The Big Moment: Let’s Talk Ceremony Magic

As Ron Burgundy would say, this part of the day is “kind of a big deal.” In fact, it’s the big deal—the moment you and your partner are about to say "I do!" There's a whole lot of anticipation and excitement leading up to this, and trust me, it’s not just the vows that make it special. It’s your wedding day, and you deserve to enjoy it without worrying about a thing—especially the wedding videography. That’s where I come in.

At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we believe that the focus during your ceremony should be 100% on you, your partner, and the big moment you're about to share. And when we do our job right, we’ll be invisible to you—our cameras rolling and capturing the magic in ways that you’ll only notice when you watch your wedding film later. Sounds like a plan, right? Let's dive in.

The Ceremony Set-Up: Where Magic Meets Strategy

I’ve already chatted about the perks of having two shooters in my post, "Do You Really Need Two Wedding Videographers?"—but when it comes to your ceremony, here’s how we take things to the next level.

With two shooters on the job, we’re able to capture angles and moments that would be impossible with just one person behind the camera. This means we can upgrade from a traditional 2-camera setup to a 3-camera shoot for your ceremony, giving you a variety of shots that are going to make your wedding video stand out. We offer options to upgrade your package to an additional shooter or if you choose to the Deluxe package your day will include 2 videographers for 8 hours!

Here’s how it works:

• One shooter will be positioned up front, capturing the groom’s reaction and the beautiful moments with the wedding party.

• Meanwhile, I’ll be walking partway down the aisle with my gimbal, giving you an amazing, almost point-of-view shot of the aisle walk—perfect for showing the emotions and excitement as you make your way to your partner.

And the best part? After the ceremony, I’ll track the bride and groom as you exit down the aisle. It's a once-in-a-lifetime shot that captures all that raw emotion—joy, relief, and a whole lot of love—right after you're officially married.

Blue Ridge Film Productions is all about making sure your wedding video feels as authentic and cinematic as possible. With two shooters capturing different angles, we create a ceremony video that’s diverse, dynamic, and absolutely unforgettable.

The Post-Ceremony Picture Time: A Perfect Pairing of Photographer & Videographer

After the vows and "I dos," it’s time for the pictures with your photographer—and that’s another chance to shine on camera! In our next segment, we’ll talk about how we work hand-in-hand with your photographer to make sure your photos and video capture all the best moments. We’ll share some tips to help you feel as natural as possible, so you can relax and have fun while we capture the footage that will tell your love story for years to come.

New is 2025 is our video + photo packages! We have teamed up with the talented Sarah Siak Photography! Combined we bring 23 years to the industry. Checkout our packages by clicking here!

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more wedding video tips and behind-the-scenes magic from Blue Ridge Film Productions.

Until next time—Adios!

The Big Day Begins: What to Expect During Bride & Groom Prep ! - Part 2

Can you feel it? That moment when you wake up and realize—today’s the day. You’re getting married! The excitement, the nervous jitters, and that overwhelming sense of “Is this really happening?!” It’s a feeling words can hardly capture. But while you’re going through the emotional rollercoaster of your big day, what’s happening on my end? Well, right now, I’m probably stuck in a Chick-fil-a drive-thru, trying to snag a chicken, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich while wondering why an entire fleet of cars is suddenly craving breakfast at 7:30 AM on a Saturday. (Spoiler alert: I’m in the same line!) After that, it’s off to the bride or groom’s place to capture those essential moments for your wedding video.

At Blue Ridge Film Productions, our goal is simple: we want to get all the right shots while staying out of your way. That means capturing every key moment without interrupting the chaos of makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers, the wedding party, and family members. I can barely catch my breath just writing that out! So, let’s dive into what bride and groom prep looks like from our perspective:

Lighting: The Secret to Stunning Footage

The first thing I’ll focus on is finding the best light in the room. If the bride or groom is getting ready in a room with harsh fluorescent lighting, I’ll work my magic to find a better light source. This might mean asking you to step closer to a window or turning off overhead lights in favor of natural light. Why? Because natural light is king. It’s easier to work with in post-production, and it gives your video a soft, cinematic glow that makes all the difference.

