Exploring the Different Types of Wedding Videos: Which One is Right for You?

Nathan Grant • March 11, 2025

Your wedding day is one of the most important moments of your life, and capturing it on film ensures that you can relive the magic for years to come. With so many types of wedding videos available, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect style for your celebration. Whether you're looking for something cinematic, documentary-style, or personalized, there's a wedding video format to fit your unique style. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types of wedding videos to help you decide which one is right for you.

A bride and groom are celebrating their wedding with their wedding party.

1. Cinematic Wedding Video

If you're looking for something that feels like a movie, a cinematic wedding video is a perfect choice. This style emphasizes storytelling and often includes cinematic techniques such as dramatic lighting, slow-motion shots, and artistic framing. A cinematic wedding video often looks and feels like a short film, with a mix of carefully planned shots and a well-paced narrative. These videos tend to focus heavily on the emotions and moments of the day, using beautiful visuals and an inspiring soundtrack to create an unforgettable experience.



Best for: Couples who want a dramatic and emotional retelling of their wedding day, with a focus on beautiful visuals and high production value.


2. Documentary Wedding Video

A documentary-style wedding video is all about capturing the day as it naturally unfolds, providing an authentic and raw look at your wedding. This type of video includes real-time footage of the ceremony, reception, and candid moments, with minimal interference from the videographer. Documentary wedding videos are often longer than cinematic ones, as they aim to capture the entire day without edits or scripted scenes. This format allows couples to experience their wedding day exactly as it happened, including all the small moments that might otherwise be missed.


Best for: Couples who want a genuine, unfiltered memory of their wedding day, capturing both the big moments and the smaller, intimate interactions.


3. Highlight Reel

A wedding highlight reel is a shorter, edited version of your wedding video that focuses on the best and most important moments of the day. These videos are typically between 3 to 5 minutes long and often include a mix of cinematic shots and documentary-style footage. The highlight reel is accompanied by a carefully chosen soundtrack that matches the tone of the video, making it a perfect option for sharing on social media or with family and friends. It’s a great way to relive the most memorable moments without committing to a full-length video.


Best for: Couples who want a quick, shareable video that captures the essence of their wedding day in a condensed format.


4. Love Story Video

A love story video focuses on the journey of the couple before the wedding. This video typically includes interviews with the couple, where they share their story and reflect on their relationship, how they met, and what the wedding means to them. The video might also include clips from the proposal or engagement shoot. The love story is often shot in a more relaxed and intimate setting, with the couple telling their story in their own words. It’s a wonderful way to personalize your wedding video and add a personal touch.


Best for: Couples who want to include the story of their relationship and express their emotions in a deeper way.


5. Same-Day Edit

For couples who want to experience their wedding video before the big day is even over, a same-day edit is an excellent option. This video is edited and shown at the reception, often within hours of the ceremony. It’s a highlight reel of the day, featuring some of the best moments from the ceremony and pre-wedding events, set to music. A same-day edit is a great way to share the excitement with your guests while the day is still fresh in everyone's mind.


Best for: Couples who love the idea of sharing a sneak peek of their wedding video with guests during the reception.


6. Traditional Wedding Video

The traditional wedding video typically includes footage of the entire ceremony and the key moments of the reception, such as speeches, first dances, and cake cutting. This format tends to be less cinematic and more straightforward, with the videographer capturing the day as it happens without much editing or flair. It's an excellent choice for couples who prefer a classic and timeless video that focuses on the event itself rather than on artistic editing.


Best for: Couples who want a simple, no-frills video that covers all the major moments without too much extra flair.


7. Drone Wedding Video

If you want a wedding video with breathtaking aerial views, a drone wedding video can add a unique perspective to your collection. Using drone technology, your videographer can capture sweeping shots of your wedding venue and surrounding scenery from the sky. Drone footage is particularly stunning for outdoor weddings, offering a bird's-eye view of your ceremony or reception site. It’s a great way to add a cinematic touch and a sense of grandeur to your wedding video.


Best for: Couples hosting an outdoor wedding or looking for dramatic aerial footage to enhance the visual appeal of their video.


8. Raw Footage

Some couples opt for receiving raw footage of their wedding day. This means that the videographer provides all the unedited, untouched footage from the event, which may include every moment from the ceremony to the reception. While it’s not edited into a polished video, this option allows couples to have all of the moments on file, giving them the freedom to edit and relive the wedding however they wish.


Best for: Couples who want every single shot from the day and are willing to do their own editing or hire someone to do it.


Conclusion

Choosing the right wedding video style depends on your preferences, your wedding vibe, and the kind of memory you want to preserve. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of a cinematic video or the authenticity of a documentary-style film, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to capturing the joy and emotions of your big day. Discuss your options with your videographer to ensure your wedding video reflects your personality and style, and most importantly, helps you cherish the memories for years to come.


Check out our portfolio: https://www.alphascapestudios.com/weddings

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