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.

Important Tips for Wedding Planning

1. You don't have to be best buddies with your videographer.
With tons of wedding blogs saying it’s crucial to mesh with your planner and photographer, it might be hard to believe that it isn't a key factor in hiring a videographer. Years from now, you won’t remember their personality, nor will it be relevant. On your wedding day, he or she will be silently fading into the background (so they don't disrupt natural moments), and their voice won’t be on your footage. The most important factor when choosing a videography company should be the style of their videos and the reviews and ratings. If you love their work and the films they've created for other couples, then hopefully you’re going to adore your own video and will want to watch it for the rest of your life. (PS: I loving meeting new people and making new friends its just not an essential part of the process.)

2. "Getting ready" footage will be some of your favorite moments to watch later. 
You might think the ceremony and dance floor are the main attractions, but how often do you get to have all of your best friends in one place relaxing and hanging out? You’re ecstatic, looking your best, and getting ready for the event of a lifetime! You’ll be sharing stories and laughing hysterically (or shedding a few happy tears). Plus, there's usually at least one emotional moment as your mom helps you into your dress or your dad sees you as a bride for the first time.

3. Lighting and timing are essential to getting the most beautiful footage. 
You’ve probably seen gorgeous wedding videos where the couple is walking hand-in-hand through pine trees as the light shines through the branches behind them. Rarely do those shots happen out of the blue. Hazy golden rays and pink sunsets have to be planned for, so talk to your videographer about your wedding day timeline. That way, you’ll be outside during the best hours of the day to create the most magical scenes.

4. Your videographer will need to take a quick break to eat. 
On your wedding day, your videographer will be literally on the move for hours on end. Even if you take a break, they won't be able to, because they need to capture those little moments that happen when no one’s looking. The only time this isn’t true is when you sit down to eat. You’re not going to want footage of guests eating, so at this moment, your videographer needs to eat, too. It’s a courtesy to offer your full-day vendors food at the reception. They don’t have to have the lobster tail — a vendor meal works just fine.

5. Your personalities are what will make your wedding video great. 
It takes planning, great shooting, precise editing, and an artistic eye to craft the perfect wedding video, but not even the most skilled videographer can inject emotion into the footage like you can. Gush your heart out in a letter! Be present when you tell your spouse that you will love him or her as long as you both shall live! Get wild on the dance floor with your friends! The more you enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of love, the more you’ll cherish reliving it through your wedding video.

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!.

The Dos & Don'ts When Booking A Videographer

My first suggestion when booking a videographer for your wedding, is to watch as many films as you can. The absolute best way to get a feel of what a videographer has to offer, is to watch the final product. After you find a videographer with films that give you all the feels, here's a list of dos & don'ts to ask them before you book:

DO ask: What makes you passionate about filming weddings? 

DON'T ask: Did you go to school for this?

      It's always important to know where someone's motivation comes from. If they are creating work they love and gives them life, it always shines through. It not only affects how deeply the film connects to a couple emotionally, but it also affects how they work with you and other vendors.  Passion comes from a place in you heart, not where or how long you were educated for. When it comes to a creative trade, you could learn about it for years, but without a deep love for what you're creating...none of that matters. 

DO ask: How do you go about capturing the day?

DON'T ask: What type of camera do you use?

     Everyone's filming process is different, but it's important to know if their process works for you. If you are someone who likes a more candid feel, you are probably looking for a videographer that is quietly working behind the scenes (when you forget someone's filming, it's easier to capture those raw moments). If you are someone that loves to be directed with a more styled approach, you probably want someone who gives direction side-by-side with the photographer. Again, the best way to know the quality of a videographers footage, is to watch it! It doesn't matter the price/brand of the camera. If the final outcome is beautiful, that's what counts. 

DO ask: What is your editing process? 

DON'T ask: How many weddings have you shot?

    The editing process after your wedding can be even more important than the actual wedding day itself. Post-production is when all the magic happens! It's important to know things like: do they edit with the flow of the music, do they follow the same editing structure for every wedding, what happens if you want to make a change after the film is edited, etc. Experience is important, but the best way to judge is based on their portfolio of work, and how well they communicate with you. Just because someone's filmed over 100 weddings, doesn't mean the outcome will be better than someone who's only filmed 50. 

We hope to hear from you in the future! 

