Do Wedding Videographers Direct Weddings? Our Documentary Approach Explained

When couples start thinking about hiring a wedding videographer, one of the questions (and occasionally worries) is whether moments are directed or staged on the day of their wedding.

It’s a very fair question, especially given how wedding content and inspiration online can look natural, but is often more posed than it appears. 

We do truly mean it when we say that we very rarely pose people during a wedding. Around 90% of the time we’re purely observational, just letting the day happen around us. The other 10% is very light guidance or a small prompt if we feel it will enhance the emotions or energy that’s already happening in the moment. 

The couples who choose us to film their wedding day are looking to enjoy the day with their people, and be fully present without it feeling like they’re on a production set.

Even though we’re there as two professionals documenting all your memories, we don’t want you to feel like you’re being watched or managed throughout the day. Our aim is for it to feel relaxed, like we’re just two extra guests who happen to have cameras with us.

Because of that, instead of constantly posing or directing, we’ll naturally interact when the moment is right. That might be something as simple as a prompt during couple portraits, like taking a moment to tell each other what your favourite part of the day has been so far. Or it might be guiding you into a space if you’ve chosen to read private vows somewhere a bit more quiet and personal.

With guests, we have the same approach because we want them to feel just as comfortable and cared for in front of us! If we notice people really taking in the venue or the atmosphere, we might just ask them how it feels to be there at that moment or what they’re excited about witnessing.

During welcome drinks, if conversations are flowing and emotions are high, we’ll often gently prompt guests to share a message on camera for your future film. 

The 10% that we do guide is always in service of helping you feel comfortable and present rather than taken out of the moment. Our guidance is only shared to enrich your wedding memories with the emotions and real moments occurring, so when you watch your film you’re watching a true representation of your celebration.

Why Multi-Day Celebrations Work So Well With An Observational Approach

Filming destination weddings with a more documentary style approach not only helps you two feel comfortable with us, but also your guests too! We absolutely love filming the days leading up to your wedding, it gives us time to learn who people are and connect with them, which in return helps them forget about the cameras and relax around us. As soon as people start feeling comfortable in our presence we are able to capture their personalities much more authentically.

Capturing More Than One Perspective

One of the things that naturally supports our observational approach is that there are two of us filming.

Weddings are full of moments happening simultaneously. Whilst Eduard may be focused on the main event unfolding, Josey is often capturing the reactions, atmosphere, and smaller details surrounding it. A ceremony is a great example. Whilst one of us is focused on the couple exchanging vows, the other may be capturing a parent’s reaction, a friend wiping away a tear, or the way your guests are experiencing the moment themselves.

Filming together helps us to remain more observational throughout the day. We don't need to stop moments from happening or ask people to repeat things in order to capture a different angle.

Because there are two of us, we can let moments unfold as they are, whilst still capturing the different perspectives, emotions, and connections that make your wedding feel like your wedding.

How couples feel in front of the camera

Our favourite thing to hear from you after your wedding is how comfortable you felt throughout the day. That’s when we know we’ve done our job in the best way possible! When people feel relaxed, they don’t feel the need to perform for the camera or be anything other than themselves. After years of filming weddings, we’ve learnt how to gently help people feel at ease in front of the camera, especially if they’re a little shy at first (which is completely normal, by the way!!).

As Gabby and Sam shared:

“The coolest, calmest, most creative people who captured our day exactly as it felt — warm and magical — and had fun with us while doing it!!”

Lam and Matt said:

“They were professional, caring and personable — literally felt like instant friends from our first meeting.”

And Danielle and Matt told us:

“On the day they were even better than I imagined, so fun, so professional and really made everyone feel at ease. They are both absolute perfectionists and are fantastic at what they do. I could not recommend them enough!”

We also often hear that guests feel the same way, with Nia and George sharing:

“We have had endless comments from everyone saying how nice you both were, how you fitted in like guests and how great and professional you were.”

This approach will always be the intention for us! We want to be present, but never intrusive.

Inquire about your documentary wedding film

If you’re looking for a documentary wedding videographer team in Europe who focuses on candid moments, artful storytelling, with an unobtrusive approach, we’d absolutely love to hear from you!

We film destination weddings across Spain, Italy, France, and throughout Europe.

Inquire now to check availability for your date.