I’m Chris at East Kent Wedding Video and I’d like to dispel these myths and tell you a few truths.

Myth 1: “We don’t need a video – we’ve got a photographer.”

Truth:
Wedding photography is essential, but wedding videography captures what photos can’t: movement, sound, and atmosphere. Imagine hearing your vows, reliving your first dance, or watching your guests laugh and cheer—these are moments only a video can preserve. You have this forever as do your children, your grand-children and beyond.

Myth 2: “Wedding videos are long and boring.”

Truth:
At East Kent Wedding Video, I produce cinematic wedding films that are dynamic, emotional, and completely personalised. Whether it’s a 3-minute highlight reel or a 20-minute documentary-style edit, your film is crafted to tell your story beautifully.

Myth 3: “Videographers get in the way.”

Truth:
I’m often told by couples, “We hardly noticed you were there!” Professional wedding videographers know how to blend in, coordinate with your photographer, and capture the day without interrupting it.

Myth 4: “It’s not worth the money.”

Truth:
Think of your wedding video as an investment. After the flowers fade and the dress is packed away, your wedding film becomes a living memory. My couples consistently tell me it’s the best decision they made.

Myth 5: “Anyone with a camera can do it.”

Truth:
Wedding videography requires more than just equipment—it demands experience, creativity, and storytelling skill. I’ve filmed weddings across Kent, Sussex, Essex, Surrey and overseas from countryside barns to coastal venues, and I know how to capture every unique detail. In fact, I’ve been a professional videographer all my working life working here in England and also as a television lighting cameraman in Australia for the Seven network.

It’s fair to say that I know how to tell a visual story with the tools I use. To this day, I treat every wedding as my first. Complacency is not a word that ever gets past me.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view my wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Common Wedding Video Myths (and the Truth Behind Them) appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Photos are beautiful. They freeze little moments in time. But video brings everything back to life. It’s your dad’s voice cracking as he gives his speech, your best friend’s infectious laugh echoing during the reception, the music, the cheers, the happy chaos on the dance floor. A wedding video doesn’t just show you how everything looked—it lets you feel how everything felt. You’ll hear the vows, the toasts, the music you danced to. You’ll see the movement, the joy, and the little moments you might not even remember happening.

And honestly, your wedding day will feel like it’s over in a blink. You’re so wrapped up in the excitement and the schedule that there’s no way you can catch every hug, every tear, every smile. A good videographer captures all those little in-between moments—your mom wiping a tear during the ceremony, your friends laughing at the bar, your grandparents slow-dancing when they think no one’s watching. These are the memories that make your day truly yours, and a video lets you see it all from a new, fuller perspective.

Your own wedding video for ever

Another beautiful thing about wedding videos today is that they’re completely personalized. This isn’t a cheesy 90s home video. Modern wedding films are stylish, emotional, cinematic. They’re edited with music, stunning visuals, sometimes even a little storytelling flair that feels like you’re watching your own movie. You can choose a short highlight reel to share with friends, a full-length version for cozy nights in, or both.

And here’s the part that always hits a little deeper: a wedding video becomes part of your family history. As time moves on, being able to hear the voices of your loved ones, to see their faces full of happiness, becomes a treasure beyond words. It’s something you can show your future kids, your grandkids—”Look, this is how much we loved each other. This is where it all began.”

Priceless!

Lastly, not everyone you love can always make it to your wedding, especially when friends and family are spread across the world. A video gives them a real, heartfelt glimpse into your day—better than any description could.

At the end of it all, when the flowers have wilted and the cake has been eaten, your wedding video will still be there. A living, breathing memory of the day your story as a married couple officially began. And honestly? That’s pretty priceless.

A wedding video is the best gift you can give yourself and may just be the best decision you’ll make (besides saying ‘I Do’)

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Why a Wedding Video is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Francesca and Chrisovalentino were married a couple of years ago. The wedding ceremony took place at the Greek Church in Margate and was a traditional Greek wedding, the third I have had the pleasure to film for this gracious family.

Traditional Greek weddings begin early in the day with lots of preparations at the bride’s house as well as the groom’s. So, the day required two of us to be there to record everything that happened long before the ceremony was even a thought in my mind.

Francesca and Chrisovalentino are a lovely couple who invited me to film their wedding because I had done the same for his brother Chris a year or so before at St Augustine’s in Westgate. That was a huge day in itself and today was going to be the same. A Greek wedding is truly a massive celebration of more than just the bride and the groom, it’s the joining of two families and everything that entails. Plus music, lots of music.

Ted Immi was the photographer for the day. I know Ted pretty well and we always work well together ensuring neither of us miss anything. That’s a good sign and makes any wedding day run like clockwork.

The ceremony took about an hour with lots of guests in a very small church but I had anticipated that and put my cameras up high. No problems and everything went smoothly.

The reception by the sea

The reception was held in Broadstairs at The Pavilion. Just down the road from me.

This is where the day really started to get busy. Lots of dancing and everyone joined in, pinning money on the bride’s wedding dress while a Greek band played traditional music through the night.

