How To Film A Wedding Ceremony - Part 2 - Wedding Videography Tips

[@SpiritLedTV]

Great content bro! I had a general idea of camera angles and have been looking through KZbin for the past couple of months. Definitely a blessing of information!! Thank you bro!!

[@waynelast1685]

I like that "set it and forget it" tip.... I've been caught many times.... takes skill and experience.

[@waynelast1685]

4 cameras... how many live people working them? I would pick 1) Yourself 2) a roamer cam, 3) an assistant to turn off/on and frame the groom and back cams? An assistant helps to keep an eye on the equipment too since some people might get curious or "trip" over it.

[@63MacGuy]

Thanks! Would love to see some indoor weddings.

[@WaywardNorth]

Indoor wedding films? Or examples of indoor wedding ceremonies?

[@alexdeo3153]

@@WaywardNorth These outdoor weddings are gorgeous but living in a hot tropical climate many ceremonies tend to be in churches with poor fluorescent lighting, so some tips in managing a smaller venue,darkener environments and the lack of the ability to compress the background of a shot )as you beautifully do in these great outdoor examples) would be a great tutorial! PS Awesome work! New subscriber

[@WaywardNorth]

@@alexdeo3153 This is a great idea! I have certainly done my fair share of church ceremonies and you are right, totally different type of setting and camera placement. Thanks for subbing :)

[@moorememoriesvideo7070]

Excellent stuff. As a solo shooter, this is exactly the way I go about filming the wedding ceremony. 4 Cameras (3 tripods) may seem like overkill, but having that roamer cam makes all of the difference to me!

[@WaywardNorth]

100% I just feel its better to be over prepared and feel confident in coverage than to second guess it later on.

[@moorememoriesvideo7070]

@@WaywardNorth same!!

[@osmumos]

Hey Wayward, I really appreciate these videos. I stumbled upon and went through Part 1 last week, but then didn't finish Part 2 until today. I have to tell you, I wish I watched this last week. I had my first wedding video yesterday, and it was so challenging. I made so many mistakes that you have called out in your tips. I messed up with FPS (should I do 24p, or 60p), Exposure (should I just crank up the aperture or throw on an ND Filter?), Focusing (when to use Manual focus vs auto-focus). I recommend this video to anyone doing wedding videos especially beginners like me. Adopt the setting and forget it mentality! I will remember this forever! Thank you!

[@AlexanderBischof]

Excellent Part 2

[@chainedmoose6712]

Thank you! This is the most stressful part of a wedding for me.

[@cornerstonedigitalmedia]

Subscribed and Liked. Thanks!

[@imwonderstruckk13]

Do you set a manual focus for the on-tripod cams instead of auto focus so it doesn’t adjust when they move slightly?

[@WaywardNorth]

Autofocus can be hit or miss here. If you have time to swing over, set focus and reposition with your roamed camera that’s what I would do to avoid AF missing the moment entirely. You may miss a few people entering but worth it to ensure you get groom reaction. This is also where a Wide Angle Backup comes in handy

[@danielgray1874]

So if you have 3 cameras, it would be one for the groom reaction, one wide, and one roamer. Would that roamer cam be used for the bride once she arrives? Or do you use the groom reaction cam and switch sides? It seemed like once the bride arrived another camera was introduced. Thanks for the amazing videos, it's really helpful!

[@WaywardNorth]

Thanks so much! Yes, your roamer cam captured everyone entering the ceremony, the brides entrance included. Generally once she makes her way up I hang around until Dad or whomever gives her away. Then I either take my roamer and put it on the right side for vows or roam around and capture multiple angles since I have two additional cams running.

[@mixedupmrs580]

What f-stop would you set those 135mm bride and groom cameras at?

[@WaywardNorth]

If it’s unattended 4.0 or 5.6 to retain focus. With a second, 2.0

[@summittoseafilms]

Thank you for this! Ceremonies can be so stressful!

[@FireInk15]

What focal length do you recommend for the roamer cam.

[@jaygrote3557]

Great video! I noticed you didn't mention lighting and sun angles for this...Can you share some wisdom about equipment or rolling with weather changes? After getting a lot of experience with church streaming, mostly funerals, I have learned that I shoot my services pretty much the same as you. Any feedback on lighting would be awesome!

