Sometimes when you go and watch someone’s wedding film, it looks like a moment was really authentic even though, in reality, it was staged. I can use music, overlays, tonal sound effects, voice overs, composition, and multiple angles to make a moment feel more authentic then it actually was. This is cool, but my hope for you is that the things that you plan to do on your day are going to be a time when you are really caught up in the moment and truly being yourself.
I know sometimes it can be hard to do that when you have cameras pointing at you or the weight of the significance of the day on your shoulders, but it can be done.
Something will help you a ton is getting more comfortable with your videographer (which might be me) and your photographer. Get on calls with them, go to dinner, do an engagement session or a story session. Whatever you can do to eb around them more and in front of the camera more prior to the big day, the better. The reason for this is because I want you to be as comfortable as you can be and to fully trust your media team. This will make it so much easier for you to not feel the pressure of looking perfect all the time on camera and to know that we are there for you as a human first.
For any moment that you have planned, whether it is your mom helping you with your dress, a first look with your dad or you walking down the aisle to your partner. There will always be a thousand things going through your mind, but don’t let the thought of being behind or trying to impress or looking perfect be one of them. Obviously that is way harder said than done, but I’ll encourage you on your big day to remember this and any time we are setting up a moment to happen, we just want you to be in that fully. Don’t worry about anything else other than what is right in front of you.
This comes a lot more naturally to some than others, but if something happens on your day (good or bad) it is because that is how it is supposed to be. All I can do is encourage you to look past any little hiccups and to focus on what truly matters to you on your wedding day. Most people only get to be a bride and groom once, so the things you feel and the experience on the day of is impossible to go back and change. Doing the work ahead of time to prepare your heart and clear your mind of all the distractions is the best thing you can do.
From a practical standpoint, that might look like passing off certain responsibilities to other people. You don’t need anyone coming to you with questions about decorations or seating arrangements or floral designs. You just want to focus on having fun and enjoying your day.
I think it is super important to know that you can trust the industry professionals that you hired to do their jobs and create an environment for an unforgettable wedding day. It can be so hard to let go of that control when you have been planning everything for so long and you just want it to be perfect, but you will be so glad that you did.
It is hard to pinpoint exactly what each person needs to do to create authentic moments on their wedding day as each person is different. My best advice is to plan well, have a coordinator, get comfortable with your photo and video team, and be intentional about the things you choose to do on your big day.