Unspoken Truths About Wedding Filmmaking

Revealing the realities, pressures, and choices behind the lens, from a luxury wedding filmmaker who lives them.

The wedding industry is beautiful. But it’s also complicated. As wedding filmmakers, we don’t just capture love stories. We navigate trends. Expectations. Politics. Pressure. So much more that no one talks about publicly. But maybe it’s time we did.

This blog isn’t a complaint. And it’s not a rant. It’s a reality check. A behind-the-scenes look at what shapes this industry. The stuff professionals whisper about, but rarely post.

I love what I do. But I love it even more when it’s real. Honest. Meaningful.

The best work comes from understanding the whole story. Not just the highlights. This blog isn’t here to discourage. It’s here to illuminate.

Because when you pull back the veil, you don’t find bitterness. You find clarity. You find the people who stay in this industry because they care. Because they believe in telling stories that matter. Because they want your film to be about you. Not just what’s trending.

So if you’ve read this far and still feel drawn to the work I do? Then chances are, we’d make a great match.

The uncomfortable truths? I embrace them. Because that’s where the most meaningful, magical storytelling begins.

1. Business Is Brutal (Even When You Love It)

Wedding filmmaking looks like a dream. But the reality? It’s hard work. It’s unpredictable. It’s not always sustainable.

• Undercharging is rampant. Staying competitive often means pricing too low, working too much, and burning out before you find your rhythm.
• Client ghosting is real. Even luxury couples can disappear after hours of thoughtful communication and energy.
• Referrals can be political. Recommendations aren’t always based on talent. They’re often rooted in favours, friendships, and commissions.
• Being good isn’t always enough. Visibility, SEO, and social proof often matter more than the craft itself.
• The industry is cliquey. No matter how experienced or talented you are, access often depends on who you know.
• Work-life balance is fiction. During peak season, boundaries blur. You live and breathe edits, emails, and expectations.

How I Navigate This:
I trust my instincts. I set clear boundaries. I protect my time.

Years at the BBC taught me to read people. Fifteen years in weddings sharpened that intuition. If something feels off, I stop. I listen. And I walk away when needed.

I’ve also built lasting relationships. With couples. With planners. The kind that run on respect. On shared standards. On transparency. Boundaries don’t limit me. They elevate what I do. They keep me focused on the work that matters. The niche I serve values depth. Not volume. Not trend.

→ If you’re wondering whether videography is really necessary – or how to separate the hype from the value – read this honest take: 10 Reasons Not To Have a Wedding Videographer.

2. Creativity Gets Compromised

This work is creative at its core. But constant pressure dulls that edge. The pace. The trends. The expectation to deliver content on demand.

• Likes don’t equal legacy. Social media numbers may open doors, but they don’t define the depth or value of the work.
• I don’t edit for followers. My focus is always on the client, not the algorithm. Every film is crafted for their story, not for likes.
• Trends kill creativity. Following what’s popular leads to work that looks and feels like everyone else’s.
• Social media rewards noise. Fast edits and trending sounds often outperform thoughtful, nuanced storytelling.
• Fake sells better than real. Staged moments get more clicks, even if they say less about the day.
• Shooting is the easy part. The emotional labour happens before and after. That’s where the real weight sits.
• “One more tweak” becomes a trap. Without clear limits, revisions take over and dilute the vision.
• Everyone wants content but no one budgets for it. Vendors expect reels and behind-the-scenes clips, often added without any fee or discussion.

How I Navigate This:
I keep my calendar lean. Each booking gets my full attention. Each film is crafted, not churned. I don’t run a content machine. I run a creative studio.

I also choose my clients carefully to ensure we’re a good fit and aligned. Believe it or not I don’t accept every commission that comes my way and it’s not just based on their budget. For me a wedding with an authentic story will always appeal to me over a wedding that’s about ‘the production’. The intimate wedding of Britanny and Ryan in Davos won hands down when another couple requested me at the same time for a wedding on the same date with hundreds of guests at an extravagant hotel in Vevey.

The pressure to be visible online is constant. Follower counts. Likes. Shares. They can start to dictate your value. They can make you question your style. They can steal your joy. But I resist that pull. I stay in my lane. I honour the story over the scroll. My clients come first. Always.

To stay inspired? I carve out time. I film passion projects. I call them ‘Stories of the Soul.’ They recharge me. They remind me why I started.

→ For a deeper dive into what makes my approach unique, here’s how we became the original storytellers in wedding filmmaking: Read the full post.

3. Clients Are Figuring It Out As They Go

Most couples are navigating this process for the first time. And let’s face it, the internet doesn’t always help. It sometimes confuses. It often overwhelms. There’s a disconnect between what couples want, what they think they want, and what they actually need and filmmakers and photographers often end up stuck in the middle.

• Most couples don’t know what they want, until they see it. The decision-making process is emotional, unpredictable, and often shaped by pressure.
• There’s a gap between Pinterest dreams and reality. Vision boards rarely align with budgets or logistics.
• You can’t serve everyone. Trying to please everyone dilutes your work – and your worth.
• The difference between a professional filmmaker and a content creator? It’s huge, but many clients don’t realise it until it’s too late. One crafts a cinematic story; the other creates quick content for clicks. Both have value, but they are not the same.

How I Navigate This:
I approach every enquiry as an opportunity to guide, not to sell. I never assume they already know the difference between cinematic storytelling and fast-turnaround content. I take the time to listen, to understand what matters to them, and then gently educate on what’s possible, beyond what they’ve seen on Pinterest or Instagram.

