Lately there has been a massive shift away from overly posed weddings to more raw and real. A handful of posed shots may be great for walls and making relatives happy, but what do you truly want to look back on in 20 years? A day of modeling or a celebration with all your favorite people?

While hiring a photographer and videographer who specialize in documentary is a great start, there are things you can do to truly set them up for success. Not all weddings are structured to showcase well by documentary style. But if you’re passionate about capturing your day in a raw and emotional way, a few simple shifts can make a world of difference.

1. Planner or coordinator

A lot of people see hiring a planner as an unnecessary expense or someone whose primary job is to make the wedding aesthetic. As chronic DIY people, we understand. However, the more weddings we capture, the more value we see in hiring a trusted planner! Planners are incredibly invaluable when it comes to creating a timeline for your day. The last thing you want on your day is to feel rushed and stressed! As much as you research and work hard on a timeline, a good planner can go above and beyond to create one that is realistic and allows space to overcome unknown and unexpected to keep the day flowing. They account for everything, and know how to give the photographer and videographer time to set up equipment; exactly what is needed to help them capture your day as it unfolds.

2. Venue

While the venue itself isn’t as important in determining documentary success, trying to fit in too many location changes can be challenging. When your photo/video team travel to multiple locations for getting ready, ceremony, reception, and sometimes a forth for additional photos, you lose a lot of moments and connection as the driving and set-up is time consuming. Instead, opt for an all-in-one location or, if a church ceremony is a must, you may want to consider additional coverage and be mindful of travel times between sites. In a multi-site situation, a planner or coordinator is even more crucial to keep your day on track (and stress level to a minimum.)

3. Dress

Yes, you want something you feel beautiful in. Yet there is another factor when choosing “the one” that shouldn’t go overlooked. Ask yourself “can I move freely”? Trust us, it’s important. We have seen far too many brides struggle with uncomfortably stiff dresses they can’t wait to get out of. It doesn’t add to your day being carefree and enjoyable when you can’t move in your dress!

4. Vows

Personal vows are an incredibly meaningful part of any wedding day. They offer a chance for couples to express their deepest feelings, promises, and commitments to one another in their own words. These vows not only add depth to your ceremony but are also pivotal in a documentary-style wedding film.

• Genuine Emotions:
  When couples speak from the heart, their vows reflect raw, unfiltered emotions. This is a perfect opportunity to capture the true essence of your relationship, which will resonate deeply in your wedding film. The power of heartfelt vows—whether they’re funny, sentimental, or deeply moving—will stand the test of time as you revisit them years down the road.
• A Unique Story Element:
  Personal vows allow you to tell your unique love story. They highlight how you met, what you’ve overcome together, and what your future holds. These vows offer more than the traditional “I do” and add a layer of personalization that makes your documentary film feel even more intimate and genuine.
• The Emotional Impact:
  The moment when vows are exchanged is often filled with emotion. The sincerity in your words, the tears or laughter, and the look in your partner’s eyes—all of these details are powerful and make for a compelling part of the story. Having this captured authentically ensures that your wedding film isn’t just a sequence of events but an emotional journey.
• A Timeless Keepsake:
  Personal vows serve as a beautiful keepsake in their own right, but in a documentary-style film, they become a permanent reminder of your promises. It’s a moment to reflect on in the years to come, and every time you watch the film, you’re reminded of the depth of your commitment to one another.

5. First Look

Before we got into weddings, we were traditionalists, believing the best emotion was the isle being the “first look”. However, our perspective has drastically shifted.

A first look is more than just a photo opportunity—it’s a chance for the couple to connect before the ceremony begins, to soak in the significance of the moment, and to experience the excitement of the day together. It’s a raw, authentic moment that enriches your wedding documentary, adding emotional depth and a personal touch that you’ll cherish forever. Whether it’s the tears, the laughter, or the overwhelming joy, a first look captures the essence of your love and the start of your new chapter. In most cases, the emotion of the isle walk is even heightened by the moments shared together before the ceremony.

Private and Intimate Moment:
The first look is a moment for just the couple, allowing for a quiet exchange of emotion before the whirlwind of the day takes over. It’s an opportunity to connect, share a private moment of excitement and nervousness, and truly take in the reality of what’s about to happen. Capturing these genuine emotions—whether it’s a tear, a laugh, or a soft whisper—will bring your wedding film a level of intimacy that’s often lost in the hustle and bustle of the ceremony.

Relieving Pre-Ceremony Nerves:
For many couples, seeing each other for the first time in a more relaxed setting helps alleviate the nerves that might otherwise accompany walking down the aisle. This calm moment gives the couple a chance to feel grounded and centered before the formalities begin. It makes the day feel less rushed and more personal, setting the stage for true documenting of emotion.

More Time for Storytelling:
After a first look, you can often take the time to do your couple’s portraits and relaxed photos before the ceremony. This not only frees up more time later in the day for candid, documentary-style moments but also means your photographer and videographer can focus on storytelling during the ceremony and reception rather than staging more formal shots. The first look adds balance to the day, allowing for more natural storytelling in your wedding film.

6. Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour is often one of the most relaxed, enjoyable parts of a wedding day. It’s the time when the formalities of the ceremony are behind you, but the excitement of the reception is just beginning. This is also a key moment in your wedding documentary, offering a chance for candid interactions, heartfelt conversations, and a deeper connection with your guests.

Joining your guests at cocktail hour is more than just a chance to sip a drink and enjoy some appetizers—it’s a moment of connection, laughter, and candid joy. In a wedding documentary, this part of the day adds authenticity and warmth, bringing your loved ones’ voices and interactions into the story of your wedding. These unposed moments offer a beautiful, raw glimpse into the celebration and add a personal touch that makes your wedding film truly memorable.

7. Dance

Another perk of joining guests during cocktail hour is it frees up time to enjoy open dance. When this is the only time for guests to interact with you, you end up feeling spread thin and miss out on the chance to let loose and celebrate.

The energy at the open dance can be infectious. The music, the laughter, the excitement—it all comes together to create an atmosphere that’s impossible to replicate in any other moment of the day. Capturing this energy in a wedding documentary allows you to relive the sense of excitement and joy every time you watch your film or see your pictures, bringing you back to the heart of the celebration.

8. Multi-day

Consider having additional content with your videographer and photographer prior to your big day. This serves multiple levels of value to your love story. It provides you with a chance to hang out prior to the wedding so you feel more comfortable being authentic around your vendors. It also is a way to tell your story on a deeper level, creating more dimensional narration that is unique to the two of you. Below are a few examples of opportunities to connect before the wedding.

• The rehearsal dinner is a chance to capture additional moments with friends and family. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere, and an opportunity for authentic interactions and personal interviews that are truly a treasure to look back on.

• Engagement sessions are the perfect time for you to be yourselves together. To just relax and do something you enjoy…a quality date that truly adds to capturing your love story.

• Multi-day celebrations are a fantastic tradition held by cultures around the world. Weddings are truly a time to join with family and friends and shouldn’t feel rushed. More time, more relaxed, more emotions shared… documentary in it’s finest form.

A documentary-worthy wedding is not just a collection of images, but a true narrative that showcases your unique love story. From the candid moments to the heartfelt speeches, every part of your day deserves to be captured in its most authentic form. By focusing on natural moments, working with the right professionals, and letting your story unfold organically, you’ll create wedding memories that stand the test of time.

Remember, this isn’t just about a day—it’s about telling the story of your love, in the most beautiful, genuine way possible.