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

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!