Staying Out of Your Way: Our #1 Priority

We’ve got one mission when we come to film your prep: Get the shots, and get out. In an ideal world, We’d pop in, say hi, capture the moments we need, and then vanish so you can enjoy the day without feeling like you're constantly being filmed. It’s all about being unobtrusive and giving you space to focus on what matters most: getting ready to marry the love of your life.

Letter Readings: Timing is Everything

If you’re planning on reading letters to each other, we’ll make sure it happens at the perfect moment. For the groom, we usually suggest reading the letter after he’s dressed. For the bride, my preference is after the hair and makeup are done—because you’ll want to look your best for the video. But here’s the catch: If the letter is super emotional and the tears start flowing, there might be some makeup touch-ups needed. It’s a fine balance, and we’ll leave the timing up to you.

Groom Prep: Quick, but Detailed

Let’s talk about the groom. For him, the prep is generally quicker but still packed with important shots. For example, let’s call this groom “Maurice” (he’s got style, trust me). When we arrive, we’ll make sure Maurice is dressed and ready to go before we start filming. will capture the small moments—like tying the tie, putting on cufflinks, and getting into his suit jacket—asking him to repeat certain actions so We can grab a few different angles. Then, we will get some candid shots of Maurice hanging out with the groomsmen, and voilà, we’re done!

Bride Prep: Capturing Her Beauty in the Moment

Now for the bride—this is where we spend a little more time. We will capture your look as it evolves throughout the morning, but We are not here to direct you. We want to document the process as naturally as possible. Here’s how it goes:

• Before Makeup: We will get some elegant shots of your dress.

• During Makeup: As your transformation begins, we will capture close-ups of the process and any candid moments with your bridesmaids.

• Getting Dressed: As you slip into your gown, we will be right there, capturing every detail. From the final zip-up to the full “wow” moment in the mirror, we will make sure we get everything.

We will keep things easy and natural—no posing required. We are just here to capture the beauty of the moment as you get ready for your big day.

The Final Word on Prep Time

So, what can you expect during bride and groom prep? We work a bit more with the bride to get the shots I need, but overall, my approach is to be a fly on the wall. We’re here to capture the moments without taking up too much of your time, so you can focus on what matters most: marrying the love of your life.

After we wrap up your prep footage, We will head out to the ceremony location to capture the next chapter of your love story. Stay tuned for the next post where we’ll dive into the ceremony details! Keep reading, and get ready for more behind-the-scenes insights from Blue Ridge Film Productions!

Behind the Scenes: Wedding Day Videography – Part 1

Hiring a wedding videographer can be a bit of a mystery. You might’ve heard the horror stories — like the one where the videographer trips the bride, sends her dress flying, and causes her to accidentally kick the ring bearer in the neck on her way down the aisle. Cue the dramatic escape to Belize, a new identity, and a life as "Francesca Flowers" to avoid the humiliation forever. (Okay, okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but hey, it’s fun to imagine!)

In reality, while this level of chaos is rare (I’ve yet to witness it at any wedding I’ve filmed in the past 9 years), I totally get the anxiety couples often feel though. The big question many have is: “What’s the videographer actually going to be doing on our wedding day?” Will we feel awkward? Will they be in the way? Will we even notice them at all?

It’s a totally understandable concern, and one that I’m here to put to rest. Over the next four blogs, I’ll walk you through my process here at Blue Ridge Film Productions for every key moment of the day, so you know exactly what to expect—and more importantly, how to feel relaxed and confident about it.

I’ll cover:

• Bride/Groom prep (getting ready)

• The ceremony

• Couple portraits/post-ceremony time

• The reception

Because the best weddings are all about teamwork, I’ll also share a few tips on how to make the day flow smoothly with your videographer—minimizing stress and maximizing the fun! Stay tuned for the inside scoop!

Brent Ramsey
Owner of Blue Ridge Film Productions

Why Book A Wedding Videographer?

1. Wedding Videography Brings It All to Life

A wedding video is more than just a collection of moments—it’s a living, breathing memory. While wedding photos capture still images, a wedding video lets you relive every laugh, tear, and glance. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we specialize in creating immersive cinematic experiences that bring your wedding day back to life, in a way photos simply can’t.