-BRfilms

My Bucket List - Adventure With Me

I am so grateful for how many doors being a cinematographer has opened for me and travel. As a fellow adventurous spirit I fully believe life is better lived when you seek out new places - especially on our beautiful planet.

Is your elopement or wedding in one of these destinations, OR are you just exploring with Your Love and want it documented? Great news! We offer discounts for shoots in these specific areas. YEP. You heard me right! We seek adventure and light in this God-given life, so I want that to translate over to my cinematic films and those I get to share it with! Do you still have an epic location that is not on my list? Don’t let that stop you! Let me know and we will see what we can do! Cause honestly you may have imagined up idea that far surpasses what I can dream up!

BUCKET LIST

International

• Scotland

• Ireland

• Iceland

• Italy

• Norway

• Switzerland

• New Zealand  

• Patagonia

• France

• London

• Africa

• Cuba

• Thailand

• Bali

• South Africa

• Greece

United states

• Yosemite

• Redwoods

• Big Sur

• White Sands

• Monument Valley

• Mt. Rainer, WA

• Zion National Park

• Grand Canyon

• Joshua Tree

• Nantucket

• Martha’s Vineyard

• Hawaii

• Jackson Hole

• Pippin Hill, Va

• The White Sparrow Barn, TX

• Magnolia Market

Oh the Places You’ll go…

…that I can tag along too!

The Importance of Booking a Wedding Filmmaker

I have found that sometimes a cinematographer is one of the last things a couple books and by extension one of the last things they make room for in the budget. So for this post I wanted to emphasize the importance of wedding filmmaker. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a thousand stories. By being able to capture sound and movement a filmmaker can tell the complete tale of your wedding day. Storytelling is what we do.

How did her dress flow during the first dance? What was that joke his uncle made during the toasts? These are the types of things only a video can capture. Photos can do a lot of things, movement and sound isn’t one of them. Are you writing your own vows? Or having an epic choreographed first dance? The best way to capture and remember all of the heartfelt moments, as well as all of the fun moments too, is with a video. A skilled filmmaker will not just film everything but find the perfect shots and angles to emphasize your love and devotion to each other. And then they can edit it in such a way that tells the story of not just this magical day but your unique and special relationship and give you memories that you can relive and share for years to come.

A video lets you relive everything, in detail, over and over again. It also allows you to share these moments with family and friends who couldn’t make it on the day. Videos are perfect for sharing on social media to let everyone experience the biggest moment of your life. An experienced filmmaker can film and edit together a video that lets all who see it feel like they were really there. And it might even let you experience some moments that you missed on your big day. Weddings, by their very nature, can be hectic and stressful and with so much going on you might miss or just not fully experience some moments. With a filmmaker you can trust, you won’t have to worry about that anymore.

As the months turn into years and you build a life together; maybe move, buy a house, get promoted, have kids, whatever your dream life together turns out to be; you may not look back on your wedding film very often. You might revisit it on certain anniversaries and for a while that will be it and that’s enough. But there will come those times when your wedding video will mean so much more. One of my past brides lost her grandfather six months after her wedding and she said that being able to go back and watch the video as he walked her down the aisle really helped her grieve and meant a lot to her. And even if you never have a moment as profound as that one with your wedding video, it is still something that when you’re old and gray you can watch and share with your children and grandchildren.

That is ultimately what my job as a wedding filmmaker is all about. So I would urge every engaged couple out there to make a wedding video a priority and put it near the top of your list. Find a filmmaker whose style you like and that you get along with and hire them to film your special day. Because it’s not just about getting that perfect, cool shot or interesting transition. It’s about preserving memories and telling a love story.

Top 10 Moments You’ll Definitely Want To Include On Your Must-Have Shot List

When you hire a videographer to film your wedding, it’s helpful to clue them into the aspects of your day that are most important to you to make your film exactly everything you’ve dreamed of! These are some of the most essential moments to include on your “must-haves” list, and the best way to relay them to your cinematographer team!

Getting Ready – Guys AND Gals

The time spent getting ready on your big day is arguably a favorite. It’s the “calm before the storm,” when everyone is relaxed and brimming with anticipation for the events to come. Make sure to ask your videographer about your timeline – that way they can capture BOTH parties in pre-wedding mode. It’s one of the only times you spend apart on your wedding day, and you will treasure watching the love of your life get ready for the big moment!