Greek weddings are like the movie. A lot of fun but boy, you really earn your fee and sleep well afterwards. I only wish I could film more of them.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Francesca and Chrisovalentino appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Ruby and David wedding video highlights.

Ruby and David were recently married and I was there to film their big day for them. Having met them a few days before the wedding day, we all knew that the weather forecast was not going to be kind to them. And that’s exactly how it turned out to be.

I arrived bright and early at St Ethelbert’s church in Ramsgate. As usual, I was the first on the scene for the day. Thankfully, I had a big umbrella, not for the first time this year at a wedding. The rain was coming down in buckets and the church was locked. Back to the car to wait. It wasn’t long before I was setting up inside, thankfully, and ready to do my very best for Ruby and David, despite the lousy weather.

Sue Farnsworth was the photographer for the day, we hadn’t met before but a lovely lady who was a pleasure to work with. Once all of the guests were safely inside, Ruby arrived in a vintage Rolls-Royce and the ceremony was underway. Church weddings are still popular though a dark and gloomy day like today means I have to really know my cameras and how to get the maximum light through the lens. I’ve been a videographer for a long time and that experience often comes into play. It serves me well.

After the ceremony, we headed off the short distance to Piermont Hall in Broadstairs for the reception. It was still raining so hopes were fading that Sue and myself would have the chance to take Ruby and David down to the beach for some video and photo opportunities. But I say…never give in to doubt.

Sunshine!

All of a sudden, the skies cleared and sunshine was all around. We grabbed the happy couple and within minutes, we were walking on sand. It was all I needed to ensure I had some good vision for the highlight video.

Ruby and David are a delightful couple, full of beans. Nothing was too serious and we made the most of it. Within an hour, the sunshine was gone for the day but we had what we wanted and marched back up the high street to the reception while locals congratulated the new Mr and Mrs.

What a wonderful day!

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Ruby and David appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Brian and Caroline were married at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in September 2020. For me as a wedding videographer, I was more than grateful that they chose me to film their wedding even though it was one of only three that year. You may remember that weddings were restricted to a maximum of fifteen guests. I personally think it was a brave decision on their part to go ahead given the restrictions.

Brian and Caroline had their wedding at St Peter and St Paul church in Saltwood, not too far from Hythe in Kent. Their ceremony was held at the Hythe Imperial Hotel on a grey autumn afternoon. I never let the weather become an obstacle when filming and I’ll use it as an advantage and that’s what I did.

The first dance …or not.

The pandemic rules restricted the amount of guests to fifteen which was fair enough but we were then informed that a first dance was not allowed. Why? Nevertheless, I wasn’t going to be thwarted. Brian and Caroline were naturally upset because the first dance is a big part of any wedding day so I asked Brian if he had the first dance song on his phone. He did. On impulse, I took the couple down to the beach and that is where they had their first dance. Never say never. Big smiles all round. It always pays to think outside the circle.

Camilla Harney was the photographer for the day. I love working alongside Camilla. We have built up a third sense on the several occasions we have worked together and always look out for each other.

The pandemic was a tough time for everyone. I was lucky to have the chance to film three weddings that year. It got me through by the skin of my teeth and hopefully we never get to experience those days again.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Brian and Caroline appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Sandra and Ollie were recently married on a beautiful summer’s day at The Blazing Donkey in Ham, near Sandwich in Kent. It was good to see the sun shining. This year has been a particularly rainy one with my weddings.

I arrived bright and early to film my location shots and guests arriving. The wedding was to take place in the gazebo so I set up and tested my cameras. The sun can light the outside background while leaving the interior of the gazebo in shadow. While our eyes can make sense of the contrast, a camera can only work within it’s settings. The trick is to get as much reflected light as possible into the gazebo so that is another reason I like to arrive early. You don’t want to be fighting the conditions while the ceremony is happening. That won’t do.

Sandra and Ollie were a lovely couple as were their guests and family. We were soon joined by the photographer for the day, Paul who is the resident photographer at the venue and a fine fellow indeed.

This was a small wedding, about fifty guests, which is a good thing. It allows me to get video messages from all the guests and that is usually a favourite part of the final wedding video once the couple have received it. I tend to include video guest messages as it is a lot of light hearted fun and I include that as part of the day’s package.

Sandra and Ollie were a delight to work with and it was my pleasure to capture their big day for them for posterity.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Sandra and Ollie appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

On a rainy day in late May, I was looking forward to filming their wedding. Measha and Jack are two lively characters which guaranteed a day full of emotional energy. This is the kind of wedding I love to film.

I had attended their rehearsal at the church a few days earlier and filmed that too. It’s important to attend a rehearsal, I believe, because it also allows the vicar to meet me. Reverand Alice was brilliant. I was using six cameras and she told me to go for it. Had I only met her the morning of the wedding, that might not have been the case. My presence at the rehearsal also eliminates any surprises on the wedding day as I now know how the service will unfold. Like studying for an examination, in a way.

The Wedding

Yes, it was raining but what can you do? I’ll tell you. You use the weather as a plus rather than a negative. It might be a colourful umbrella or guests running in from the rain. I take it as it comes and always look for a clue in whatever is happening in the sky. Thunderstorms are fantastic, rainbows too, but it is what it is on the day.

