Going out to dinner. Seeing a movie at the theater. Filming a wedding. All things you can do by yourself despite what others might say. It can be challenging yet rewarding to be reliant on only yourself when filming a wedding. You learn something new after each wedding you film and can execute better than the previous one. Whether you are just starting out trying to get your first wedding gig, had an assistant drop out last minute, or just want complete creative control, operating as a solo wedding videographer is certainly manageable.
There will always be instances when you must adapt as a solo videographer, and this article will give you the tools to do so.
What to Do Before the Wedding Day
Get to Know The Players
You’ll likely be talking to the couple before even being booked. Therefore, you should get to know them and understand their style or vision for their wedding video. I like to ask them for a list of the wedding parties and family members, so you know who to get plenty of footage of.
Be sure to ask the couple how the ceremony will play out and ask who will be officiating the ceremony. Ask the officiator how close you can get to the podium and if any microphones will be used. Expect the opposite to happen and come prepared with a solution. I try to generally stay out of sight when possible.
Get to Know The Venue
Wouldn’t it be nice if a couple got married on a sound stage? I always suggest it but, so far, no takers. Every venue is different and presents different challenges. If you can’t visit the venue before the wedding day then look up pictures online. Watch other wedding videos from that venue.
Track the sun if you’re shooting a daytime wedding. You’ll want to understand the lighting offered and brainstorm what you should supply. There will be surprises when you get there, so try to eliminate as many of them as you can before they happen.
Shot List for a Solo Wedding Videographer
Once you know the wedding party and venue, you can start planning your shot list. Work with the photographer to know when they are scheduling some of these shots since you’ll likely piggyback off them.
Establishing Shot of the Venue
The couple paid a lot for the venue and flowers that some people may not even notice. This is your chance to get creative and shoot a mini advertisement for the venue. It provides a useful B-roll when editing and the venue may recommend you to future couples.
Getting Ready
I like to get candid shots of the wedding parties either hanging out or getting dressed. It shows a glimpse of humanity before an otherwise choreographed day.
Wedding Dress and Rings
Like the venue, get plenty of beauty shots of the wedding dress hung up and on the bride. I always get these in 120fps with plenty of close-up detail shots. It’s definitely a fun place to play around cinematically between the dress details and close-up shots of the wedding rings. Place the rings near a window — or any natural light — to see if you can create a glint.
Groom’s Suit
Somebody close to the groom will typically put the finishing touches on the groom whether that’s putting on his jacket or fixing his tie. Again, I’ll shoot this at 120fps and focus on the close-up action. Consider adding in SFX for an ASMR feel or get shots of their faces. Remember that you’re still a storyteller.
First Look
The photographer will likely have this scheduled, and you can work with them to find your angles. I’ll set up my second camera wide for a two-shot while avoiding the photographer’s field of view. My primary camera will be on facial reactions. Shooting in 4k allows me the flexibility to create two shots from one. If I keep it wide to include both faces, I can always punch in on one face to create the illusion of another camera.
Bridal Parties
It’s okay to keep these as portrait-style shots. I like to keep every person in the wedding parties and families included in the final edit. This would be the instance where I may consider a longer lens (75 mm-300 mm) to stay out of the photographer’s way and create nice bokeh effects.
Bride Walking Down the Aisle
You can usually get nice tracking shots of the bride. This may be the only time you can position yourself near (or on) the altar while everybody is distracted. Get in, get your shot, and get out.
Groom Waiting for Bride
If your second camera isn’t on the groom, be sure to get a shot of him from where you are. Bonus points if you capture him crying.
Dances and Speeches
This is where extra batteries and memory cards come in handy. I’ll replace both before the reception starts so I’m not worried about swapping them mid-way through.
Cutting the Cake
Be sure to capture the details in the cake before it’s sliced open. As they cut into it, this shot can be playful and candid.
Party!
