Finding the Best Style for Your Wedding Videography and Photography
When you start scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest for wedding inspiration, you’ll notice two distinct “vibes.” One feels like a raw, emotional movie: tears being wiped away, messy laughter, and your uncle’s questionable dance moves. The other looks like it was ripped straight from the pages of Vogue: perfect lighting, dramatic poses, and every hair exactly in place. In the industry, we call these Documentary and Editorial styles. Let’s find the best style of photography and videography so you can figure out which one fits your wedding day vision.
At Complete Weddings + Events – Seattle, we’ve seen it all. We know that while you want those epic, magazine-worthy portraits, you also want to remember exactly how it felt when your best friend gave that toast. If you’re planning your big day in the PNW, choosing between a photographer who leans into the “candid” and one who leans into the “fashion” can feel like a big decision. But here’s a secret: you don’t necessarily have to choose just one.
What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Think of documentary style as “the fly on the wall.” This approach is all about storytelling. Your Seattle wedding photographer isn’t there to tell you where to put your hands or which way to tilt your head; they are there to capture the day as it naturally unfolds.
The Vibe: Raw, Real, and Unscripted
Documentary photography (often called photojournalism) prioritizes emotion over perfection. It’s about the “in-between” moments. It’s the shot of the flower girl yawning during the vows or the quiet, shaky-breath moment right before the doors open.
Why you’ll love it:
- Zero Pressure: You don’t have to “perform” for the camera. You can just exist and enjoy your day.
- True Memories: When you look back at your gallery, you’ll remember the actual moment, not the instructions the photographer gave you.
- Storytelling: It captures the atmosphere of the entire day, including the guests and the environment, not just the couple.
What is Editorial Wedding Photography?
Editorial style is the opposite of “accidental.” It is intentional, polished, and highly stylized. This is the style you choose if you want your wedding to look like a high-end production.
The Vibe: Chic, Sophisticated, and Magazine-Ready
An editorial photographer acts more like a director. They will look for the best light, the most interesting angles, and they will guide you into poses that are incredibly flattering. Even the “candid” shots in an editorial gallery are often “curated candids”: meaning the photographer set the scene and then let you move within it.
Why you’ll love it:
- Iconic Portraits: You’re going to get those “wow” shots that you’ll want to blow up and hang on your wall forever.
- Flattering Results: Editorial pros are masters of lighting and posing. They know how to make you look your absolute best.
- Detail-Focused: This style puts a huge emphasis on the aesthetics: your shoes, the rings, the table settings, and the venue’s architecture.
How This Translates to Video
The documentary vs. editorial question matters just as much when hiring a Seattle wedding videographer.
- A documentary wedding film often follows the chronological order of the day. It uses a lot of natural audio: the full vows, the entirety of the speeches, and the ambient noise of the crowd. It feels like a home movie, but much, much better.
- An editorial (or cinematic) wedding film feels like a movie trailer. It’s driven by music, creative editing, and “hero shots.” The videographer might ask you to walk slowly toward the camera or share a quiet moment in a specific spot to get that perfect cinematic flare.
The Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
Most couples in Seattle don’t actually want just one style. If you go 100% documentary, you might miss out on those stunning, “framed over the fireplace” portraits. If you go 100% editorial, your wedding might feel more like a photoshoot than a celebration.
The sweet spot is a Hybrid Style.
This is where your team captures the morning preparations and the reception in a documentary style (letting things happen naturally), but carves out an hour for editorial-style portraits and “first look” moments where they provide more direction.
How to Decide Which Style is Right for You
Now that we’ve broken down the difference between documentary vs. editorial styles: which one fits your wedding day vision? Still not sure? Ask yourselves these three questions:
- How do I feel in front of a camera? If you’re camera-shy and hate being the center of attention, lean toward Documentary. If you love a good “main character” moment, go Editorial.
- What do I value more: the feeling or the look? If you want to remember the “messy” emotions, choose documentary. If you want a visual masterpiece that highlights your style and decor, choose editorial.
- What do our favorite Seattle Wedding Venues look like? Some venues, like industrial warehouses or forests, lend themselves to documentary shots. High-end ballrooms or modern glass buildings often scream for editorial portraits.
Let’s Make It Happen
At the end of the day, your wedding is a celebration, not a production. Our job is to make sure you actually get to enjoy it. Whether you want a raw, documentary-style film or a polished, editorial photo gallery, we have the team to make it happen.
Ready to see how we can bring your vision to life? Let’s chat about your day and find the perfect package for you.
Get a Quote and Start Planning Your Seattle Wedding with Complete