The photographer was Benjamin Toms who I had the pleasure of working with just last year. A delightful man, we looked out for each other, as I always do with whoever I’m working with. We are both there on the day to do our very best for the bride and groom, no second chances.

The ceremony was an absolute joy. Lots of singing and waving of arms. Everyone joined in. We headed outside for a photo opportunity and the rain vanished. Measha and Jack literally stopped the traffic to cross the road with eighty guests.

On to The Yarrow in Broadstairs for their reception, a venue I was only recently acquainted with. Measha and Jack arrived in a green VW Camper. Their wedding reception was unusual because they didn’t have a traditional first dance or evening music so I filmed as many video messages from the family and guests as I could. All in all, a brilliant day. I’m glad I was there.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Measha and Jack appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Lauren and Dan were recently married at the Cave Hotel and Golf Resort near Faversham, Kent. I had visited this venue once before and knew the grounds were scenic. Hoping the weather would be good, I knew I could make the best use of the surroundings. The sun was shining as I arrived and skies were blue. A perfect day ahead.

The photographer for the day was Samantha Jones. I know Sam from previous weddings and she is on my recommended list. She is delightful, full of beans and an absolute dream to work with. This was going to be a good day.

Meeting the couple before their wedding is important for me but it’s not always possible if they live far away. In this instance, I hadn’t yet met Lauren or Dan. I immediately popped in to to say hello on arrival. Lauren was getting ready upstairs at the venue which allowed me an opportunity to film some prep shots.

The wedding

The wedding ceremony took place in the gazebo outside. This allowed me to put up some high cameras which is useful as it can get quite crowded in there. I make a point of never filming from inside a gazebo so I don’t spoil the photographer’s view.

I’d like to mention John Heasman. He is an MC and ensured the day ran smoothly, a true professsional. I was happy to record and edit a short promotional video for him during the wedding breakfast.

Sam and I decided to take the happy couple out on to the golf links where I knew there were great locations. Time is always an issue. The wedding breakfast was only a half hour away. We took some great video and had them back to the marquee.

These are the weddings I love to film. A lovely couple, a fabulous venue and the best of summer.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Lauren and Dan appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Looking back recently at a few older wedding videos I’ve produced over the years, I remembered the wedding of Rebecca and Guy I filmed in 2019. The venue was the Boughton Golf Club at Boughton-under-Blean but has since changed names to The Cave Hotel and Golf Resort.

I filmed a wedding there last week and despite the name change, I was certain I had worked there before. Everything seemed different until I recalled a little hill nearby that I had used to capture a fantastic rainbow arcing over the venue. You can see that in the video. Yes, I was soaked to the skin afterwards but the opportunity was too good to ignore. It was one of those days….sunny one moment, pouring with rain the next. I felt that shot of the rainbow and the light in the sky said it all.

Direction

It’s a good thing looking back at my past work. I can see that my shooting and editing style continues to evolve. That tells me that I’m constantly looking to improve. Sometimes, I notice that I’ve moved in a direction that could benefit from one or two styles from the past and I’ll revisit that period to understand why and how to incorporate it into a whole.

Looking back at this video, I’m pretty well pleased with it five years later. I would make a couple of changes though. The couple’s voices during the vows need to be a little more prominent which means the background music has to drop so it becomes exactly that. Background.

Bruce Middlemiss was the photographer on that day and he is still out there creating wonderful work. Watching this highlight video confirms how magic is created when you work with a good photographer as a team even if you’ve only just met. It’s something I strive for at every wedding I attend as a videographer.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Looking back… appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Magdi and Andy were recently married at Chilham Village Hall in Kent. This is a beautiful venue in the countryside and one I love to film at. It’s been a while since I was last there and I always enjoy knowing I have a wedding at Chilham, one of the prettiest villages in Kent.

I’d first met Magdi and Andy at their home on a wild and stormy evening a few months before their big day. It’s always a very good idea to meet up to discuss what they want from the video and it also gives me an opportunity on a one to one basis to meet the couple in a relaxed surrounding.

Thankfully, their wedding day was blue sky and plenty of sunshine. Occasionally, I do have to face the worst of British weather when filming. Even then, I will use those conditions to my advantage.

That was not a factor to be concerned with on this day. I arrived, as usual, bright and early, two hours before the ceremony. A quick hello to Camilla Harney, the photographer for the day and I was ready to begin the day. I’d like to say that Camilla is an absolute joy to work with. I’ve met her a few times now. She is the absolute professional and one thing I know is when Camilla is around, everything will run like clockwork. We look out for each other and her name will be the one I recommend every time if asked.

Smashing of plates

Magdi is from Slovakia originally so the wedding incorporated quite a few Slovakian customs. Knowing what is happening in advance is so important. In this case, plate smashing was involved so that was always forefront in my mind once the ceremony was complete.

Magdi’s family had come over from Slovakia for the wedding. I made sure that I filmed a few video messages from them and later used Google Translate to fine tune the editing so I knew when their message actually began and ended. A very handy tool.

All in all, a fantastic day and Magdi and Andy made the perfect couple.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Magdi and Andy appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.