Mastering the Wedding Day Timeline
Entry No. 7
Wedding videographer edition
A wedding day timeline is key information for all wedding vendors, including videographers.
Know it, respect it, and stay flexible.
Whether you’re a documentary wedding filmmaker, a Super 8 wedding videographer, or someone blending cinematic and candid moments, mastering the wedding day timeline is what turns good films into better ones.
Reconnect with Your Couple After Booking
After booking, schedule a follow-up call to review:
- Coverage expectations
- Creative ideas (intros, reels, cinematic moments)
- Whether the ceremony will be unplugged (phoneless)
Phones have and will block key moments. Yes, even the first kiss.
Quick tip:
If it’s not on the timeline, set the expectation with your couple that it won’t happen. With everything moving so fast, scheduled events often get canceled, making it really difficult to add new things.
Treat the Timeline as Your Roadmap
Review the wedding timeline:
- When you receive it
- One week before the wedding
- The night before the wedding
Quick tip: Write the full timeline with arrival times and key moments in your phone notes. Check things off as you go. Being prepared allows you to adapt when things change.
- 8:00am arrival
- 8:30am bride getting ready
- 9:30am first look
If you have a good memory try to memorize the timeline. Checking your wrist watch is faster than digging through your phone, and every second counts.
Prepare Your Gear the Night Before
Part of my pre-wedding ritual is testing every single piece of gear the night before, even if I used it the week prior. I shoot and upload the footage to my computer and confirm that everything is working properly.
My gear checklist:
- Super 8 camera
- Digital camera
- Tripod
- Batteries
- Backup camera
- Chargers
Flatlays Don’t Happen by Accident
Plan flatlays in advance:
- Bring styling props
- Check with the florist to see if there are extra flowers available.
- Confirm which details matter most to the couple
- Choose backgrounds that match the wedding color palette
Pay attention to invitation fonts. You can match them later in film titles for a cohesive edit.
Contact the Wedding Planner Early
Reach out to the planner or whoever controls the timeline as soon as possible.
Ask for:
- The full wedding day timeline
- Vendor contact information
- Updates as the day evolves
The earlier you’re involved, the smoother the wedding day will be.
Photo and Video Should Not Compete for Time
If the couple wants a planned video intro or outro, it needs dedicated time built into the timeline. If that isn’t possible, it’s better to skip it rather than rush it. Set expectations early to avoid stress on the wedding day.
Photography and videography require different energy:
- Photography captures still moments
- Video relies on uninterrupted motion
Check in with the photographer beforehand to see if they’re planning to shoot during the video portion. If yes, set clear expectations in a kind and respectful way.
- Stay behind the videographer’s camera
- Avoid directing the couple
- Do not use flash
Super 8 film can be ruined by interruptions. Be kind, but advocate for your work.
Super 8 Wedding Videography Requires Planning
Super 8 wedding videography demands extra care and communication.
- Each roll records about three minutes
- Each roll plus development costs $200+
- Most couples purchase one to three rolls
Every second matters. Planning is essential.
Communication Is the Secret to a Smooth Wedding Day
Introduce yourself early to:
- The wedding planner
- The photographer
- Other key vendors
Connect before the wedding day. Address concerns early. Compliment work you genuinely admire.
Strong vendor relationships lead to:
- Better collaboration
- Referrals
- Preferred vendor lists
The goal is always the same. Serve the couple well.
Documentary Wedding Filmmakers: Be Ready
If you film in a documentary style:
- Prepare thoughtful questions
- Keep moments natural, but intentional
My Setup During Vows:
- Two stationary cameras on the couple, positioned on the outer sides of the aisle. Your photographer friend will thank you for not keeping the camera in the center aisle. Having two safety angles for video and audio will be something you are very glad you did.
- Super 8, digital camera, and my iPhone strapped to my body so I can easily alternate between cameras and angles.
This allows seamless coverage of vows, reactions, rings, and the first kiss.
Final Thoughts and Reception Coverage
- Move with the couple during the first dance, while still giving them space. This is not a tripod moment.
- Capture bouquet details before the throw. Include bridesmaids bouquets if they have them.
- Shoot cake cutting on both Super 8 and digital.
- Don’t forget to tag vendors when sharing your work.
A successful wedding film balances storytelling with presence. Keep it light, have fun, and communicate clearly.
Master the wedding day timeline, and the entire day will flow more smoothly for you, your vendors, and most importantly, your couple.
