10 Top Wedding Videography Tips from a Story-Driven Videographer | Alyssa Kaufman Films

Your wedding day is filled with excitement, emotion, and hundreds of small moments that pass before you even realize they’re happening. As a story-driven wedding videographer based in Philadelphia and New Jersey, I’ve had the privilege of documenting countless weddings over the years. Through that experience, I’ve learned the top wedding videography tips that will help couples enjoy their day while also ensuring their wedding photos and wedding film feel natural, emotional, and timeless.

These are the top 10 wedding day tips I share with couples again and again, rooted in real wedding days and real moments.

1. Get Your Make-Up Done Early

Many brides assume they should be the last to get their makeup done so it looks “fresh” for photos and video. In reality, going earlier gives you time to breathe, relax, and actually enjoy your morning. One of my top wedding videography tips is to start early—you’ll have plenty of opportunities for touch-ups, and beginning early helps your wedding photographer and videographer capture calm, natural moments instead of rushed ones.

2. Do a First Look

A lot of couples think they want that “epic” moment when the groom sees you walk down the aisle and cries at the very sight of you — but the truth is, that moment itself is already epic. Doing a first look gives you a private, emotional moment together before the whirlwind of the day begins, and it also allows for more portraits and cinematic shots without cutting into cocktail hour. I cover all of this in detail in my blog about why you need a first look.

3. Build a Bond with Your Videographer and Photographer - top wedding videography tips

Your photographer and videographer are there to document your story, not just show up and press record. The more comfortable you feel with us, the more authentic your wedding photos and wedding film will be. Aside from your partner, you’ll likely spend more time with your photo and video team than anyone else on your wedding day. Trust and connection make a huge difference in how natural and emotional everything feels.

4. Hire a Videographer

I’ll admit I’m a little biased, but hiring a wedding videographer is one of the most important decisions you can make. Photos capture how your wedding looked, but video captures how it felt—the laughter, the tears, and the little details you might not even notice in the moment.

One of the most powerful aspects of a story-driven wedding film is its ability to preserve the people who matter most. Loved ones won’t always be around, and having footage of them—the sound of their voices, their expressions, the way they celebrated with you—is priceless. Many couples tell me they are incredibly grateful years later for having these moments captured, moments they can watch, hear, and relive whenever they want. A wedding film doesn’t just document your day; it lets you experience the love and connection in it over and over again, long after the last dance has ended.

5. Consider an Unplugged Ceremony

Encouraging guests to put their phones away allows everyone to be present and engaged in the moment. It also gives your wedding photographer and videographer clear views without distractions, resulting in cleaner visuals and more emotional coverage of your ceremony.

6. Let Your Photographer Do Their Thing

If your photographer or videographer asks you to pause, shift slightly, or step into better light, it’s because they see something special unfolding. Trusting your vendors allows them to do what they do best and ensures your wedding photos and film reflect the day in the most beautiful and natural way possible.

7. Make Sure You Eat

It sounds simple, but it’s easy to forget. Eating keeps your energy up, your mood steady, and helps you stay present. When you feel good, it shows on camera. Happy, relaxed couples always translate into better photos and a more joyful wedding film.

8. You Don’t Have to Greet Everyone Before Dancing

It’s okay to let go of the pressure to talk to every guest before you step onto the dance floor. Your guests understand, and this often leads to some of the most fun, genuine moments of the night being captured naturally.

9. Add Extra Time to Every Item on Your Timeline

Very few wedding days run exactly on schedule. Build buffer time into hair and makeup, portraits, and travel. A relaxed timeline keeps the day feeling calm and allows your wedding photographer and videographer to document moments as they unfold instead of rushing through them.

10. Don’t Stress Over Perfection

No wedding day is perfect, and that’s part of what makes it memorable. Small imperfections often become the moments couples laugh about years later. Your guests aren’t judging, and your story matters far more than everything going exactly as planned.

Final Thoughts

The best weddings aren’t about perfection. They’re about connection, presence, and emotion. When you trust your vendors, give yourself grace, and focus on what truly matters, your wedding film and photos become more than documentation. They become a way to relive the day, the people, and the feelings that made it unforgettable.