2. It's OK to Be Camera Shy

We get it—being in front of the camera isn’t for everyone! That’s why our team at Blue Ridge Film Productions uses the latest in minimalist camera gear to be as unobtrusive as possible. We capture your day candidly and authentically, so you can feel relaxed and enjoy your special moments without posing or direction.

3. Everyone Has an iPhone, Right?

Sure, your guests may snap a few videos with their phones, but there’s no comparison to the high-quality footage that a professional wedding videographer provides. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we use top-tier equipment to capture every stunning shot in vivid detail, ensuring your wedding video is as polished and captivating as it deserves to be.

4. Videographer vs Photographer: Why You Need Both

While wedding photographers are often the first to be booked, a talented wedding videographer like Blue Ridge Film Productions adds an entirely new layer to your wedding day. Our team works seamlessly with photographers to ensure both styles complement each other. In 2025, we’ve partnered with the incredible Sarah Siak Photography to offer a bundle package that delivers award-winning wedding photography and videography, all while saving you money!

5. Tell Your Story Through Film

A wedding video isn’t just a recap of your day—it’s a movie. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we craft your wedding film with cinematic techniques like sound design, music, and storytelling elements. Our goal is to create a wedding video that feels like a beautifully made movie, capturing every intimate moment and emotion. We’ve said from the very beginning in 2016… “We don’t film weddings, we capture love stories”.

6. “I Do”, But on Camera

From the moment the groom sees his bride for the first time to the exchange of vows and that unforgettable first kiss—these are moments you’ll want to relive forever! With Blue Ridge Film Productions, we capture your ceremony in its entirety, so you can experience it all over again, from the moment you say “I do” to the last guest dancing at your reception.

7. Relive Your Speeches

Your wedding speech is an emotional moment you’ve likely poured your heart into. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we make sure your speech is captured with high-quality audio and video so you can relive it for years to come—without worrying about missing a word or feeling nervous in the moment.

8. Relive Your Day Like Never Before

The wedding day can fly by in a whirlwind, and before you know it, it’s over. With a wedding video from Blue Ridge Film Productions, you’ll get to relive the magic from start to finish. From the bridal prep and heartfelt moments with family, to the laughter and joy of the reception, we capture it all—so you never forget a single detail!

9. Capture Your Stunning Venue

Whether you're marrying at one of Western North Carolina’s stunning venues or saying your vows in a breathtaking destination like Greece, Blue Ridge Film Productions will capture your venue’s beauty from every angle. With aerial drone footage, we’ll give you a stunning bird’s-eye view of your venue, creating breathtaking visuals that you’ll cherish forever. We zone in and capture the heart felt tears of your groom, the fumbling of hands as your father eagerly awaits the first look of his beautiful daughter. All the unforgettable moments captured so you will never forget!

10. Remember the Ones You Love

Your wedding day is about more than just the couple—it’s about the love that surrounds you. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we focus on capturing the people who make your day special: your family, your friends, the moments that make your heart swell. These are the memories you’ll want to treasure forever.

We’d love to chat about being a part of your special day!

Click here and let’s start the planning today!

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.

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 Reasons Why You’ll Regret Not Hiring A Cinematographer For Your Wedding

If you ask couples about their biggest wedding regret, an alarming number say “not hiring a videographer.” For some reason, capturing your day on film doesn’t come as a priority for a lot of brides and grooms. But after all of your guests have gone home, and your delicious wedding cake goes stale, you will crave the ability to watch and relive the happiest day of your life over and over again. We’re diving deeper into the “why” of hiring a professional cinematographer for your wedding, starting with these 5 (big) reasons.

Video captures what pictures can’t

Wedding photos are an absolute necessity and something that you’ll treasure for years to come. That being said, a wedding film adds an extra dimension to your memories. Imagine watching your groom’s reaction during your first look, or your dad’s single tear during your first dance, or the way your Maid of Honor’s voice cracked when she recalled watching you fall in love. With today’s technology and editing expertise, not only can you watch these moments again, you get to experience them with cinematic quality when you hire an experienced cinematographer. Our sole purpose here at Blue Ridge Film Productions is to provide you with a heart warming cinematic story of your big day… Something that literally makes you tear up each and every time you watch it. .

