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

Preparing for Your Wedding Day with Blue Ridge Film Productions

At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we believe that the secret to creating unforgettable wedding films starts long before the big day—it's all about preparation. If you're feeling nervous about the unknowns of wedding videography (let’s face it, who isn’t?), don’t worry! I’ve got your back with some expert tips to make sure your wedding video turns out as amazing as your love story.

1. Communicate with Your Wedding Videographer

First things first—communication is everything! It’s not just about us capturing beautiful footage; it’s about making sure we’re aligned with your vision. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we want to know your story, your style, and what matters most to you on your wedding day. Ask us questions, and we’ll do the same! We’ll discuss locations, shot ideas, and what we need from you to create the perfect film. This is a collaborative effort, so don’t hesitate to speak up if you have specific preferences. If something doesn’t sit right, let us know—we’re here to make your dream wedding video come to life!

2. Share Your Vision—Inspire Us!

You chose Blue Ridge Film Productions for a reason—whether it was our creative style, our portfolio, or our passion for storytelling. Now, it’s time to help us understand your vision. Share examples of videos that inspire you, whether from past clients or other sources. The more insight you provide, the better we can tailor your wedding video to match your vibe. Remember, this is YOUR story, and we want to capture it exactly how you imagine!

3. Keep an Eye on the Weather

While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can certainly plan for it! As your wedding day approaches, keep an eye on the forecast. If you see rain or chilly weather in the forecast, don’t wait for us to take the lead—take charge and set up a solid Plan B. It will reduce your stress and ensure we’re prepared for any weather condition. Plus, a little extra prep will help keep your big day running smoothly, no matter what the weather throws at us!

4. Personal Vows or Letters—The Heart of Your Story

A wedding video is more than just a collection of moments—it’s the story of your love. And what better way to tell your story than through your words? At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we always encourage couples to consider writing personal vows or sharing heartfelt letters. These moments provide incredible audio that brings emotional depth to your video. If you’re shy about saying vows in front of a crowd, consider exchanging private letters. This simple act will give us beautiful, authentic audio that’ll make your film unforgettable.

5. Maximize One-on-One Time (Yes, That Means the First Look!)

Here’s a pro tip: don’t skimp on your one-on-one time with your videographer! We get it—family photos are essential, but nothing beats those intimate moments between you and your partner. At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we recommend doing a first look to capture those private, unfiltered reactions before the ceremony. Trust us, it’ll make for incredible footage, and you’ll feel so much more relaxed. If the first look isn’t for you, try to limit your family formals to immediate family only, and save the extended group shots for later during the reception. This way, you’ll have more time to focus on each other—and we’ll capture every meaningful moment.

Communication is Key to a Perfect Wedding Video

Ultimately, the key to an amazing wedding video is clear, consistent communication. From your first consultation to the final edit, Blue Ridge Film Productions will be there to guide you through every step of the process. If you’re ready to create a wedding video that’s as unique as your love story, it all starts with one thing: talking to us! Let’s make magic happen.

know These Five Things Before Your Videography Consultation

Maximize Your 20-Minute Cinematography Consultation with Blue Ridge Film Productions!

So, you’ve watched our films, fallen in love with our style, and browsed through our packages — fantastic! The next step is to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced consultants. Whether it’s over the phone, google meets or FaceTime, this 20-minute session is all about making sure we bring your wedding vision to life with cinematic magic. Here’s how to make the most of it!

1. This Is a Conversation, Not a Sales Pitch

Yes, we’ll tell you about Blue Ridge Film Productions’ packages, pricing, and services, but this isn’t about a hard sell. It’s about YOU! We’re here to listen to your vision and understand your priorities for the big day. We’ll walk through your timeline, the moments you want captured, and how we can best fit into your plans. As we chat, feel free to let us know if our suggestions align with your vision—or if there’s something else that makes more sense for you. We’re here to offer guidance, share our expertise, and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way. There’s no pressure, just a conversation to help you make the best decision!

2. Set Realistic Expectations (and Be Ready to Invest)

Before diving into videography, take a moment to think about what really matters to you. Wedding videography is a lot like photography—it requires a talented crew, high-end equipment, and hours of post-production editing to give you a finished film you’ll cherish forever. It’s an investment, so be prepared for pricing that reflects that quality. Whether it’s more or less important than photography, video will take just as much time, effort, and expertise. Think about what’s important to you, and let’s have an open discussion about it.

