Want to up the ante when it comes to your wedding video? Otherwise almost impossible to achieve a few years back (unless you had a Hollywood blockbuster budget, or access to a helicopter or small plane), the recent trend of using drones for videography means you can now get dramatic and spectacular visuals that also add an incredible cinematic feel to wedding videos. But aerial videography isn't for every wedding and come with its pros and cons, so do consider them when you're planning your wedding.
Pros:
- Drones offer a bird's eye view of the entire ceremony and reception as well as the surrounding area for a unique perspective, so it's perfect for outdoor or destination weddings. Imagine your ceremony in a chapel on a cliff and you're able to capture the entire scene in a sweeping aerial shot. A traditional camera on ground wouldn't be able to achieve such a wide shot and include both the chapel, cliff and ocean below.
- Aerial videography allows for creative shots where you get guests to form a huge heart with the newly weds in the middle, spell out words like 'love' or other fun formations. A drone can also capture an entire aerial shot from the time the bride steps out of the limo and walks down the aisle to her groom.
- You're guaranteed of an unobtrusive view — it's unlikely you'll have a selfie stick in your way or an over zealous guest who steps in front of the camera since the footage is shot from the air.
- A good drone operator can create ultra dramatic shots where the drone flies from indoors to outdoors. How cool would it be when it follows the newly weds walking out of the church to the lawn outside in just one shot?
Cons:
- Drones work best in open outdoor areas. Ask if your drone operator can do a location recce prior to your wedding if he's not familiar with the location. You don't want a case of a drone hitting tree branches or other tall obstacles. Drones can be a little noisy too so they may not work well indoors, but they could work in an area with high ceilings like a church, barn or hall. It's always best to check with the venue if drones are allowed and with the drone operator if there's enough space to manoeuvre.
- You're dependent on the weather when you're using a drone as it can't operate in rain, snow or strong winds.
- You can't get close up shots of the couple, guests or other details with a drone.
- Drones do not replace the traditional videographer on the ground so be prepared to spend extra if you want to include aerial videography.
