How I Film Wedding Ceremonies
If there’s one part of a wedding day that a wedding videographer absolutely cannot mess up, it’s the ceremony. This is the heart of the day—the reason everyone has gathered. It’s the actual “wedding” in “wedding videography.”
As a South Dakota wedding videographer, I take ceremony coverage seriously. Whether you’re getting married in the Black Hills, at a church in Rapid City, or outdoors in Badlands National Park, my goal is to make sure every meaningful moment is captured beautifully.
In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how I film wedding ceremonies—so you’ll know that when I’m behind the camera, no part of your day will be missed.
Setting the Scene: Establishing Shots
Every great wedding video starts with stunning establishing shots of the ceremony site—before guests arrive. If you’re having an outdoor Black Hills wedding, I use a drone to capture aerial views of your venue, showcasing the landscape and layout of your ceremony space. From rustic lodges to open meadows, these scenic shots help tell the story of where your wedding took place.
I also film close-ups of the altar, florals, and key details. These help create a cinematic build-up to the main event: the ceremony.
Capturing Wedding Guests Arriving
Once guests begin arriving, I focus on capturing candid moments—people laughing, hugging, and settling into their seats. These clips add warmth and personality to your final film. As a Rapid City wedding videographer, I often run into familiar faces at local weddings, which makes these moments feel even more personal.
These guest shots are also a great way to make sure your wedding film includes everyone who came to celebrate with you.
Filming the Wedding Processional
Next up: the processional. This is when your family, wedding party, and finally the bride (or one of the partners) walk down the aisle. I film everyone who walks in, and I don’t just stay in one spot while I do it. I move—sometimes jog—around the front of the aisle to keep the footage fresh and dynamic. It’s one of the most emotional parts of the day, and it deserves to be captured from more than one angle.
If you’re planning a church ceremony in Rapid City or an intimate elopement in Custer State Park, I’ll adapt my approach to fit the location, the lighting, and the energy of your day.
Multi-Camera Coverage of the Ceremony
Once the officiant begins, I’ve got up to three cameras on tripods rolling. This setup gives me multiple angles to choose from when editing—wide shots of the ceremony, close-ups of you and your partner, and reaction shots of your guests.
Having multiple cameras also protects against the unexpected (like a camera being knocked over by wind or guests). And while those cameras are locked in, I’m still moving around with my main camera, gathering extra b-roll—like close-ups of your vows, emotional expressions, or subtle gestures between you and your partner.
The First Kiss and What Happens After
Of course, I capture your first kiss as newlyweds, the cheers, and the walk back down the aisle. But I don’t stop there.
If I can, I’ll follow you immediately after the ceremony to film those first raw reactions—the laughter, the happy tears, the relief. These behind-the-scenes moments often become some of the most treasured shots in the entire wedding video.
Why This Matters
As a Black Hills wedding videographer, I’ve filmed ceremonies in all kinds of conditions—sunshine, rain, wind, mountain overlooks, and classic church interiors. I know how to adapt, stay discreet, and still capture the emotions that matter most.
Your ceremony is the reason for the whole day. It deserves to be filmed with care, creativity, and backup plans. That’s exactly what I bring to every wedding I film—whether it’s in Rapid City, Spearfish, Custer, or anywhere else in South Dakota.
If watching videos is more your speed than reading blogs, I made a video on this exact topic below!
Looking for a South Dakota wedding videographer who captures ceremony moments you’ll actually want to relive?
Let’s connect. I’d love to help tell your story in a way that feels natural, cinematic, and completely you.
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