Real Wedding Film Spotlight: Elliot and Hollie🦙🍃🚍💃
Introduction
Welcome to the ‘Real Wedding Spotlight’, a new series on the LVIT Films blog where we delve into the unique stories behind the wedding films we've crafted. Each edition will showcase a different couple's big day, highlighting the distinct elements that make their wedding film truly one-of-a-kind.
In our inaugural feature, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Elliot and Hollie—a couple whose love story we had the privilege of capturing. Our journey with them began over a year before their wedding, as we sat down to discuss their vision and bring their dream wedding film to life…
The Brief
From our first conversation with Elliot and Hollie, it was clear that this wouldn’t be your typical wedding film. They envisioned something different—a film that would break away from tradition and focus on what truly mattered to them.
Rather than the usual full recording of the ceremony and speeches, they wanted a shorter, more distilled film. Their focus was on capturing the energy, colours, and overall vibe of their wedding day—a cinematic piece that would encapsulate the memory and emotion of the occasion.
This approach was refreshing and aligned perfectly with their choice of venue, which was anything but conventional…
The Venue: The Fire Pit Camp, Norfolk
Sadly, The Fire Pit Camp in Norfolk is no longer in operation, but it remains one of the most memorable venues we’ve had the pleasure of filming at. Nestled in expansive fields and surrounded by the tranquility of nature, it offered a wedding experience like no other.
Rather than the traditional brick-and-mortar hotel rooms, the venue featured charming tepee tents and a stunning wooden cabin that looked like it was straight out of Channel 4’s Grand Designs. The craftsmanship was undeniable, with intricate carvings that hinted at the cabin’s handcrafted origins.
The ceremony took place under a rustic wooden structure, with outdoor seating that was nothing short of breathtaking in the summer months. For the reception, guests gathered on a stone patio that led to a retrofitted hangar-like space, perfectly suited for intimate celebrations. This versatile area included a cozy mini bar, blending modern convenience with the venue’s unique charm.
For a videographer, The Fire Pit Camp was a dream come true—a space brimming with character and endless possibilities for capturing unforgettable moments.
Music
The couple had a clear vision for the soundtrack of their wedding film. While they were familiar with the more traditional music choices often associated with wedding videos, they wanted something that would better reflect the energy and excitement of their day. Together, we decided on a high-energy track with a fast beat, perfectly capturing the vibrant atmosphere of their celebration.
This choice of music played a significant role in shaping the final video. The upbeat tempo inspired a more dynamic, rhythmic style of editing—bringing out the liveliness and joy of the day. We’ll dive deeper into the post-production process a bit later.
The Morning of The Big Day
The big day had finally arrived after months of anticipation. Our team set off early, leaving plenty of time for the 9:30am kickoff. With a two-hour drive ahead of us, we departed around 6:30am, watching the suburbs gradually give way to motorways, and eventually, the peaceful greenery of the countryside. The journey was punctuated with a few podcasts and service station coffees, setting the tone for the day ahead.
As we pulled into The Fire Pit Camp, we were immediately struck by its unique charm—a venue that was every bit as enchanting as we had imagined. After a quick introduction to the setting, we acquainted ourselves with the other vendors, including a remarkable photographer who shared our enthusiasm for capturing the day’s special moments.
For this particular wedding, Elliot and Hollie opted not to include bridal prep in their film. Instead, we focused our initial shots on the stunning venue before guests arrived, setting the scene for the video. We also captured the groomsmen as they prepared, creating moments that would later be woven into the narrative.
As the guests began to arrive, we made it a priority to capture as many faces as possible. Documenting the guests is an essential part of wedding videography—these moments are often the last time that everyone will be together in one place. Preserving these memories is at the heart of what we do, ensuring that the film is as much about the people as it is about the place.
The Ceremony - Stripping it Down
The ceremony at The Fire Pit Camp was as liberating as it was challenging. We knew that Hollie would make her entrance from the back of the venue after exiting a car, creating a unique cinematic moment that wouldn’t be possible in a more traditional setting like a church or registry office. It was as if all the walls had been taken down—literally and figuratively—giving us a clear view of the entire scene as it unfolded, which allowed us to capture the raw emotion and spontaneity of the moment.
However, this freedom came with its own set of challenges. With Elliot and Hollie’s decision to forgo a full recording of the ceremony and speeches, we opted not to shoot the ceremony in the typical 'safe' manner. Normally, we would set up multiple cameras, microphones, and other audio equipment to ensure that every moment is captured from various angles. But this time, we took a more creative approach, focusing on dynamic angles and intimate details.
The risk, of course, was that without the safety net of multiple cameras and comprehensive audio setups, we had to be precise in every shot. If something or someone obstructed the view, there wouldn’t be an alternate angle to fall back on. Fortunately, everything fell into place, and we were able to capture all the essential moments without a hitch.
This experience serves as a reminder of the balance between creative freedom and the reliability of traditional setups. While the stripped-down approach offered us more flexibility, it’s crucial to consider the potential trade-offs when planning your wedding film.
Befriending your Peers
As the day unfolded, it followed the familiar pattern—post-ceremony photographs were up next, and these moments are always a goldmine for us. The couple’s family portraits are a wonderful opportunity to capture cherished interactions, from the bride’s family to the groom’s, and of course, the couple’s intimate shots together—our personal favourite, filled with candid laughter and affection.
A highlight of the day was the group photo, which was truly special. Everyone gathered outside a charmingly repurposed classic bus that served as seating for some of the guests, adding a unique and memorable touch to the shot.
Effective collaboration with other vendors is crucial in creating a seamless wedding film. We strive to maintain a strong working relationship with all the other vendors — but from our perspective the photographer and videographer relationship is so key. Out of every position in making the big day run like a well oiled machine, it can be very easy for the videographer and photographer to step on each other’s toes in terms of the content they need to acquire (or vice versa!)