You get to experience moments you missed on your actual wedding day

You’ve definitely heard it before, but your wedding goes by in a flash! You will be torn a million different ways, and there’s just no way it’s possible for you to witness every incredible moment. A wedding film will allow you to see your groom getting ready, your guests’ reactions as you walk down the aisle, your wedding party dancing the night away. Being able to watch your wedding day in full, from start to finish, will give you a complete vision of everything you worked so hard to create!

You are at your most vulnerable on your wedding day

There are very few times in your life where you will wear your heart on your sleeve as much as on your wedding day. Through tears and laughter, hugs and kisses, rewatching those moments when you are most vulnerable will remind you of why you decided to get married in the first place (and give you ALL the warm and fuzzy feels!)

It preserves more than just your wedding

Your wedding is one of the few times in your life when all of the people you and your partner hold dear are gathered together. Of course, you want to capture your wedding, but you’ll find that you cherish the footage of your loved ones just as much! From grandma holding onto a teddy bear made from grandpa’s shirt as she is strolled into the ceremony, to your mom tying your dress up just moments before you say, “I do”. These are moments that you’ll cherish forever.

Lastly Follow the Statistics

Huffpost research claims 98% of brides that budgeted for photo, but not video regretted it. With a 75% increase from 2015, brides now budget for professional cinematography. We at Blue Ridge Film Productions understand wedding expenses accumulate quickly. Offering affordable cinematography makes us happy! The estimated bride in 2019 spends $3,000+ for a luxury film cinematographer. Blue Ridge Film Productions has packages starting at $2,000… Blue Ridge Film Productions does not take our profession lightly. Bringing in close to $15,000 of equipment per wedding, gives you the piece of mind that your wedding is getting captured on some of today’s best equipment on the market.

So You're Thinking of Hiring A Wedding Cinematographer?

Wedding Video’s may not be a new thing, but we are loving the trend of more and more couples adding talented filmmakers to their wedding vendor team. Wedding cinematography is an investment, one that we think at Blue Ridge Film Productions is worth it if you have the budget. After all is said and done, your wedding photos and film are what you have to remember your day by! Whether you’re interested in hiring a filmmaker for your wedding or hadn’t considered it yet, we wanted to give you a starting place of what to expect as you begin to browse portfolios and take meetings with potential suppliers.

Why Hire A Wedding Cinematographer?

When it comes to looking back on your wedding, having a film brings the day back to life just by pushing play. Having video to accompany your photos can give you a more full experience to look back on, but it can also be amazing to have this piece of art — starring you!

I myself have been planning my own wedding with my beautiful Fiancee. We are so in love with the idea of being able to share this special day to our children and even grand children for years to come. We are completely in love with wedding videography and it became a top priority for our big day.

Hiring a wedding cinematographer was an important process for me and my fiancee because we want to be able to re-experience our wedding in motion. There are so many moments that occur in between photos being taken, and that extra experience adds to the authenticity and depth of a memory. A video of my wedding day will allow me to revisit my vow readings and remember all of the jokes my older sister cracked in her speech and actually see the tears fall from my face and hopefully my brides! (Hint… hope you’re reading this babe!)

Equally as important was our selection of the wedding cinematographers style we wanted. My fiancee and I have somewhat-unconventional styles, so we knew a traditional wedding video wasn’t quite the right fit for us. After going through plenty of wedding videos, we decided that a modern cinematic style was perfect for us. We absolutely love the trendy dark and moody style that’s big right now! We were happy to find a filmmaker that “got” our styles, and we trusted enough that we wouldn’t have to worry about the finished product.”

Packages

Like with any other wedding vendor, cinematographers offer a variety of packages to help you receive exactly the services you’re looking for. Packages can be great because you can choose the services that both align with your expectations and your budget. The most common misconception about film-making is that you will receive full-length footage of everything that happened on your wedding day. While some cinematographers offer this as a package option, most likely your final product will be a stylized and edited masterpiece to remember the best parts of your day by.