3. Know What You Can’t Live Without (and Be Ready to Compromise)

Wedding planning is full of tough decisions, and videography is no exception. Maybe you want every single moment of the day captured, or maybe you just want a short highlight film to relive the magic. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of having footage of your guests dancing late into the night, or you can’t wait to see the “getting ready” moments unfold on film. Identify your top priorities for your wedding film before you speak with us. Knowing what’s non-negotiable will help us guide you toward the perfect package. Keep in mind, some compromises may be needed along the way—but don’t worry, we’ll help you navigate the process.

4. Ready to Book? Don’t Wait Too Long!

If you’re feeling confident about your decision and love what we offer, don’t wait around! Wedding dates can book up quickly, especially during peak seasons like summer and fall. We at Blue Ridge Film Productions tend to book up popular dates well over a year out. At the end of your consultation you’re ready to take the next step, just let us know and ask for the contract. If you love what you hear and the price feels right, we don’t want you to miss out on securing your date. The sooner you act, the better!

5. Be Smart When Shopping Around

One of the biggest mistakes couples make is shopping around too much. We get it—there are so many options, and it’s easy to get lost in the details. But here’s the thing: comparing pricing between companies can be tricky if you’re not comparing apples to apples. Different companies may offer different levels of service, quality, and experience, and it’s important to know what you're truly getting. If you’re unsure why one package is more expensive than another, or if you have questions about what’s included in our packages compared to others, just ask! We’re the experts, and this is likely your first time booking a wedding videographer. Let us help guide you through the process so you’re confident in your decision.

At Blue Ridge Film Productions, we’re dedicated to making your wedding film as unique and unforgettable as your love story. We can’t wait to meet with you, hear all about your vision, and work together to capture the memories that will last a lifetime!

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!

Who is Brent // Dreams Coming True

I remember being 16-years old sitting in a career development class at my local high school and the teacher asking us what we wanted to do with our life. We all have big dreams growing up... That 16 year old boy in me wanted to be Steven Spielberg (maybe just a more fashionable Spielberg).

Later that semester I remember taking a career test and receiving the results that read “lawyer”. And I also remember the day I shadowed a local judge as a junior in high school, I wore a suit and tie, and decided I could find other areas of my life to argue in with comfier clothes options (and far less formalities).

I remember being determined from that moment on to be my own boss.

It was that same year I got my first camera the Canon XL1! This was the very camera that filmed 28 Days Later, The Falls, War Crimes and a slew of other smaller productions. That prosumer camera was slightly out of date at the time and was considerable lacking in functionality. But I felt like the big guys in Hollywood.

Fast forward 6 years later and remember driving to my first paid shoot cluttering my brain with all the knowledge I had gained by skimming notes I had taken in the past I remember charging $600 for that first paid gig (a wedding) and thinking this is it. I’ve finally reached professional status. It was that gig that I fell in love with capturing couples true emotions of intimacy and began my career of storytelling.

For the past 5 years, I’ve poured everything I have into this business. When other guys were fixing up cars, I was saving for educational resources and gear. Sure, there have been times where I’ve doubted (and I may be fighting that temptation even as I type this). But, my prayer all along has been that if this is what Jesus has for me, may He continue to bless it. And He has. Since that initial gig my dreams began to build off of that 16-year-old boy in career development class. My goals and ambitions inspired me to curate the craft of cinematic storytelling with hopes that I might be blessed with the opportunity to travel for weddings + shoots. In the past 5 years, I’ve done just that. We traveled all over the country capturing love stories for so many beautiful couples. We’ve featured work on some of televisions biggest platforms (Fox News, NBC, CBS, CNN) and have seen our work published on countless forms/websites across the world.

In seasons where I’m full of questions and wonderings and uncertainties, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come. How even if the Lord took this business from me tomorrow, I’m so thankful and proud of how much I’ve grown over the years. I’ve even gained a wife who is the world’s best business partner, inspirational leader, and on-the-spot headshot taker. That’s another answered prayer I hold so dear 🤍

What are you hoping for? A new dream? An old dream to be reignited? For your current dream to actually work? To make an impact? I’ve been there, friend. I know how exhausting the hustle can get. Take a breath, light a candle, and talk with the One who knows your hearts desires even better than you do. There’s much, much more ahead