For this shoot, we worked closely with the photographer, coordinating our efforts to ensure everything ran smoothly. Typically, photographers are very specific about posing the bride and groom for their photos, which actually benefits us.
Unless we have a particular shot in mind or the couple has specific requests, we can adapt our positioning to capture the same moments from different angles without requiring the couple to repeat poses.
A skilled photographer brings a wealth of experience and a sense of command to the day, making it easier for us to complement their work and create a cohesive and beautifully captured wedding film.
Alpaca Galore! Food & Other Unique Aspects
Elliot and Hollie truly made their wedding day stand out with some wonderfully unique touches. One of the highlights was the inclusion of a petting zoo featuring adorable alpacas. It’s not every day you see these charming animals at a wedding, and they provided some of the most memorable and whimsical shots for the film. We still remember the surprisingly pleasant scent of the alpacas, which, rather amusingly, smelled like digestive biscuits. Perhaps it was their shampoo, but it was certainly a much-welcomed aroma!
The couple also opted for an inventive approach to catering, setting up multiple food stations that offered a delightful variety of options. From a paella station to a Greek kebab station and a loaded fries station, the setup evoked the vibrant atmosphere of street food and was a massive hit with the guests.
Entertainment was another area where Elliot and Hollie’s creativity shone through. A photo booth allowed guests to snap fun and memorable pictures, while a snooker table and table tennis provided hours of enjoyment.
These distinctive elements were not just fun additions—they were integral to the overall experience and played a significant role in shaping the visual and emotional tone of the wedding film. Capturing these details was essential, as they contributed to the unique character and charm of Elliot and Hollie's special day.
Out with a Bang!
As the evening progressed, the energy on the dance floor reached its peak. With a live band pumping out tunes and the space transformed by flashing lights and vibrant chaos, we faced a unique challenge in capturing the electric atmosphere. To immerse ourselves fully in the high-energy environment, we opted for a more dynamic approach.
Instead of using our typical equipment, which included rigs and gimbals that could potentially cause collisions in the crowded space, we went handheld. This choice allowed us to navigate the dance floor with greater freedom and agility, capturing the action in a style reminiscent of vintage Super 8 film cameras.
Thanks to advanced sensor stabilisation technology, the footage remained impressively steady, despite the lively setting. We also chose a fast shutter speed to give the footage a sharp, immediate feel—perfect for creating striking slow-motion sequences.
This made for some great moments — take a wheelchair being hijacked, spun around the floor and then the groom falling out of said chair and then having his posterior slapped by one of the groomsmen!. Something like this could have either of gone un-captured or filmed from a perspective that would have lacked any real sense of excitement.
The grand finale of the night was the spectacular outdoor fireworks display. The celebration began with guests enjoying sparklers, setting the stage for the main event.
We approached this segment with some reservations. Without a substantial light source—something we often envy in a photographer’s toolkit—we had to rely on the fireworks' bursts to provide natural backlighting.
Shooting from a low angle allowed us to use the illumination from the fireworks to silhouette the couple, creating a dramatic and memorable effect.
As the fireworks erupted, lighting up the dark sky, we navigated the area guided only by the occasional bursts of light. Despite the challenges, we managed to capture stunning shots that perfectly capped off the day.
What an incredible way to end an unforgettable wedding!
Post Production
As always, the day’s filming concluded with the intricate process of post-production. For Elliot and Hollie’s wedding film, the editing was heavily influenced by the high-energy, upbeat music track chosen to accompany the video.
Our creative approach during filming—opting for dynamic shots over the conventional safe method—provided us with a wealth of clips to work with, which we believe allowed us to capture more of the day’s essence than typical wedding coverage.
Colour correction was straightforward but essential. We aimed for a look that was both natural and subtly muted, enhancing the pastel shades that characterised the wedding’s aesthetic. This approach helped in maintaining the film’s authentic and soft visual tone.
We also put considerable thought into the title cards for the film. For Elliot and Hollie’s video, we chose neon-esque purple tones that mirrored the vibrant lighting of the dance floor. The title cards were designed with a sense of transparency, overlaying them with some of the b-roll footage from the fireworks display.
Takeaways
Creative Freedom vs. Traditional Techniques
Embracing a more creative, dynamic approach to filming allowed us to capture the essence of Elliot and Hollie’s wedding in a way that traditional methods might not have. This experience reinforced the importance of adapting our techniques to match the couple’s vision and the unique aspects of their celebration.
Collaboration with Vendors
Working closely with other vendors, especially photographers, enhances the overall quality of the wedding film. Effective collaboration ensures that we can capture all the important moments without duplicating efforts, creating a more cohesive final product.
Embracing Unique Elements
Incorporating distinctive features like the petting zoo and diverse food stations made the film stand out. These unique touches not only added charm but also helped in creating a visually engaging and memorable video.
Creative Post-Production Choices
The thoughtful editing choices, from the vibrant title cards to the colour correction, played a significant role in aligning the final product with the couple’s vision and the energy of their day.
Watch Now!
Conclusion
We’re really proud of the resulting film for Elliot and Hollie. This wedding was a unique blend of vibrant energy, creative freedom, and thoughtful details that truly set it apart. From the intimate moments with the alpacas to the high-energy dance floor and spectacular fireworks, every element contributed to a film that captures the spirit and joy of their special day.
If you’re looking for a wedding film that reflects your unique style and captures every special moment with creativity and flair, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
At LVIT Films, we specialise in creating personalised wedding videos highlighting the moments that matter most to you. Get in touch with us today to start planning your one-of-a-kind wedding film. Let’s make your special day unforgettable!
Until the next one!
