A Day in the Life: What to Expect from Your Documentary-Style Wedding Video in Minneapolis
When you hire a documentary-style wedding videographer, the process is about more than just filming your big day—it's about creating a personalized story that reflects the true essence of your wedding. Here's a breakdown of what couples can expect when working with a documentary-style wedding videographer, from the initial consultation to receiving your final video:
1. Initial Consultation & Connection:
What to expect: The process begins with an initial consultation where you’ll discuss your vision for the day, your personalities, and your wedding details. A documentary-style videographer will focus on understanding the essence of your love story and what moments are most meaningful to you. They’ll ask questions like, “What’s the vibe you want for your wedding?” or “Are there any personal traditions or details that you want to highlight?”
Why it matters: This conversation helps them understand what’s important to you—whether it’s intimate moments, family connections, or the spontaneous joy of the day. The more they understand about your expectations and the atmosphere you want to create, the more they can personalize their approach to capturing your wedding.
2. Pre-Wedding Communication & Planning:
What to expect: As your wedding day approaches, your videographer will typically check in to finalize the details. While documentary-style videographers focus on capturing real moments, they still need to know the timeline of events so they can be in the right place at the right time. Expect to discuss locations, timing, and any special moments or surprises you want to make sure are included.
Why it matters: Clear communication helps ensure that your videographer is prepared, but they won’t be dictating or controlling the flow of the day. Their goal is to be unobtrusive, blending into the background while still knowing when to be in the right place to catch key moments as they happen naturally.
3. On the Wedding Day – Blending Into the Background:
What to expect: On your wedding day, a documentary-style videographer is there to capture the flow of events without interrupting or staging anything. Unlike traditional videographers who may direct shots or set up elaborate poses, a documentary-style videographer will quietly observe and capture spontaneous moments—whether it’s your partner’s reaction as you walk down the aisle or the laughter during your reception.
Why it matters: Their goal is to remain as unobtrusive as possible, moving quietly among guests and blending into the background. You'll hardly notice them, and that’s the point! They want to capture authentic, unscripted moments that tell the true story of your day, without altering its natural course.
4. The Filming Process – Capturing Real, Unscripted Moments:
What to expect: A documentary-style videographer’s approach involves shooting footage throughout the entire day, not just the ceremony and reception. They’ll capture the small, candid moments—like your getting ready process, the behind-the-scenes energy, your guests interacting, and all the little details that make your day unique. You may even see them capturing quiet moments during your first look or the raw emotions during speeches and vows.
Why it matters: This approach ensures the film feels authentic and gives you a comprehensive snapshot of the full day. They’re not just filming the "highlight" moments, but everything that happens in between, making sure nothing goes unnoticed. As a result, your wedding video will feel more like a documentary, telling the full story rather than a collection of isolated clips.
5. Post-Wedding Process – Editing for Storytelling:
What to expect: After the wedding, the editing process begins. A documentary-style wedding videographer takes the raw footage and carefully edits it into a full-length film that tells the story of your day. They’ll weave together moments, from the laughter to the quiet glances, crafting a narrative that feels natural and fluid. Expect the final product to be more like a cinematic experience that flows as a story rather than a disjointed set of clips.
Why it matters: The editing process is where the magic happens, as the videographer selects and arranges footage to create a story that resonates emotionally. They focus on maintaining the authenticity of the day while enhancing the emotional depth through music, natural sound, and seamless transitions. You’ll see the true flow of the day, and it will feel like you’re reliving it from start to finish.
6. Final Video Delivery – Reliving Your Wedding Story:
What to expect: Once the video is complete, you’ll receive the final product—usually in the form of a full-length documentary video and a shorter highlight reel. The full video will cover the key moments, as well as the emotional highs and lows, with a focus on candid, real moments that feel genuine. The highlight reel will give you a condensed version of your wedding day, typically 3-5 minutes, capturing the essence of the day in a cinematic way.
Why it matters: These videos allow you to relive your wedding as it truly was. Over time, you’ll be able to revisit these moments, watching the raw, emotional parts of your day that you might have missed or forgotten. Unlike more stylized wedding videos, a documentary-style film will remain timeless because it’s grounded in the authentic, unposed moments that make your day unique.
In Conclusion:
Working with a documentary-style wedding videographer means you’re choosing to invest in a wedding film that reflects the true, unscripted essence of your day. From the first consultation to receiving your final video, you can expect a smooth, collaborative process where your videographer blends into the background to capture the raw emotions and intimate moments of your wedding. The result is a timeless, authentic film that tells the full, beautiful story of your day in a way that feels personal, real, and emotionally rich.