Here are some of the most popular package options you’re likely to see when hiring a filmmaker:

Trailer/Teaser Film (60-90 seconds) – Have you ever watched a movie trailer? This is the same concept, but for the movie of your wedding! Often accompanied later by a short film, this trailer or teaser film is created by your filmmaker while they continue to edit and craft the final product. Some filmmakers include a teaser video as a part of their package, while others offer it as an add-on.

Highlight Film (3-8 minutes) – With many filmmakers, the highlight film is the final product you will receive. More commonly, this film is non-linear and takes a more modern approach, where the filmmaker has truly created a piece of cinematic art out of the events and moments throughout your day.

Short Film (10-20 min) – If you decide on a package with a short film, you will receive an edited version of your wedding footage that takes a more linear form, often including a portion of your vows, reception toasts, etc. Depending on how long you book your wedding cinematographer, the film may also include getting ready footage, first look footage, and grand exit.

Add-ons –  Most filmmakers offer options to receive additional footage from your day. A few popular add-ons include:

• Full ceremony film/reception– Edited footage of your wedding ceremony or of toasts/speeches during your reception. Blue Ridge Film Productions provides this free is selected packages.

• Raw footage – Unedited footage from your wedding day Raw footage can be purchased from Blue Ridge Film Productions for an additional $300.

• Rehearsal dinner coverage - For an additional $750 Blue Ridge Film Productions can capture your rehearsal dinner!

• Trailer film (mentioned above, as an add-on)

• Love story – Similar to an engagement session, this footage is filmed before your wedding day, usually in plain clothes, which may include an interview with you as a couple as well as a lifestyle shoot

Styles

While each filmmaker puts their own artistic touch on their work, there are a few styles by which most filmmakers can be categorized. These are the most common styles to look for in your search:

Cinematic – Cinematic is the most popular style of wedding film you will find in your search. These films are most like a real movie, edited and stylized as a piece of art. There are two main styles within cinematic videography:

• Modern Abstract – Modern abstract style is characterized by a non-linear approach. These films are created to make the viewer feel something, both in the way the footage is arranged and the music used. This is what we at Blue Ridge Film Productions specialize in. The footage used in a modern abstract film is more likely to include atmospheric footage, or B-roll, which helps to capture the mood of the day.

• classic – While modern abstract films are almost entirely non-linear, classic cinematic films may provide a stylistic edit of events from the day in between bits of B-roll.

Other Things To Consider

Budget – If a video is a priority on your wedding day, it’s a good idea to incorporate that into your wedding budget as early on as possible. The price of having both a photographer and cinematographer isn’t cheap. Depending on what your budget situation is, you may have to make cuts in other areas of your day to afford having it captured the way you want. For a good filmmaker, we recommend budgeting as much (if not more) for their services as you would for your photographer. In essences you get what you pay for. We typically bring upwards to $15,000 in equipment to your big day. You can rest assured that your wedding film is getting captured by the leading brands in the film-making industry today.

Coverage – How many hours of coverage you want is also an important budget consideration. How important is it to you that the filmmaker films you getting ready or your grand exit? Having less hours of coverage and focusing on the most important parts of your day can be a good way to keep your budget down and still book the filmmaker of your dreams. We have packages that start with 3 hours for elopements and extend upwards to 10 hours for our deluxe package. (Package info can be found at www.brfilmproductions.com)

Delivery – Another thing to consider when choosing a Filmmaker is how the film and footage will be delivered. Different filmmakers have their own system, but you may want to keep these delivery methods in mind when choosing which vendor is right for you.

• USB Stick - is the most common and is formatted in higher quality than CD-rom.

• External Hardrive - all our raw footage captured by Blue Ridge Film Productions is presented on an external hard drive.

• Online File Drop - Be sure to check in your contract how long online viewing will be available. Some filmmakers only offer one year of online video hosting, while some will host it indefinitely. This is a great question to ask in your interviews, as well as what options they have if the video will be eventually taken down.

• CD-rom

In addition to receiving your film or footage to use, your cinematographer may make your video available for viewing online. Typically, filmmakers host their films on sites like, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and their personal business web-page.

Just started looking at vendors for the first time?

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