[@WaywardNorth]

Hey Jay! Great thoughts! Mixed lighting can certainly be challenging and frustrating to navigate. A few tips is to check out the venue before the wedding day and see where the sun will land during the ceremony. If the sun is going in and out, the best practice is to set your camera a bit under exposed during harsh conditions, this way if the sun does creep in and out you aren't worrying about an overexposed image or having to constantly adjust/battle your settings. This happened to me this past Saturday, annoying for sure but certainly manageable.

[@ForeverFilmsWedding]

Quick question, when you are capturing the ceremony, what f-stop are you shooting at. (I shoot pany s1's) I use the sigma 85's and 135's wide open, 1.4, on the fixed cameras, and sometimes I find I have totally missed focus especially if the couple re-adjusted positioning. My camera I use 35 1.4 or 24 to 105 f4 and it seems with my 24 to 105 (pana) at f4 i never miss. and at 105 still achieve nice blur.

[@WaywardNorth]

Great question! It’s always better to close down your F stop to either 3.2 to 4.0 to retain some focus within your frame. Especially for the groom reaction. As long as you are using a longer lens like the 85,135, or 24-105 you will still get some nice separation within your image!

[@chaylish7576]

How do you manage having the tripod in the middle of the aisle during the ceremony? Photographers always step in front of my camera and it messes up the focus (I shoot manual focus with a gh5 in the back) thanks! Love your content it’s so helpful as a solo shooter :)

[@WaywardNorth]

Ugh I know that can be a frustrating experience. Typically if you are solo shooting, instead of having the aisle camera directly in the middle because photographers will need this area as well. Maybe consider having the camera offset to the right or left. You can communicate your needs for this angle and some photographers can work around it but those who can’t that’s what I would recommend for your safety angle and then have a second cam on groom reaction and third camera as a roamer. If you only have two then have the second cam as your roamer and float between bride and groom!

[@ChrisFlores22]

dude! I have this playlist play in my car while I drive to venues to calm me down and get me in creative mode as soon as I arrive!! I solo shoot and film with primes (saving up for a 24-70) I use a 50 on my handheld camera that I have on me with a PD strap. Sometimes it’s too tight for some shots and I end up grabbing another camera with a 20mm and walk around awkwardly with two cameras not knowing what to do with the other camera that I’m not using at the moment lol would it be silly to use a “money maker” dual camera strap as a videographer?? During the ceremony I have two tripod cameras and a handheld on me. The rest of the day I’m usually fine with the 50mm on me and 20mm on a tripod for first looks and dances but during the couple portraits is where I struggle to find a process that works for me when filming with primes. Thanks!!!

[@WaywardNorth]

I think a holdfast camera strap wouldn’t be a bad idea at all! I know a lot of videographers who dual weild to make it it easier for switching. Maybe try it out and see how it flows throughout the day. Might put more strain on the back but if it makes your filming workflow less stress, do it!!

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@WaywardNorth thanks for your reply!! I think I’d only use two cameras for the portrait session since the 50mm has got me for the rest of the day. Thanks!

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@WaywardNorth anything you would recommend besides having a 24-70 (which I’m saving up for) ?

[@WaywardNorth]

@@ChrisFlores22 24, 50, 135mm are my go to’s

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@WaywardNorth hey man! Watching this video again lol thank you for the amazing content! I was able to get a 24-70 and used this weekend and it made things easier!! With a 3 camera setup (2 tripod cameras and 1 roaming camera) and these lenses: 24-70, 35, 50, 85 how would you setup?

[@benjamin.kelley]

As always, super helpful tips. The only hard one is the set and forget method for the groom angle if you have 1 shooter getting a down the aisle shot and 1 getting a following shot of the bride. Obviously you can skip the follow shot, but it adds I guess. Any tips other than try to estimate it with a stand in?

[@WaywardNorth]

You can drop down in focal length for the groom reaction angle to ensure you get him in frame/focused. Another tip, you can stand on the groom angle side capturing the bridal party coming down until everyone is in place and then rotate to the center to get the bride. Id only worry about those 2 cameras solo shooting during the processional (groom reaction and bride entrance) those are the two most important.

[@moorememoriesvideo7070]

I stand along side the photographer so I can capture groom reaction & bride walking with the same cam (gimbal or handheld) Then I have my other cams in place on tripods, the most important being a safe/wide shot from the back. That angle gives me a chance to set up my bride groom cams for the duration. Hope that helps, good luck!

