight!)

We hope you found this blog helpful. If you have any questions that you feel we could assist you with or have questions about availability, packages and rates please contact us by selecting the tab below!

Booking The Perfect Wedding Filmmaker!

It’s booking season here in Western North Carolina and couple’s are on the hunt for the perfect wedding Filmmaker! It can be a lot to take in at first, there’s so many styles and so many things to consider. But fear not! This post will help guide you to finding the wedding filmmaker of your dreams (us, duh!).

MAKE SURE YOUR STYLES MATCH

This is *almost* thee most important thing on this list! When you reach out to a wedding cinematographer, make sure you’re in love with their style, because you’ll get exactly that in your wedding film. It’s always better to pay a little bit more to get a better product, than to pay less and get something you don’t absolutely love.

MAKE SURE YOUR PERSONALITIES MATCH

We all have that one person from work no one likes right? Well imagine having that person with you all day on most important day of your life! It’s always best to book someone with a great personality. Your day will go by sooooo much better.

 LOOK AT THEIR STYLE OF EDITING

Most cinematographers have a unique editing style. Some cinematographers edit the whole day in linear order, while others take some liberties and edit out of order. Both can be beautifully done. I edit more on the linear order side, as it allows me to build up your day from beginning to end!

 LISTEN TO THE AUDIO THEY USE

Audio of vows, speeches, first looks, and card readings is so so so important to crafting a story in your wedding film. Make sure your cinematographer uses the type of audio you like, otherwise you may end up with a wedding music video, and not a wedding film with emotion!

ASK IF THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT 

Ask your cinematographer if they have the necessary equipment to capture what you’re wanting. Lots of cinematographers are at various points in their career, price can vary greatly between cinematographers because of this. You can expect Blue Ridge Film Productions will provide at upwards to $15,000 of equipment per wedding. (We defiantly have done our research when it comes to providing our Bride & Groom top notch quality.)

ASK ABOUT THEIR FILMING PROCESS

Everyone knows planning a wedding is quite a process! You put lots of planning into your special day, and your cinematographer should put some planning in too. Always touch base with your cinematographer at least a month before the big day and make sure filming times and locations are known to the both of you. It’ll make the day go so much smoother! You can do this a number of ways… Meeting up for coffee, Facetime or a telephone call.

DO THEY USE LIGHTING?

Lighting is such an important thing when it comes to any kind of film making. Many venues here in Edmonton get darker as the reception goes on, and by speeches time, it can be quite dark. A good wedding cinematographer will have lights that not only make everything visible, but also set a little bit of mood and atmosphere! Blue Ridge Film Productions comes equipped plenty of LED lighting to make sure your venue and ceremonial location is well lit.

BE WEARY IF THEY DON’T WANT TO MEET IN PERSON OR TALK ON THE PHONE

I’ve heard a few horror stories from brides about cinematographers who go missing a month before the big day. One thing that they almost all have in common is they always communicated with them over email, and never in person or over the phone. Always meet in person or talk on the phone. You’ll have a much lower chance of being swindled! Also check for referrals and testimonials from previous brides to hear about their experience.

DON’T GHOST THEM

Always be open with your cinematographer! Even if you ask about pricing and don’t want to book with them in the end, just let them know!

Got questions for Blue Ridge Film Productions?

First Look or First Moment

DO OR DONT????

Due to the fact that I create cinematic wedding films, I love the concept of a first look. However, I do understand a couple not wanting to see each other before the wedding ceremony; this is why a First Touch is an exceptional alternative.

Both First Looks and a First Touch create a romantic drama in a featured film. Its a very intense moment that you defiantly want captured on film and I highly suggest one of the two.

What Is A First Look?

According to The Wedding Central a first look is described as … A moment staged and set up by a wedding [filmmaker]/photographer for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. Normally, bride and groom would agree with your wedding photographer on site away from family and friends to give them privacy and to make that moment just for them. Ok, not really away, but a few feet away. The groom would be looking away -at the wedding [filmmaker]/photographer – while the bride starts walking down towards him. She will tap his shoulder, and he will turn around and see his beautiful bride for the first time.

After they have had a moment to themselves, we head to take some bride and groom /portraits, then of course we take /pictures with the family and the bridal party. We tuck away the bride before guests arrive. That pretty much sets you free to relax and enjoy your wedding.

What Is A First Touch?

A first touch is also a moment staged by the filmmaker/photographer. The location of the First Touch will normally be a corner of a building or the couple will be separated by a door. The couple will have a few choice words together and this occasion will ultimately be the last professional picture that the couple has together as single entities.

For more info please feel free to visit our “Contact Page”. We would love to talk more about your big day with you!

Happy Wedding Planning,

-BRfilms