Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline? Don’t Forget the Videographer (We Come with Cables and Mics!)

So, you’ve got your wedding date, your dream dress, your photographer, and maybe even a color-coded Pinterest board labeled "Boho Garden Vibes." But if you’ve booked a videographer (or are thinking about it), let’s have a real talk about timelines — because video isn't just photography with a play button.

While your photographer captures the iconic stills, your videographer is there to catch the stuff you’ll actually hear and feel years from now — like your vows, your best friend’s teary speech, or the way your partner looked at you during your first dance. It’s emotional gold, but it takes a bit of planning to make that magic happen.

Here are some things to consider when building a wedding timeline that actually works for video — not just photos.

Video Needs Sound — And That Sound Needs Set Up

Photos are silent. Video? Not so much. If you want your vows, speeches, and all those sentimental sound bites in your final wedding film (and trust me, you do), we need time to set up microphones, test audio levels, and maybe even stick a tiny mic on your partner's lapel like a secret agent.

Give us time to:

- Mic up the officiant and your partner before the ceremony (awkward mid-ceremony mic-ing isn’t the vibe).

- Set up audio recorders where speeches or toasts will happen.

- Coordinate with your DJ or planner about audio feeds.

Pro tip: Add 20–30 extra minutes before big moments like the ceremony or speeches so we aren't sprinting across the venue with cables flying like they’re defusing a bomb. I can't tell you how many times I've had the cold sweats because we arrive at the church at the same time the bride is ready to walk down the aisle!

Videographers Need Buffer Time — We’re Not Ninjas (Usually)

Photographers can capture a kiss in the blink of an eye. Videographers? We need time to set up tripods, adjust lighting, test gear, and be in position before the action starts. Because in video, there’s no "just Photoshop it later" — it either happened on camera or it didn’t.

Moments that need extra buffer time:

- Ceremony: Give us 20–30 mins to mic people and set up angles.

- Speeches: Let us know when speeches will start so we can place mics and cameras ahead of time.

 - Dances: A quick heads-up before your first dance lets us get in place without sprinting past grandma’s table.

If you build in even 5–10 minutes of wiggle room before big events, you’ll help your video team look like ninjas, even if we’re just sweaty humans blending into the background.

Photo & Video: We’re on the Same Team — Help Us Stay There

As a wedding videographer, I can tell you this: we’re not here to compete with your photographer — we’re here to collaborate. At the end of the day, we both want the same thing: to make you look amazing and to tell the story of your wedding in a way that feels true to you.

That said, we work a little differently. Your photographer might capture a perfect still image of you both standing in a gorgeous pose — but for video, we love to see you move. Whether it’s walking hand-in-hand, whispering something sweet (or silly), or twirling during golden hour, those little motions are what bring your film to life.

So here’s how you, as a couple, can help us work in sync:

When you’re talking with your photographer about your portraits, ask this:

“Can we build in some natural movement into our poses so our videographer can capture that too?”

Boom. Now we’re all on the same page.

This small nudge lets your photographer know you’re thinking about both teams. It doesn’t mean changing their style — just making room for little moments that work beautifully for video too. Things like:

- Taking a few steps toward each other instead of holding one static pose

- Whispering something while you cuddle in close

- Laughing, spinning, or just swaying in place

If we can capture those movements during the same time the photographer is getting their shots, we don’t have to redo anything or pull you away later for extra footage. That means less posing, more partying — and everyone’s happy.

So don’t be afraid to start the conversation. Most photographers are totally open to collaboration, and when we all communicate, your wedding day runs smoother and your memories — both still and moving — come out even more beautiful.

Think About the Audio Moments You Want to Remember

The sound of your spouse choking up while reading vows. Your sister cracking a joke during her toast. Your dad accidentally calling you by your childhood nickname in front of 100 guests. These are priceless audio moments that make your film come alive.

If you want these in your video (you do), you’ll need to make sure they’re film-friendly. That means:

- Do your speeches during dinner, not while the DJ is playing “Yeah!” by Usher at full volume.

- Plan a quiet moment to read letters aloud or exchange private vows.

- Tell your planner or DJ to give your videographer a 5-minute warning before toasts start. I can't stress how important this is because we need to re-adjust the lights and camera angles. That way, they're not running through a crowd trying to plug in recorders like it’s Mission: Impossible.

Timelines Are Teamwork

Creating a timeline that works for video and photography isn’t about making your day more complicated — it’s about making sure you get the most out of the professionals you've hired. Give your videographer time to set up, room to capture sound, and a heads-up before key events.

Because when you’re sitting on your couch, watching your wedding film five years from now — reliving your vows, hearing your loved ones' voices, and seeing the day as it really happened — you’ll be so glad you did.