Winter may be the “off season” for weddings, but it’s also one of the most beautiful times of the year — particularly for wedding filmmakers. From the soft, blurry bokeh of the white holiday lights to the potential for a winter snowfall, this time of year is nothing if not magical.
The first wedding I ever filmed was actually a winter wedding; I went in expecting traffic delays and freezing cold bridesmaids, but each and every person in the wedding party was a champ (particularly the bride). They loved the snow and embraced the 30-degree temperatures, which made for one of my favorite wedding films of all. If you have a winter wedding to film this season, here are six things to help you make it your best film yet.
1. Include white holiday lights
Whether it’s the bride getting ready in her decorated home or the couple enjoying a kiss in front of a festive tree, holiday lights give you unmatched opportunities for beautiful bokeh (blurry) backgrounds. Prime lenses like the Sony Sonnar 55mm f1.8 lens offer the flexibility for extreme to slight bokeh; the wider your aperture, the more blurred your background will be.
2. Bring a blanket or warm drink for outdoor activities
One of the best parts of having a winter wedding is being outside, but at the same time, that whole winter element can make things pretty chilly. To show your bride some love — while ensuring she’s comfortable for photos — and bring along a blanket or hand warmers in case she or her bridesmaids need to warm up in between shots. Going above and beyond with client service is essential as a wedding filmmaker, and even better when it can help relax the bride for some perfect shots!
3. Get creative with your establishing shots
Sure, spring and summer weddings are easy to film with those budding flowers and beautiful beach scenes, but don’t let winter get in the way of your establishing shots. The white, powdered ground and falling snow can really set the scene for a true-to-the-day opening frame. Whether it’s a steady shot of snow falling over the venue or a more creative angle of a bird landing on a snow-covered pine tree — or, perhaps, a candid of the mother of the bride adjusting the stockings on the fireplace — you can have a lot of fun setting the scene at a winter wedding.
4. Expect epic dancing
Holiday music spans generations, so expect guests young and old to fill the dance floor. The first winter wedding I filmed had some pretty big partiers; the second “All I Want for Christmas is You” came on, the dance floor was flooded — which shouldn’t be surprising given the crowdsurfing later that night (also pretty great for video!).
I like to go handheld for my dancing footage because it gives me the freedom to run around, get in the middle of dancing circles and really capture perhaps the best part of the night in a raw, authentic way. To take your wedding footage up a notch, bring along a set of stationary lights so you can record a beautiful lens flare when shooting behind the subject with the light bouncing off of them.
5. Prepare for the elements
One thing’s for certain when it comes to winter weddings: the weather is extremely unpredictable. I always leave extra early to give myself more time (particularly if snow is on the radar), and bring along my snow boots and big winter jacket so I can comfortably capture all the footage I need. While you probably do this anyway, it’s vital that you also bring extra batteries and your chargers because the cold winter air can quickly zap your power. I keep a rotation of batteries charging just to get ahead of any issues.
6. Embrace the weather
As you’re filming your next winter wedding, look for scenes such as the bride catching a snowflake on her tongue or the moment you can see the groom’s breath in the cold air as he whispers “I love you” to the bride. These small but beautiful candids will undoubtedly give your couples butterflies when watching, which is the exact reaction any wedding filmmaker wants!
With beautiful lights and serene, snowy settings, winter weddings are the perfect time to showcase your creativity and skills as a filmmaker. That said, as any filmmaker knows, you can always, always improve. That’s why we created this quick-and-easy guide on how to make your final videos look even more professional. The better your films, the stronger your business, which is the perfect way to start the New Year!
Kelly + T.J. | Bear Brook Valley Wedding Film, New Jersey from Stephanie Vermillion Studio on Vimeo.
