Top 8 Trends in Wedding Cinematography for the Modern Couple

Your wedding film should capture not only the beauty of the day but also the essence of your unique story. Today’s trends in wedding cinematography offer creative ways to personalize your film, from nostalgic touches to modern cinematic effects. Here’s my take on the top trends that can bring depth and personality to your wedding film, making it a lasting keepsake.

1. Cinematic Signature Highlight Film

The cinematic highlight film has become the hallmark of modern wedding videography. It’s more than just a typical wedding video with generic music and random shots; this is a personalized story, crafted to reflect your journey as a couple. With a focus on narrative, each film combines powerful audio, thoughtfully selected music, and stunning visuals to create an immersive experience. It’s a keepsake that will let you relive the emotions and beauty of your day for years to come.

My Take: I approach the cinematic highlight as a story-driven experience, focusing on moments that matter most to you. We work together to choose meaningful audio—from vows to speeches—and the perfect music to create a film that feels deeply personal.

2. Super 8mm and VHS Footage for a Vintage Feel

For couples who love nostalgia, adding Super 8mm or VHS footage brings a textured, retro touch to your wedding film. Super 8mm has a soft, grainy look reminiscent of old home movies, while VHS offers that classic, vintage vibe of family videos. These options allow you to blend modern cinematography with a timeless, romantic aesthetic.

My Take: I offer both Super 8mm and VHS options for couples looking to add a unique, nostalgic layer to their wedding film. These vintage elements pair beautifully with the main footage, creating a film that feels heartfelt and distinctive.

3. Documentary-Style Storytelling

This style combines candid moments, behind-the-scenes shots, and real-time audio to tell a story that feels raw and authentic. Instead of following a strict timeline, documentary-style storytelling lets the day unfold naturally, bringing out the spontaneous interactions and heartfelt moments.

My Take: I love the honesty of documentary-style storytelling. By blending in-the-moment interactions with thoughtful composition, I create a film that feels like a personal snapshot of your wedding day, capturing its essence without a script.

4. Drone Shots for Dramatic Views

Aerial drone footage provides a stunning perspective of your venue and surroundings, enhancing the cinematic quality of your wedding film. This trend works well for scenic locations, offering sweeping views that add a sense of grandeur to your story.

My Take: Drone shots can be an incredible addition, especially for outdoor venues or scenic locations. I use drones to create a breathtaking opening scene or establish the setting, giving your film a big-screen feel.

5. Interactive Guest Messages

Interactive guest messages allow your friends and family to share their love and well-wishes directly on film. It’s like a video guestbook, capturing heartfelt or funny messages that add a deeply personal layer to your wedding film.

My Take: I love including guest messages for couples who want a little extra personality in their film. Capturing these messages gives you a unique way to hear from loved ones and makes the film even more meaningful.

6. Emphasis on Candid Moments

Couples are gravitating toward candid, unposed shots that reveal the real emotions and laughter of the day. These spontaneous moments help capture the energy of your wedding, preserving the authentic reactions and interactions that make your day special.

My Take: I stay in the background to capture these genuine interactions, ensuring your film feels natural and unscripted. Candid shots let me highlight the emotions of the day, creating a story that feels true to life.

7. Personal Audio: Vows, Toasts, and Letters

Using real audio from vows, toasts, and letters read aloud adds a layer of depth and emotion that visuals alone can’t convey. Including your own words and those of loved ones helps create a film that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful.

My Take: I believe audio is key to a personal, timeless film. By capturing your words and emotions as they’re spoken, I can craft a film that feels genuinely personal, preserving the sentiments that made the day unforgettable.

8. Social Media Edits (Instagram & TikTok-Friendly)

Social media edits provide short, impactful clips specifically crafted for sharing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These edits highlight the most memorable parts of the day, giving you a quick way to share the joy of your wedding with friends and family online.

My Take: I offer social media edits that are perfect for sharing the excitement of your day in a format that’s ready for social media. These quick highlights capture the best moments and allow you to celebrate with loved ones in a fun, shareable way.

Let’s Capture Your Unique Story

When you work with me, I’ll help you choose the trends and styles that best fit your vision, creating a wedding film that reflects your story. If you’re ready to explore these cinematic trends and create a one-of-a-kind film, contact Chris to book your discovery call. Together, we’ll craft a wedding film that feels authentic, timeless, and uniquely yours.

Helpful Links:

• Elegant vs. Quirky: Finding the Right Vibe for Your Wedding Film: For readers interested in trends, this link can help them explore which trends align with their preferred wedding style.

• The Ultimate Wedding Timeline: Certain trends, like documentary style or guest messages, require specific timing considerations, making a link to timeline planning helpful for readers who want these elements.