Must-have Moments to Capture in your Wedding Video

You've invested lots of time into finding the right videographer for your wedding. Or maybe a professional wedding video is not in your budget, and you will handle your wedding video production yourself.

Now, the issue is deciding what moments you need to include in your beloved wedding video - and the best ways you can share the video with loved ones later. Check out the must-have shots that will make your wedding video the keepsake of a lifetime, and our fun ideas for sharing those moments with the special people in them.
 

The Shots: The Two of You

Although the basic must-have moments may seem obvious, make sure your videographer knows you want these wedding classics to preserve on video:

• Close-up of groom anxiously awaiting his bride
• Bride at the end of the aisle, close-up and full-length
• Here-comes-the-bride view, from the altar area
• Bride and groom exchanging vows
• Close-ups during the vows
• Bride and groom exchanging rings
• The kiss
• The happy couple walking up the aisle
• Bride and groom getting into their getaway car
• Bride and groom making their entrance at reception as husband and wife
• Bride and groom's first dance
• Bride and groom cutting and feeding each other cake
• Bride tossing the bouquet
• Groom tossing the garter
• Bride and groom driving off, happily ever after

The Shots: Family

When it comes to family, nothing brings loved ones together like a wedding. Honor those nearest and dearest by including the following moments in your video:

• Sentimental shot of bride with parents and siblings
• Bride with mom helping with the dress or veil/tiara
• Groom getting ready with Dad and pals
• Sentimental shot of groom with parents and siblings
• Dad or parents walking the bride down the aisle
• Dad giving the bride away
• Bride dancing with Dad
• Groom dancing with Mom
• Parents and grandparents dancing

The Shots: Wedding Party

They'll stand by you from start to finish, but that doesn't always guarantee screen time. The following are the shots you'll kick yourself over if you don't get them on your wedding video:

• Bride and bridesmaids getting dressed
• Bride with bridesmaids
• Bride with the maid/matron of honor
• Groom with all the groomsmen
• Groom with the best man
• Ushers escorting guests to seats
• Wedding party at the altar
• Flower girl walking down aisle
• Close-up of ring bearer
• Readers reading passages
• Singing performances
• Best man giving traditional toast
• Wedding party dancing at reception

The Shots: Guests

Unfortunately, you may not have as much time as you'd like to spend with individuals on your wedding day, and there's no way you can be everywhere at once. These guest shots will ensure you get to see all your favorite people celebrating, as well as some moments you couldn't witness first hand:

• Guests entering the wedding site
• Shot of all the guests during the ceremony from the bride and groom's point of view
• Congratulatory shot of bride and groom with guests outside of ceremony
• Shot of the venue as guests arrive at reception
• Receiving line if applicable
• Friends and loved ones making toasts
• Guests enjoying dinner
• Guests dancing
• Kids dancing

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