Capture the feel of your wedding day for years to come with Cherry Tree Films
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Every so often we’ll speak to a wedding couple that is planning to skip having a videographer at their wedding because they fear the limelight or having to “perform” on their Big Day.
And we think that’s sad. We love looking at clips from couples’ wedding films that capture the pure joy of their celebration and all the mad moments on the dance floor.
I’ve also spoken to people who mention loving the way their wedding film allows them the chance to look back on loved ones who are no longer with us.
However, what if your fear of being on display and the thought of having every moment filmed still fills you with dread?
Yvonne Towle and her husband Steve are the talented filmmakers behind Cherry Tree Films and she can understand those reservations.
“I think a lot of couples are put off having a film by concerns about how intrusive filming might be, worries that they have to act up to the camera or, they want a film but they are worried they would feel awkward in front of the camera,” she says.
However, it is simply a matter of finding a videography company you click with, that can film your wedding in a really chilled and natural way, allowing you to be yourselves.
That is definitely Cherry Tree Films’ approach and Yvonne and Steve can make films of any length so it doesn’t have to be that epic blockbuster that could frighten some couples off.
“Wedding films come in all shapes and sizes, and for us that’s anywhere from a 60 second reel, through five, nine or 15-minute films, right through to a 25-minute feature film,” she says.
“So there are options for every couple.”
A bespoke approach
When you book Cherry Tree Films you can rest assured that you will receive the film you want, and not some film by numbers edit.
“I think people see wedding films online and think that all companies script the wedding day and couples have to ‘perform’ to get the best footage,” explains Yvonne.
“This probably comes from seeing films that have the same kind of posed shots repeated across every film.
“For some people that is totally fine and they are willing to be directed all day to get the kind of film they are looking for, but to others that’s a huge turn-off, and we understand that.
“For anyone worrying about having to ‘perform’ we can reassure couples that having your wedding filmed in a natural, relaxed and unobtrusive way is exactly how we prefer to work.
“It’s only this natural filming style that allows us to create the breathtaking cinematic and emotional films that we make.”
You can see that natural, unscripted style in all of these three films below by Cherry Tree Films.
Steve and Yvonne can empathise with couples who may have fears about coming across as unnatural on film.
“Steve and I are also fairly reserved, so fully understand the reluctance of being in front of the lens,” she says.
“So we tend to take an approach of gentle guidance rather than full-on direction.
“After all, couples really do just want to enjoy the day without having to take time out to act.
“We’ll make helpful suggestions of where to stand so the light is better, or where to walk perhaps so we can get natural shots of them walking and talking, but all the time asking the couple to just be themselves.”
Yvonne adds that some couples will actually appreciate more direction than others, so they tailor their involvement to suit each couple.
Ultimately though, they are filming a very special day in that couple’s lives, so for them the emotion has to be real.
“We are always looking for the natural and relaxed interactions between the couple, the moments where they are fully at ease and genuinely being themselves.
“For us, that’s where the truly beautiful moments come from.”
Looking back
How often do you hear actors say they cannot watch their own work, or you cringe when someone has filmed you candidly and you’re not acting like the best version of yourself?
The Towles go out of their way to prevent those toe-curling moments.
“We strongly believe that when people watch themselves in the film, they should see themselves being natural,” Yvonne advises.
“We want it to be their real memories of the day and all the wonderful things that really happened.
“Their friends and family having fun celebrating, the emotion, the smiles, the laughter, and not just a film full of manufactured memories.
After all we’re there to tell a genuine story, not make one up.
“So when couples ask us what to expect from filming we simply say, ‘We just want you to be you!’”
Perfect moments
As with wedding photography, there are certain important moments that videographers know to capture, as well as the people most important to the couple.
“We have a detailed plan of the day so we know exactly where to be and when,” explains Yvonne.
“Ultimately though, with our wealth of experience in filming weddings over many years, we have learned to anticipate all kinds of moments throughout the day.
“So we’re using both our experience and our attention to detail to be ready for all the wonderful genuine moments across the day.
“We’re professional observers in a way, watching and waiting, ready to capture.
“So our approach is hands-off, relaxed and natural with a hint of general guidance where needed.”
Homework
You could be forgiven for thinking when you book a wedding videographer you’re booking them for the big day alone, but so much work goes into the final product after the event.
“The skill to an amazing wedding film is not only capturing beautiful imagery, but also editing the film in such a way that couples can really feel how they felt on the day,” says Yvonne.
“That’s one of the things that we get feedback on all the time, that watching their film couples felt just like they were back there, all over again.
“The most frequent comment we get from our couples is ‘oh, we can’t believe you got that shot’ and that comes from our unobtrusive approach.”
With Cherry Tree Films it’s important that the couples have an input in the final film.
After all, they’re telling their individual wedding story.
“We’ll discuss editing styles (as any film can take any number of different directions!), filming options and of course music,” says Yvonne.
“Music and sound in general is such a vital part of creating a wedding film. It’s the powerhouse behind the rise and fall of emotions, the energy and excitement so it’s very, very important we get this right for each film.”
Cherry Tree Films couples are given the option to choose their own music or they can allow Yvonne and Steve free rein.
“All of our films are bespoke, so the couple are able to have as much or as little involvement as they wish,” adds Yvonne.
Legacy
If you’re still swithering on the idea of hiring a wedding videographer cast you mind forward a few years and think about being able to show that film to the next generations.
“Wedding films are a priceless keepsake,” says Yvonne.
“Taking an emotional and fun vision of the wedding day and preserving it for future generations is not something to be ignored.
“The power and value of our films (as couples have told us over the past 20 years) only increase with age.
“It’s the single most important investment you can make in preserving all the sights and sounds of the day.
“If you are going to make that investment, then why not do it in a film that will remain timeless and most of all, show you being you.”