This is where I’d feel comfortable throwing on the portable light, especially if the dance floor is dimly lit. By now, you’ll also be so familiar with the DJI Ronin that it will feel like another appendage. Make sure you have your dancing shoes on and glide across the dance floor. Show people having a good time. Get inside the dance circles. Get as much footage of the bride and groom as you can here.
Best Gear for a Solo Wedding Videographer
Now that you know all about the venue, lighting, and general creative vision of your client, you can do an audit of all the gear you’ll need to rent.
Audio Gear
Filming solo means you can’t be two in places at once. Help yourself by getting many audio channels. I put a Rode mic on my camera body for reliable reference audio that I have used in the final edits before.
Track down the DJ or venue manager to locate where their sound system is and ask if you can use a master output. I bring a 6’ XLR cable and my DR60 Tascam to capture the master output. This means I’ll have crystal clear audio from anybody using a microphone, or whichever digital music is played. I’ll also set my Tascam to record the same track 16dB quieter in case there is any peaking. This is usually the case when everybody erupts in applause.
Consider using a long shotgun mic connected to another Tascam for when the sound system inevitably fails you. You can set this up far and out of sight.
Here’s a tip I wish I knew from Day One: Get an omnidirectional boundary mic. It will require another Tascam to plug into, but you’ll be able to plant it somewhere near the action without anybody seeing it. You can hide it in the flowers near the couple, on the podium if the officiator has something in front of them, or even hide it in the grass near the feet of grandma in the front row.
I know I suggested bringing three separate systems to record to, but audio is very unforgiving and you’ll want peace of mind. You could also get wireless transmitters if you then get a Tascam with more XLR inputs, like the DR-70D.
Camera Gear
Get the Sony a7r IV. I can’t say enough good things about this camera. It’s light, small, intuitive, shoots 4k up to 60fps, and has facial tracking AF. I can also put on my 24-70mm lens while being able to roughly balance it all on my DJI Ronin.
I’ll use 2x of these camera bodies and will generally keep the 24-70mm on one of them as my workhorse. My other body will have a prime lens, like the 35mm or 50mm. I’ll treat the second camera as my safety/witness camera propped up on a tripod. I try to hide it somewhere to get wide shots that allow me coverage in editing, especially if I’m running around closer to the action.
Personally, I have never brought lights to a wedding because I don’t want to interrupt the venue’s look. I also know the Sony a7r IV can open up to 32000 ISO in case of light emergencies. Otherwise, I’ve kept my eye on the Lume Cube Go as a camera light, especially since I can control the color temperature to match the space I’m in.
I also want to emphasize the importance of certain accessories that have helped me as a solo wedding videographer. When I put my safety camera on the iKan camera slider, I can quickly make subtle changes to my angles. It can even get some cinematic movement if I pop back to man the camera.
We know you’ll come with fully charged batteries, but weddings can be long days. Always keep an extra fully charged battery on your person and charge everything else. Bring a portable battery charger and consider adding it to your camera or audio system for easy access.
Tips for a Solo Wedding Videographer
Capture Enough Variety
You know you’re filming this wedding by yourself, but nobody else needs to know that. Keep your future editor self in mind. Make sure you give yourself the coverage of as many camera angles, audio sources, and dynamic movements as you can.
Be Discrete
Yes, you are an artist. Yes, you are a technician. But today, you are the body that comes with the camera. Be nimble. Do not draw attention to yourself because it’s not your big day — it’s the bride and groom’s.
Stay Prepared
Don’t forget your ABCs: Always Be Charging. Extra batteries should be ready to go when you need them.
If you’re hired for the day — work for the day. You never know when something memorable can spontaneously happen. Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t forget to let inspiration strike.
Here’s an example of a wedding video filmed solo:
Final Thoughts
The hardest thing to do as a solo wedding videographer is to be everywhere at once. Since weddings (typically) only happen once in a person’s life, do everything you can to capture it. You’ll be moving fast and working hard. Be sure to remind yourself that all your effort will be put into something that this couple could be watching 40 years from now when they want to relive the happiest day of their lives.
