You may need to shoot one or two dances: one slow, another one fast, unless the couple is asking for more. You may shoot the series of segments of various dances to show how the evening unfolds. Whatever is your idea, double check if it is exactly what your couple wants.
From technical point of view, I would not recommend using stationary lights, as it will ruin the party mood. Rely on DJ’s lights and your camera light. Combine both and stay within the range of the lights strength.
In order to make video more exciting, vary your camera angle: shoot from low angle, then from your hands up. Watching music videos will give you an idea of shooting technique.
Be careful with an aperture while using your camera light and moving fast at the same time. Keep the dancing crowd properly exposed.
The newly married couple cutting the cake is a quick although symbolic part of a wedding ceremony.
You can do it:
- prior to reception if the official photographers decides to do it at that time; ask the couple if they want cake video to be done along with the cake cutting photo;
- after the main course before desert;
- at any other time on couple’s call.
If you do it along with the official photographer, let him or her set up the shot and complete the session. After the photo is taken, step in. Let the couple stay the way photographer set them up and shoot.
If you are on your own, choose proper background. Avoid flat walls, open kitchen doors, EXIT signs, etc. Preferable backgrounds: flower arrangement, guest tables, head table, anything related to the bright side of the special day. Ask if the couple wants the cutting to be announced by MC, so the guests willing to take a photo may join the set with their cameras.
Ask the couple what part of the cake they are going to slice, if they are going to try it or to give each other to try and ask them for a kiss after they are done cutting.
Start on two shot, pan down to the cake being cut, stay on cake, pan up on the couple for a kiss or on them trying the cake, pan down on the cake, cut.
There may be 1 to 4 formal dances at the wedding reception:
- bride and groom (this is number one and may be the only one);
- bride and her father;
- groom and his mother;
- bridal party - groomsmen and bridesmaids (may be called depending on tradition in your area).
Shoot entire first dance non-stop. Keep rolling camera no matter what. I usually roll on other dances continuously as well. You can always cut them shorter while editing if the customers wish so.
I strongly recommend using a light for a formal dance. Two lights: stationary light and a camera light – are even better. Inquire with the DJ or the band if they are planning to use strong fancy lighting for those dances. If not, set up yours. It is a common opinion that people do not like bright lights at the reception. They would not like grainy shadows moving on their foggy video either if there is not enough light for your camera.
You may move slowly around dancing couple or stand still on the floor or on the riser (on the chair, table, etc.). Moving camera gives some action to the shot. 3 minutes of continuous dancing filmed from the same angle may look boring even for your couple. It takes some practice or special equipment (or both) though to be able to deliver a stable shot while shooting with moving camera.
If you are not equipped with the steadycam or at least a dolly, think of your camera as of a jockey on a horse. It may be hard to think of yourself as of a horse, but if it helps the final product, give it a try.
Choose right background (BG) especially if you are shooting from fixed position. You don’t want your couple to dance in front of the kitchen, washroom or EXIT sign. Locate yourself in such a way that you can see the head table or the guests on the BG. Same if you are planning to move: avoid ugly backgrounds as much as possible. Come closer to the dancing couple if the background is turning flat or looks unpleasant. Back up to get a wider shot to incorporate a dancing couple and larger area of BG if it is relevant and nice looking.
Keep in mind, it is a formal and sometimes very touching moment of the day (sometimes not – people may talk business while dancing). Get closer or zoom in when they look at each other or give each other a kiss or bow to the guests at the end of the dance.
