When it comes to capturing one of the most important days of your life, wedding videos are a must-have. Two popular styles of wedding videos include highlight and documentary videos. Both options offer their unique benefits. But the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and the wedding’s theme and budget. Most often, though, six to ten hours of shooting is condensed by post-production editors to a much shorter film. In this blog, we will explore the differences between these two types of wedding film styles. We will also help you make an informed decision on which is best for your love story.
Highlight vs. Documentary Wedding Videos in Tampa: Which One Is Right for You?
Highlight Videos:
Highlight videos are typically eight to eleven-minute videos that showcase the highlights of your wedding day. These videos are carefully curated by your videographer and capture the most touching, emotional, and visually stunning moments of the day, set to music that complements the mood and atmosphere of the wedding.
Tampa highlight videos are ideal for couples who want to capture the essence of the day in a visually stunning, cinematic way and are intended to be shared on social media platforms. Sometimes a videographer will stage or direct moments with the wedding party, sometimes even using choreography. This also allows them to capture especially compelling, artistic video clips.
Pros of Highlight Videos:
- A cinematic experience: Highlight videos are carefully crafted with attention to detail and artistic vision, which results in a film-like experience that captures the essence of the day.
- Emotional impact: With carefully selected moments edited together, highlight videos can evoke powerful emotions. They will bring tears of joy to your eyes, allowing you to re-experience the magic day.
- Easy to share: Due to their shorter length, highlight videos are ideal for sharing on social media platforms and with friends and family who may not have been able to attend the wedding.
Cons of Highlight Videos:
- Limited coverage: Since the focus is on creating a stunning cinematic piece, some moments may not be included in the final edit, and certain aspects of the day may be missed due to time constraints.
- Less detail: Highlight videos typically prioritize visual aesthetics over capturing detailed moments and conversations.
Documentary Videos:
Documentary videos are longer, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour or more, and are a near-complete record of the wedding day. These videos capture every moment of the day, from getting ready and the ceremony to the reception and beyond. They are ideal for couples who want to revisit the day almost in its entirety and relive every moment of the celebration.
Pros of Documentary Videos:
- Comprehensive coverage: Documentary videos capture all the important moments of your wedding day. They ensure that no aspect is missed or forgotten. Doc videos provide a nearly complete record of the whole day.
- Real-time experience: With a documentary video, you can relive the day as it unfolded, including speeches, vows, and interactions between loved ones, just like you did on the day itself.
- Authenticity: Documentary videos focus on capturing genuine moments and emotions, allowing you to see the unscripted beauty of your wedding day, and the nuances that only a full recording can provide.
Cons of Documentary Videos:
- Lengthy: Due to their comprehensive coverage, documentary videos can be longer and may require a longer attention span from the viewer.
- Less visually stunning: Documentary videos tend to prioritize capturing moments as they happen, which may result in less emphasis on visual storytelling or cinematic effects.
Highlight vs. Documentary Wedding Videos in Tampa, FL
In the end, your choice between highlight and documentary wedding videos depends on your priorities, vision, and budget. Highlight videos are perfect for couples looking for a visually stunning and emotional cinematic experience. One that captures the essential moments of the day in a short and sweet format. In contrast, documentary videos provide a more comprehensive and detailed account of the day, allowing you to relive the day as if you were there.
Highlight videos are ideal for sharing with family and friends. Documentary videos are a valuable keepsake that you can share with future generations. Before making your decision, communicate your preferences with your videographer. Let them guide you to the style that will best capture the essence of your wedding day. Having a wedding video that captures the memories of your special day is something that you will treasure forever.
Complete Weddings + Events Tampa, FL
Complete Weddings + Events is an international brand with about five decades of experience in the event and media industry. We provide professional and award-winning videography and video post-production services for weddings and other personal events, as well as for corporate clients.
Call or click to speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants today.
PS: Here are a few of our very favorite wedding venues in the Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Tampa areas. We think you’ll like them, too.