Understanding Wedding Videography - Part 3: What’s a Multi-Cam Edit?

This is, without a doubt, one of the questions I get most from couples, “What is a Multi-Cam Edit?” The explanation of this is simple. Basically, a multi-camera edit is a start-to-finish video of either your ceremony or speeches that allows you to watch these important parts in their entirety as they appear on the day. The multi-camera aspect of this comes from the fact that I will set up multiple cameras throughout the reception or ceremony venue, which allows me to film from different angles and focus points. Then, when I am editing together either your ceremony or reception, using the software Premiere Pro, I can switch between the different camera angles depending on either the best available shot or the part of the ceremony/speeches that should be given primary focus.  For example, focusing on the bride when she is saying her vows, etc.

It’s probably easier if I just show you an example so you can see what this looks like for yourself. Please see below for an example of a complete start-to-finish multi-camera ceremony edit:

You might be wondering why you don’t have more of those examples on your website. The answer is very simple. Unless you are the couple or are related to the couple – watching someone’s ceremony (that you don’t know) would not be very interesting.  Some have compared it to watching your fingernails grow. Not fun.

However, for that specific couple and their family – this is a treasured memory that you can’t put a price on. Just think about how cool it would be to watch your grandparent’s wedding ceremony. You could see your grandparents as young people and see all the people that were there. That’s what having a multi-camera ceremony or speech gives you – an irreplaceable gift that can be shown in your family for generations to come. That is something you cannot put a price on.

Milton Outdoor Wedding. Photo by Emma Gladman via Emma Spring Photo