Wedding Videography Styles Explained: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Big Day

Capture Your Day, Your Way—with the Right Video Style

Choosing the right videography style is one of the most important (yet often overlooked) parts of planning your wedding. While every wedding film tells a love story, how that story is told depends on the videography style you choose.

Do you want a cinematic wedding video that feels like a movie trailer? A raw and emotional documentary wedding videography approach? Or something in between?

In this guide, we break down the most popular Connecticut wedding video styles, how they differ, and how to find the perfect fit for your vision and personality.

1. Cinematic Wedding Videography

Think: movie trailer meets romantic film

What It Looks Like:

• Slow-motion shots, dramatic lighting, aerial footage
• Carefully selected music and emotional storytelling
• Wide scenic landscapes and tight, intimate close-ups
• May include voiceovers from vows, speeches, or letters

This style is highly polished and emotionally rich, turning your wedding into a visual experience that feels larger than life.

Ideal For:

• Couples who love movies, trailers, and storytelling
• Luxury or destination weddings in scenic locations (like those at Eolia Mansion)
• Anyone who wants their wedding to feel like a romantic film

📍 Local Note: Cinematic videography is especially stunning at venues with expansive views like Saltwater Farm Vineyard or Wadsworth Mansion.

2. Documentary Wedding Videography

Think: behind-the-scenes meets real-time storytelling

What It Looks Like:

• Captures the day in chronological order
• Focuses on real moments as they happen—no scripting or posing
• Raw audio from the ceremony, toasts, and candid moments
• Often longer than cinematic edits, sometimes including full ceremony and speeches

This style is about authenticity. The goal is to preserve how your day really unfolded, from laughter to tears.

Ideal For:

• Couples who want to remember every part of the day
• Intimate or traditional weddings
• People who value substance over flash

📍 Pro Tip: Ask if the videographer offers both full documentary edits and shorter highlight versions, so you get the best of both worlds.

3. Storytelling/Editorial Style

What It Looks Like:

• A blend of cinematic visuals and documentary moments
• Often includes voiceover narration or audio snippets from interviews
• Custom music choices based on your vibe and preferences
• Creative transitions and intentional pacing

This hybrid style offers a balanced, artistic version of your wedding day. It’s ideal if you want emotion, beauty, and authenticity all in one.

Ideal For:

• Couples who want both structure and creativity
• Weddings that include unique traditions or cultural moments
• Multi-day events or elopements that span several locations

📍 Connecticut Fit: Great for events held at locations like The Lace Factory or Bill Miller’s Castle, which offer both character and visual storytelling elements.

4. Traditional Wedding Videography

Think: straightforward, clean, timeless

What It Looks Like:

• Minimal editing or effects
• Captures the key moments: ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, toasts
• Longer-form delivery (often an hour or more)
• May include DVD or USB delivery with chapters

This is the classic, old-school approach that prioritizes documentation over artistry.

Ideal For:

• Couples with a tight budget or short guest list
• Families who prefer simplicity and full-length coverage
• Church weddings or traditional cultural ceremonies

📍 Local Tip: Ask videographers if they can combine this with a cinematic recap so you have a short version to share on social media.

5. Music-Driven Highlight Reels

Think: your wedding day in 3–7 minutes, perfectly synced to a soundtrack

What It Looks Like:

• Fast-paced, emotion-packed highlight films
• Often shared on social media or used as teaser content
• Syncs visuals to music beats for rhythm and energy
• May not include natural audio (like vows or speeches)

These short films are perfect for sharing and reliving the vibe of your day without watching a full-length feature.

Ideal For:

• Social-media-savvy couples
• Elopements or destination weddings
• Add-ons to longer films or keepsakes

📍 Venue Match: Perfect for weddings at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills or The Society Room of Hartford, where the energy of the day and dancing shine on camera.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Video Style for You

When choosing a style, consider:

• What types of video you enjoy watching
• Your wedding venue and its visual elements
• Whether you want natural audio included (vows, speeches)
• Your personality—cinematic styles require more direction, while documentary styles are more hands-off

Pro Tip: Ask your videographer if they offer multiple styles or custom edits so you don’t have to choose just one.

Can You Mix Styles?

Yes—and many videographers do just that. A common combo includes:

• A cinematic 5–7 minute highlight film
• A full documentary edit of the ceremony and speeches
• A teaser reel for Instagram or TikTok

This allows you to enjoy your video in multiple formats and styles—one for emotional moments, one for memories, and one for sharing.

Questions to Ask Your Videographer About Style

• Can we see examples of your different video styles?
• Do you offer multiple edits of the same wedding?
• What’s your creative process when deciding how to edit our film?
• Can we request changes to music, pacing, or style after delivery?
• Do you include natural sound, like vows or speeches, in your edits?

These questions help ensure your videographer’s style matches your expectations and vision.

Final Thoughts: Your Story, Your Style

Choosing your wedding video style isn’t just about visuals—it’s about how you want to remember your day for the rest of your life. Whether you're dreaming of a cinematic wedding video, a documentary-style edit, or a blend of both, there’s a style that fits you perfectly.

• 📅 Getting married in Connecticut or New England? At Legend Photo & Film, we offer personalized videography styles tailored to your story, your vibe, and your venue.
  👉 Contact us today to explore our wedding video packages and get matched with your perfect style.