[@johnperegoy5393]

New sub! Question. I’ve recently introduced two a7iii for my wedding vow b-cam setup. I’ve had an issue with my focus jumping around from one face to the next. (Like MOH or Best man) Do you manual focus on your b-cams? Or do you use a certain focus area like center, zone, wide, etc.? Thanks for the feedback. I’m usually setup at 135 f2.8.

[@WaywardNorth]

Thanks so much! I try not to rely too heavily on Autofocus for valueable moments like the ceremony. I generally close down my F-Stop to 3.2 or 4.0 and set focus when the groom and officiant make their way into the ceremony.

[@alisonklein1970]

SOOO love your videos and greatly appreciate you taking the time to make them! Would love your recommendation on one piece. If I only have 2 camera bodies and I am a single shooter, how would you suggest a set-up? I have a 135mm lens so I'm assuming set it up on tripod to catch grooms reaction and with handheld down center aisle film the bride? Do you recommend moving the tripod to the other side during the ceremony to get a different angle? Thanks so much!!!

[@WaywardNorth]

Thanks so much! For two cameras I would have one on the left with the 135 and then take the second camera handheld in the center of the aisle. This way you at-least have two perspectives that captures the vows, rings, kiss and exit seamlessly.

[@alisonklein1970]

@@WaywardNorth Thank you for responding!!

[@petrolpoodle]

​@@WaywardNorth is this with one camera locked on facing the groom and one handheld? Or with it groom *side* in anticipation of facing the bride but capturing him from the side/rear? I assume facing groom? TIA!

[@petrolpoodle]

Ignore me I've just seen your other comment clarifying this! I can't tell you how useful this all is, thank you so much!

[@cosmiccine9162]

Thank you for this amazing tips. I have only 2 cameras and i'm a solo shooter...hopefully next year i can afford to get another camera. Im less than 2 years in business :) any tips please

[@WaywardNorth]

One camera with tripod on the Grooms side. Second camera capturing the bridal party/bride walking down the aisle. Make sure grooms angle is set and focused, and just float with your second camera for different perspectives!

[@cosmiccine9162]

@@WaywardNorth thank you so much!!! 🙏 I'm learning so much from your videos!!!

[@tanyaallenbyfilms]

Love your work! Thank you gor sharing your knowledge. Wanted to ask you the technical thing. Do you shoot in Slog on the Sony? Or any other picture profile? Do you use ND filters for the outdoor stuff? Thank you once again. Tanya

[@WaywardNorth]

Thanks so much! I shoot in S-Cinetone on the A7Siii. For the R6 I would shoot in a custom neutral picture profile. I do use ND filters, my favorite is the Polar Pro Mist Filters.

[@tanyaallenbyfilms]

Hi again! Also wanted to ask about the Black Mist filter you suggest. Do you have it on for the entire day or only for the certain scenes? And how do you go about using the ND filter at the same time? Thank you in advance

[@WaywardNorth]

@@tanyaallenbyfilms With The Polar Pro Mist Combo I use this for a majority of the day outdoors and then I switch to a regular Black Pro Mis filter for Reception.

[@tanyaallenbyfilms]

Amazing. Thank you for getting back to me so fast! Would you have the filter on all of the cameras during the ceremony so all of the footage looks the same? Also, what power ND for the PolarPro? 2-5 or 6-9? They are not cheap, wouldn't want to get both strength. Which one works for the most of lighting conditions? My current ND is variable 2-10 stops

[@LeviandMaggie]

What is your solution when the ceremony is outdoors and the day is a mix of sun and cloud and exposure is constantly changing? Do you ever leave your tripods on auto. I know it’s a deadly sin for video but I can’t think of a better solution.

[@ChrisFlores22]

Do you sell luts? I would love to support your channel through buying luts

[@WaywardNorth]

Thank you so much! I am working some at the moment and hope to release them soon :)

[@ChrisFlores22]

@@WaywardNorth dude awesome 👏🏻 can’t wait!! Much admiration and I watch your videos while I drive to venues to help remind me that it’s going to be fine lol thanks!!

[@i_clixx4700]

hi, when you set up your 135mm / 200 what F stop do you use to make sure the bride and groom are in focus and what focus area do you set the camera. thanks