Essential Gear for Exceptional Wedding Videography

The equipment a wedding videographer needs to create a beautiful wedding video.

The right equipment can make all the difference in capturing an engaging and cinematic wedding film. From capturing crisp audio to achieving dynamic footage, the gear you choose plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality videos that couples will cherish forever.

Camera

In years past, DSLR cameras sufficed, but today, mirrorless or cinema cameras are essential for capturing high-quality wedding films. Slow-motion recording options, Log or RAW recording, 4K resolution (or better), accurate autofocus, and low-light capabilities are necessary to tell wedding stories in various environments.

You can count on the unpredictability of live events; having a versatile camera and expert filmmaking knowledge ensures your ability to capture irreplaceable moments, regardless of the environment.

To deliver a more dynamic edit, invest in multiple cameras for multi-cam setups. For first looks, ceremonies, dances, and speeches, multiple cameras are beneficial, allowing the editor to cut between perspectives, bringing dimension and production value to the final video. Using cameras with identical sensors and synchronized settings creates a cohesive aesthetic throughout the film. Reliable gear is a must; cameras with dual recording to multiple media cards are extremely valuable in combating technical difficulties.

Audio

A commonly overlooked aspect of wedding videography, high-quality audio recording is essential for contemporary wedding storytelling. The camera's internal microphone doesn't suffice; invest in a quality on-camera microphone. Shotgun mics are a commonly used audio solution. Preferably, use a camera that accepts XLR or mini-XLR instead of 3.5mm jacks.

A 32-bit float external audio recorder will help pull audio directly from the sound system with minimal peaking. Redundancy is equally helpful for audio; as a videographer, you can't guarantee the sound system works without issue or defect. An additional audio source, like Lavalier mics, is a perfect solution, working well for first looks.

Lighting

Lighting is another commonly overlooked aspect of wedding videography. When used creatively and knowledgeably, lighting can turn boring wedding footage into a head-turning, cinematic masterpiece. Minimize the intrusiveness of lighting equipment; a small footprint and versatility are essential. Filmmaking-specific lighting doesn't flicker on camera regardless of settings or frame rate, and it's typically highly accurate in color temperature and tint.

Having the ability to power lighting via AC power or battery is valuable. Invest in sturdy, compact light stands and sandbags. Depending on the desired look of the wedding film, you'll likely need to use multiple artificial light sources (especially for event receptions) and have three reliable, vertical lights that can effectively light the scene from a distance. Light modifiers are needed to shape light artistically. A light without a light modifier is like a lamp without a lampshade.

Lenses

Some may argue the lens is more important than the camera. A wedding videographer should have a variety of focal lengths and fast lenses. Poorly made lenses can produce problems in durability, weather/temperature resilience, chromatic aberration, and image-warping. Accurate autofocus and image stabilization are not required but are very helpful. Commonly used wedding videography lenses include 15-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 24mm prime, 35mm prime, 50mm prime, 85mm prime, and 135mm prime.

Other Gear

Tripods are the most useful accessory you can have when it comes to wedding videography. A good tripod with smooth camera movements isn't cheap, but it's a worthwhile investment. Neutral Density Filters (ND Filters) allow filmmakers to film with a shallow depth of field even in direct sunlight. Some cinema cameras have built-in NDs, which are very useful; once you use built-in NDs, you'll never want to go back. Polarizers and other lens filters can be helpful in specific filming situations, so it's a good idea to have them in your camera bag.

Gimbals or camera stabilizers help achieve smooth footage but are often misused. Even some videographers with years of experience don't know how to film without a gimbal. In these cases, the film is stripped of its cinematic language and meaning. Handheld footage has texture, charm, and character that is too often ignored by filmmakers lacking the patience to master one of the most useful filmmaking skills. Gimbals are a useful tool, but I recommend only using them to achieve specific shots occasionally.

A monopod provides similar functionality as a tripod with the benefit of increased mobility. For a live event like weddings, monopods are helpful to keep up with the fast-paced events.

Backup Equipment

Always have backup gear on hand, including extra batteries, memory cards, and even a backup camera, to avoid disruptions in capturing the day's events.

By investing in the right equipment and ensuring you have backups in place, you can confidently tackle any wedding videography assignment and deliver exceptional results that exceed your client's expectations. Having the right gear for the job is simply one facet of the intricate art of wedding videography. Professional wedding videographers should be experts in all of the technical settings, capabilities, limitations, best practices, and options their gear and equipment have to offer. Additionally, having and knowing how to use gear is one thing; it is another to know how to create and tell meaningful stories using cinematic language. A wedding videographer wears the hats of many professionals in a setting where they must get the perfect shot on the first try, but it is also the most rewarding form of filmmaking I know of. There is nothing like hearing a couple's reaction when they first see an artistic telling of their love story and most special day.