For me, it’s not about pitching. It’s about offering clarity in a world that often overwhelms. I want couples to feel confident in their choices, whether or not they choose to work with me. If I’m not the right fit, that’s perfectly okay. Because when a couple does choose me, I want it to be for the right reasons – because they trust me, they connect with my ethos, and they value the kind of storytelling I’m here to offer.

When clients feel safe, they let go of pressure. They drop the ‘shoulds.’ They focus on what truly matters. That’s where the real story lives. That’s the film I want to make.

Filmmaker vs content creator? It’s a big difference. One builds legacy. The other builds engagement. → Read more here: Unveiling the Trend: The Rise of Social Media Wedding Content Creators

Finally, when couples have that clarity – when they start to see the difference between content and storytelling – there’s often another question that arises:

“What does matter when working with a luxury wedding videographer?”

I’ve written about that too.

→ Want to understand what truly matters when working with a luxury videographer? These are the 30 questions every couple should be asked.

4. The Wedding-as-Performance Trap

Weddings are deeply personal. But in some cases, they’re treated like productions. The day can become a stage. And sometimes, the couple feels the pressure to perform.

• Some couples don’t want a wedding… they want content. The celebration is curated for social media. It’s crafted for the camera. The focus shifts away from experience.
• There’s more pressure to perform than to feel. Of course, not every couple wants this. But still, in many cases, they feel watched. Every move is observed. Every reaction feels on display. Authenticity can get lost in the performance.
• Being ‘featured’ becomes the goal. For some couples and planners publication is the prize. Sometimes, it matters more than presence.
• Brides are expected to become the brand. The pressure is enormous. Look flawless. Act joyful. Be editorial-ready from dawn until dusk.
• Viral moments are often choreographed. What appears spontaneous is sometimes rehearsed. Repeated. Scripted for effect.

How I Navigate This:
I don’t direct weddings like campaigns. I tell stories. Real ones. I give moments room to breathe. I create a space where couples feel free. Free to feel. To be. To connect. Perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is.

When needed, I guide gently. But I also know when to be still. When to observe. When to capture the quiet magic unfolding.

This is your wedding. Not a marketing campaign. The most meaningful scenes in your film? They won’t be planned. They’ll be lived.

→ Read more here: When Did Wedding Films Stop Being About Weddings?

5. Stories That Stay Hidden

Not all love stories are treated equally in this industry. Some get the spotlight. Others stay in the shadows. Representation still falls short. Diversity is still overlooked. Honesty doesn’t always trend.

• Representation is still an issue. Love comes in every shape and size. But the industry still elevates only a narrow version of beauty.
• Cultural weddings are underrepresented. Diverse traditions often get treated as niche. They deserve celebration, not tokenism.
• Real emotion can feel ‘too messy.’ Tears. Nerves. Rain. These are the moments that make a story real. But they rarely make the editorial cut.
• Your best work may never be seen. Some of my most meaningful films are private. Protected. Never shared by request.

How I Navigate This:
This one is personal. I want every couple to feel seen. Not just through my lens. But in how I work. And how I share – if I share at all.

I’m honoured to film LGBTQ+ weddings. Cross-cultural celebrations.

→ For an example of how a multi-day LGBTQ+ wedding can be captured with elegance and soul, read this: Tips for a Three-Day Wedding at Château Challain

Elopements with no rulebook. I don’t chase the algorithm. I follow the story. Just like with Kat and Dmetrey’s elopement her in the Jungfrau region where I live. This film also includes User Generated Content to tell the whole story of the European Adventure and not just their wedding day.

Also worth nothing – If a couple asks me to keep their film offline? I do. No hesitation. Some of my best work lives off-grid. And that’s exactly where it belongs.

6. The Emotional Load Is Real

This work isn’t just visual. It’s emotional. As a filmmaker, you don’t just show up with a camera. You show up with empathy. You hold space for joy. For nerves. For tension. For tears.

It’s more than capturing a pretty day. It’s walking into people’s lives—on one of the most important days they’ll ever live.

• It’s an emotional rollercoaster. You carry people’s hopes. Their pressure. Their breakdowns. And you still have to deliver.
• In chasing perfection, couples can lose connection. The focus on how it looks can make them forget how it feels.
• Wedding filmmaking still isn’t taken seriously. Despite the skill and emotional labour, it’s often treated as secondary to photography, or as a nice-to-have.

How I Navigate This:
I lead with empathy. Not just as a filmmaker. But as a human being.

Two decades in storytelling taught me something valuable. People don’t remember the gear. They remember how you made them feel. I know when to step in. When to step back. And when to simply hold space.

This isn’t just a job to me. It’s a privilege. To witness. To support. To create something timeless, from moments that are anything but controlled.

The Final Word

These truths don’t scare me off. They ground me. They remind me why I do what I do.

This isn’t an industry I stumbled into. It’s one I chose. And I stay in it because I believe in the power of real stories. Not just the polished ones.

If you’re here because you want more than a highlight reel – If you value depth, trust, and authenticity – Then we’re already speaking the same language.

Let’s make something that lasts. Something honest. Something unforgettable.

If this blog resonated with you, let’s connect. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or you’re a creative navigating this industry too – I’d love to hear from you.

→ Enquire now about working together
→ Or explore more insights on the blog

Because the more honest conversations we have, the better this industry becomes – for everyone.