How will you look back on your wedding? Because when the memories start to fade, you’ll be wishing for ways to reflect, relive and rejoice in your day and the many loves it contained.
The wedding album is, of course, a key memento to treasure and leaf through for years to come. But rather than relying on the album as the sole family heirloom and keepsake of your day, an increasing number of couples are embracing the trend toward new and multiple ways of recording their wedding. You’ll be able to listen to, look at and touch precious remnants and moments of one of the most love-filled days of your life.
From artist’s impressions such as landscape paintings, venue illustrations and guest portraits to audio guest books and the most spectacular forms of photography and videography, here’s our lowdown on the latest ways to record and materialise your matrimonials...
Photography
The photo album remains the seminal way to record weddings, to capture the essence and allow you to look back at your day for the rest of your lives together. Whether you favour a traditional set of images or are open to the possibility of experimental and innovative forms of photography, the final images of your love will remain the primary portal to your memories.
Your choice of photographer may have no bearing on the day, for example – you simply love a particular style; or you might want to pick someone with experience of shooting at your venue or your type of wedding, such as those specialising in elopements or outdoor weddings.
The best way to decide is to match your vision with theirs – and to discuss your requirements and their ability to achieve them. From there, fine-tune the pragmatics and aesthetics to tailor a package that will best represent you and your day, for an album you’ll excitedly turn to time and time again.
Trends-wise, the latest host of techniques and forms are going back to traditional methods whilst ensuring weddings are captured in the most creative, unique and beautiful of ways. Photographer Thomas Frost (thomasfrostphotography.com) lists these as a “film photography revival”, whereby film is incorporated into the images for a “nostalgic feel and a romantic, organic quality that digital sometimes can’t replicate.” Along with candid, unposed shots and post-wedding photo shoots (which could include outdoor adventures during micro/elopement weddings or in the weeks following the event), Tom is a fan of flash photography and motion blur.
“I’m loving the use of creative flash techniques paired with intentional motion blur to add a sense of movement and energy to the photos. It brings out the fun, spontaneous moments of the day,” he enthuses. “Also – the legal use of a drone,” continues Tom, who is a fully qualified and insured drone pilot. “Drones give such a great perspective of the location or venue, especially in Cornwall where the land and sea meet.”
Special effects are another consideration. “Smoke bombs are great for adding colour and drama,” he says. “Back-lit rain or bubble spray is perfect for when it gets dark – and makes the most of the rain if it is falling!” Tom offers hybrid services including photography and videography, along with content shooting, which he describes as “a very useful extra that couples like. They can have the raw footage, or we can make a reel or edit into longer form.”
“I am also adding hybrid photography, where I film a little bit while photographing, so they also get a motion picture of the day, in the same style as my photos,” says photographer Verity Westcott (veritywestcott.com) who expertly blends the use of Polaroids and 35mm photography with all-day photography, “which is a really cool way of getting different styles of images on your wedding day”.
Thomas Frost Photography
Content creation
Gathering photos and videos from your day and transforming them into Insta-ready uploads, content creation involves hiring or assigning someone to produce social media that you can share with both your close and wider circles soon after the wedding.
Shooting on a smartphone, the result is a collection of instant, short-form content: highlight reels, stories and galleries that showcase the events of the day for anyone wanting to see quick and (largely) unedited results.
“Content creators are the massive thing at the moment,” says Verity, who offers it as an add-on to her photography and videography services and shoots on iPhone and DJI 3. “If you're considering this, I would suggest speaking to your photographer about it first, she continues. "A lot of us offer this anyway, so we can include it rather than having another person there with a camera.”
Verity Westcott Photography
Audio and alternative guest books
For a fun and alternative take on traditional written guest books, audio versions are emerging as another W-day must-have for couples keen for something ‘more.’
In short, guests speak into a phone to record their message to you, after which the compilation will provide a keepsake that can be digital or physical (a CD, USB drive or even a vinyl record). Alternatively, video guest books work in a similar way as audio, via a video kiosk that records your guests’ messages, which are then edited into a compilation film.
You might also opt for a written or physical guest book, and if you’re looking for a creative and idiosyncratic version in keeping with your theme and personalities, there are plenty of ideas. These include the use of Polaroid cameras and photo booths, fingerprint trees, wall art, pebbles, a wishing tree, puzzles and games such as Jenga, message in a bottle, photo books, vintage postcards, a coffee table book and vintage typewriter. Repurposing or reusing old, treasured or everyday items that you can display in your marital home is another idea, from your surfboard or snowboard to your guitar, canoe, paddleboard, globe, table, shelf, piece of art or photo frame. And if you don’t fancy any kind of guestbook, commission an artist to create a ‘live’ physical keepsake of your day such as a venue illustration, landscape painting or portrait sketches.
Thomas Frost Photography
Videography & film
Wedding films have come a long way over the years, with a plethora of options available to couples today, from drone footage to music videos. “A well-made wedding video can encapsulate the essence of the event, from vows and speeches to laughter, reactions and the overall atmosphere,” says Sam Strachan from Timeless Weddings (timelessweddings.co.uk).
“Choosing the right style depends on your personality as a couple, your wedding theme and the type of memory you want to create from your special day,” he continues, before describing the range that videographers can shoot and edit into a bespoke film.
Along with short-form videos (five to 10 minutes long) that are ideal for sharing online, Sam cites cinematic storytelling as a popular trend. “This mimics the look and feel of a movie with dramatic angles, slow motion and emotional music for a final product that feels polished and artistic,” he explains. Then there's documentary footage: “this is capturing the day in a raw, real-time format, recording everything as it happens without staging or heavy editing, focusing on authenticity”.
For a more classic format, videographers can create a traditional film in chronological order or make it a more personal and narrative-driven piece with the inclusion of interviews and voiceovers. If it’s more of a retro vibe you’re after, then shooting (such as with old film cameras) and editing techniques can be employed to produce a nostalgic video “to give the footage a grainy, timeless feel, evoking memories of earlier decades”.
For a more modern film, you could opt for a music video approach, which “incorporates candid and staged shots, edited to the rhythm of the song”, explains Sam. “It often emphasises fun and upbeat moments from the day.”
However you wish to replay your day, trust the person recording it. “Choose a photographer or videographer who takes the time to understand your unique love story,” implores Tom. “Each couple’s journey is different, and your wedding visuals should reflect that. Allow them creative freedom – when couples are relaxed and trust the professionals, it’s easier to capture authentic moments.”
Main image Thomas Frost Photography
words Hannah May
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