Details

Chances are, you spent months and months if not even years planning your wedding to make sure every detail was perfect – from the escort cards to the favors guests took home. Be sure to cue your videography team into any extra-special details, but don’t be afraid to include the usual stuff too! Create a little box with a copy of your invitation suite and let them know you’d love shots of your engagement ring, the custom champagne flutes, etc.

Aerial Footage Of Your Venue

If it’s permitted at your venue to capture aerial footage, this can be one of the most stunning and theatric moments of your wedding film. Seeing your venue from an aerial perspective is so special and the most dramatic way to take the memories of your day to the next level!

First Look

Whether you are doing a “first look” or seeing each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle, you’ll want to capture all of the romantic feels! And don’t forget any other “first looks” throughout the day – consider your bridesmaids, father of the bride, siblings, etc. The looks of surprise and love are something you’ll definitely treasure.

Vows

It doesn’t matter if you wrote your own or are using traditional vows, you’ll want them captured on film! Give our team a heads up so they know the general timeline of your ceremony and whether your vows will be personalized or not so they can best capture them.

First Kiss As A Married Couple!

How could we leave out the first kiss? This may seem like an obvious one, but consider the moments surrounding the kiss. Do you want your film to feature “I now pronounce you…” Are you going to stop at the end of the aisle for a fun dip or fist pump? Let us know!

Toasts

Believe it or not, the order of events during different wedding receptions varies a LOT! The more detailed your timeline is, the more likely it is that our filming team will be able to record every important moment. Providing a detailed list of who’s speaking when is extremely helpful!

First Dance

Your first dance with your new spouse, parent dances, and any other features dances are essential parts of any wedding film. Planning a surprise choreographed dance? Don’t let it be a surprise to your cinematographer!

Breaking Down The Dance Floor

Speaking of dancing, make sure your filmer knows to get out there on the dance floor. It’s where your guests will be letting loose and having a great time – so you’ll love all the different expressions they will capture!

Anything Totally Unique To Your Day

Are you doing a meaningful cultural tradition on your wedding day? Do you have custom details that took hours and hours to coordinate? Are you surprising everyone with a burger delivery at the end of the night? The more information your videography team has, the better footage they can get to create a truly holistic vision of your day!

Most Importantly…

Don’t Forget The Candid Moments!

The candid moments throughout your wedding day WILL be your favorite – trust us! If there are people you especially want candid shots of, don’t be afraid to provide pictures ahead of time. But for the most part, this is where you let your filmers do their thing. They are experienced professionals who’ve done this a time or two and know what to look for. Put your trust in them to create an incredible cinematic representation of your day.

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.

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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?

Keep These Things In Mind For Your Wedding Day Timeline

Everything starts to get a little more real when you start building that wedding day timeline. But it’s important to keep in mind all of the logistics of your wedding day and vendors in order to build a timeline that will be perfect for you and your guests! These are a few of the essentials that we work on fine tuning with our couples when going over the breakdown of their wedding day!

Locations

Are you having your ceremony and reception at different locations? Don’t forget to build in ample travel time between the two! If they’re in the same location, how do you plan on filling dead time in between the ceremony and reception?

Photos

Usually, your videographer will tag along for photo sessions to capture some great footage of the bride and groom with their loved ones, so this one is important to us! When do you plan on taking family, wedding party, and solo photos? (Hint: this is when many couples decide to do a first look – allowing you to take a ton of your photos before the ceremony!) We always encourage couples to pad photo sessions with extra time so you don’t feel rushed and can enjoy the process!

Toasts & Coordinated Dances

During the reception, you’ll probably have a lot of “activities” to plan around. The most important of these are the toasts and coordinated dances. Make sure everyone involved in these mini-events know when they are expected and how much time they will have. This is also where having a great DJ/MC comes in handy! Making clear announcements for the big moments ensures that no one misses out!

Reception Ending And/Or Grand Exit

If your wedding has a hard stop time (many venues do), you’ll need to have a tighter timeline. Will you be doing a grand exit and if so, what time? Do you want your photographer and videographer to stick around to capture the sparkler procession or your decorated getaway car?

Of course, every wedding is unique and yours will have specific elements that are unique and special. Start by building a general timeline and keep adding details as you go. If you’re working with a planner or day-of-coordinator, they will be a huge help when it comes to developing a successful timeline. Remember, the goal is to create as little stress as possible on the day of, so the more time you can build in, the better!

Reserve Blue Ridge Film Productions On Your Wedding day

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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