3 Destination Wedding Film Styles : A Simple Guide to Choose Yours
Photo: © Djuneid Dulloo / Valoa Films
Did you know that 75% of brides express regret for not hiring a wedding videographer? And 98% of brides who opted for a wedding filmmaker highly recommend the decision to their friends. Wedding films are more and more in demand, especially considering how videos and reels have become part of our ways to relive special memories.
There are many styles and forms of wedding photography and videography out there, and today we have this simple guide to help you discover the most common ones. Especially if you are choosing a picturesque location for your destination wedding and have already booked a photographer for your artistic photos, a wedding film can really make a difference: just think of the romantic chirping of crickets in Tuscany, or the gentle hum of the waves if you´re close to the beach.
Wedding Film Style #1: The Highlight Film
Length
Generally 3-5 minutes duration
Can include a vertical style Instagram or TikTok Reel
What is a wedding highlight film?
A wedding highlight film is a short video for your special day and it essentially captures and emphasizes the high points of the location and the day´s momentum. It typically would include a musical soundtrack as well as a title screen and transitions.
While this video is in traditional horizontal 16:9 video format, like most YouTube videos, a highlight film can also be edited in vertical 9:16 aspect ratio so that you can conveniently share it with your family and friends on social media platforms.
Can a highlight film be cinematic in style?
In researching wedding film styles, you may come across the term “ Cinematic Wedding Film” quite a bit, but what is it actually? In short, a cinematic video is a type of video production that aims to emulate the aesthetic qualities and storytelling techniques commonly found in cinema or film. It typically involves careful attention to visual composition, lighting, camera movements, editing, and sound design to create a visually striking and emotionally engaging piece of content.
So while the shorter highlight film is limited in scope, and slightly has a movie-trailer feel, it is definitely possible to include some of these cinematic elements in the edit, depending on the wedding filmmaker and editor you choose.
Takeaways
Plus Point #1 : A highlight film with cinematic details will beautifully compliment your wedding photos to preserve a real feel of that special day through the atmosphere and sounds of the location as well as the moving moments of emotion of those you care about.
Plus Point #2: The highlight video is ideal for sharing your beautiful destination wedding feeling to your friends on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, as it shows the main parts of the day in a really impressionistic and easy to watch way.
Minus point: It doesn't get too personal
If you want something that is going to be more personal and sophisticated, then choosing a wedding documentary film, our next style on the list, would be a more suited option.
Example of a Wedding Highlight Film shot by Valoa Films.
2. Wedding Film Style #2: The Documentary Wedding Film
Length
20-45 minutes duration
Depends on the number of days of your wedding
What is a Wedding Documentary Film?
Essentially, it is a longer capture version of your day told like a natural flowing story. It takes more time to establish the background and location of your destination, and can include the landscape and architecture filmed with a drone. Beyond breathtaking aerial views, the documentary allows time for focussing on the luxurious details that make up your day: the florals, custom bride dress, timeless jewellery.The emphasis is on authenticity and candid moments, aiming to document the wedding day as it truly happens, from the preparations, ceremony, reception and party. In a pure documentary form, the style would be natural, with very little to no background music. Aesthetically, the visual style tends to be more modern and simple, and less stylized compared to cinematic-style films, which leads to the next question.
What is the difference between Documentary-style vs Cinematic-style Wedding film?
With the documentary style film being more natural and candid in style, cinematic-style wedding films on the other hand take a more artistic and stylized approach to storytelling. The focus is on crafting a narrative that emphasizes emotion, mood, and atmosphere, often through creative editing and techniques. Think of dynamic camera movements, creative framing, and use of visual effects. Montages, slow motion footage , color grading, and atmospheric music are integral to the edit.
That sounds great, but is there a way to combine the best of both worlds?
Yes, indeed. This is precisely a style developed by our Berlin-based wedding filmmaker Djun at Valoa Films: combining the realism of the documentary style wedding film with the dramatic excitement and beauty of a cinematic wedding film. If you´re planning a destination wedding and dream of such a film, get in touch now and inquire to have access and watch these full-length private wedding films.
3. Wedding Film Style #3: The Love Story film
Length:
- Up to 1 hour
What is a Love Story Film?
The Love Story film is not such a common offering of most wedding filmmakers out there and we included it in the choices for a destination wedding film because it embodies bespoke luxury and may evoke profound emotional responses. As the name indicates, this exclusive film´s focal point is the distinct love story of the couple, leading to the grand celebration of their love: their wedding date.
The Love Story film is essentially a more custom-made and emotionally luxurious version of the cinematic-documentary film. The filmmaker collaborates with the couple, gathering information from forms, interviews and personal media archives to handcraft an audio-visual story that includes valuable and moving personal narratives of their love journey.
At Valoa Films, the Love Story Film is our high-end film option for those couples that do not want to compromise on memorizing their special connection, and embody their passion in a timeless masterpiece.
Some of the premium tailor-made features of the love film include:
Distinct animated film title intro design
Exquisite stylistic adaptations based on a Hollywood movie of choice
Fully customizable film soundtrack/music
Elevated Animation and Motion Graphics
Advanced Color Grading of the film to match a chosen cinema film look
If this sounds like an experience designed for you, contact us today to discover your signature wedding film style.
Photo: Documentary Wedding Photography © Djuneid Dulloo / ValoaFilms
Conclusion: How should I choose my wedding film style?
In conclusion, selecting the perfect wedding film style for your destination wedding, wedding or elopement is a crucial decision that can immortalize the beauty, emotion, and romance of your special date. Whether you opt for the impressionistic charm of a highlight film, the authentic storytelling of a documentary film, or the bespoke luxury of a love story film, each style offers an exclusive way to capture and cherish your memories.
At Valoa Films, we understand the importance of finding the perfect fit for your vision. That's why we offer you highly customizable wedding videography and film packages, which just like your custom bridal dress or suit, is tailored uniquely to you.
Djuneid is a documentary wedding photographer and videographer based in Berlin. He has photographed and filmed destination weddings in the alleys of Venice, the Swedish forests and the southern Italian countryside.