One of the questions I get asked most often — and I mean most often — goes something like this:
“Lucy, what’s actually in a wedding video? Like, what do we get?”
And honestly? It’s a brilliant question. Because “wedding video” isn’t one single thing. It’s not a box you tick and move on. What you get can look completely different depending on what you choose. And the thing is, most couples don’t even know there are choices to make until they start looking into it.
So let me break it down properly. A straight-talking guide to the three main types of wedding videography — the reel, the highlight film, and the full documentary — so you can figure out exactly what’s right for you and your wedding.
Let’s start with the one you’ve probably seen all over Instagram.
The Wedding Reel (60–90 Seconds)
You know those gorgeous 60-second clips that pop up on your feed, set to a sweeping piano track, cutting perfectly to the beat? The ones that make you stop scrolling and think “I want that”? That’s the reel.
What it is: A fast, music-driven short film, usually 60 to 90 seconds long. It’s the highlight of the highlights — the absolute best moments, edited tightly together. The kiss. The first look. That tear in your dad’s eye. The confetti throw. All set to a single track, timed to perfection.
Who it’s for: Couples who love sharing on social media, want something quick and shareable, or are booking a videographer as an add-on. It’s also for anyone who prefers quality over quantity — one perfect minute over twenty good ones.
The pros: It’s punchy. It’s powerful. It makes you look and feel incredible. And it’s incredibly easy to share — you’ll actually watch it again and again, and so will everyone else.
The catch: It’s short. Really short. You won’t see your full vows. You won’t see your gran dancing to ABBA. You won’t get the full story. The reel is an emotion, not a narrative. It captures the feeling of your day, but not the story of it.
Typical price range: £300–£600 as an add-on, or included in most mid-range packages.
The Highlight Film (3–8 Minutes)
This is the sweet spot. The Goldilocks of wedding videography. And honestly? It’s what most of my couples end up choosing.
What it is: A cinematic short film that tells the story of your wedding day in three to eight minutes. It’s carefully edited to weave together key moments — your vows, the speeches, the first dance — with natural audio, music, and beautiful visuals. You’ll hear the laughter, the shaky voices, the cheers. It’s not just what happened; it’s how it felt.
The pros: This is where my heart truly lives. The highlight film gives you the best of both worlds — it’s cinematic enough to make you cry every single time you watch it, but it still tells the full story of your day. Your vows will be in there. Your dad’s speech will be in there. That moment when you and your partner snuck away for five quiet minutes together — that’ll be in there too.
The catch: You won’t see everything. Some moments will inevitably be left on the cutting room floor. And it takes real skill to edit a highlight film well — crafting a narrative arc that genuinely moves people.
Typical price range: £800–£1,500 as a standalone, or included in most premium packages.
The Full Documentary (30–90+ Minutes)
This is the full story, start to finish. The wedding film equivalent of a feature-length documentary — and yes, I absolutely love making these.
What it is: An unbroken narrative of your entire wedding day, from getting ready in the morning to the last dance of the evening. It includes your full wedding ceremony, the complete speeches, the whole first dance, and extended sequences throughout the day. Nothing significant is cut.
Who it’s for: Couples who want to relive every single moment, have family overseas who couldn’t make it, or want to show their children one day what their wedding was actually like — the full experience, not just the polished version.
The pros: Nothing gets left out. You’ll hear your full vows years from now. The full documentary is the closest thing to time travel — it genuinely transports you back to your wedding day in a way that nothing else can.
The catch: Let’s be honest — you probably won’t watch the full 90-minute film every anniversary. Most couples watch it once or twice, then dip into sections. It also takes significantly more editing time, so costs more.
Typical price range: £1,200–£2,500 as a standalone.
What Most Couples Actually Do
Here’s the honest truth about what I see most often across the Midlands and Cotswolds. Most couples choose a package that includes both a highlight film and a full documentary.
You get the highlight film — the polished, shareable, cry-every-time version — which you’ll watch on anniversaries, send to friends, and probably post every year.
And you get the full documentary, which sits in your library like a treasure chest. When you want to hear your grandmother’s voice reading a poem, or watch your partner’s full speech, or show your children what your wedding day looked like — it’s there.
Combined package price range: £1,500–£3,000.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ask yourself these three questions:
1. How often will you actually watch it? If you’re not a big watcher, the reel might be all you need. If you know you’ll want to relive it, go for the highlight or documentary.
2. Who are you sharing it with? For social media, the reel or highlight works best. For relatives overseas who couldn’t make it, the full documentary is priceless.
3. What does your gut say? The reel feels exciting. The highlight feels emotional. The documentary feels complete. There’s no wrong answer.
A Personal Note from Me
I’ve been filming weddings across the UK for years now, from cosy barn weddings in the Cotswolds to grand country house celebrations in the Midlands. And in all that time, I’ve never once had a couple say they regretted investing in their wedding video.
What I have had is couples telling me they wish they’d gone for the full documentary. Not because the highlight wasn’t beautiful — it was. But because there’s something irreplaceable about having the complete story.
Your wedding day goes by in a blur. Everyone says it, and it’s true. But a good wedding film — whether it’s 90 seconds or 90 minutes — gives you the gift of going back. Of seeing the things you missed. Of hearing the words you didn’t quite catch through the tears. Of feeling that same butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling, years later, just as strongly as you did on the day.
If you’d like to chat about what style might suit you best, pop over to my contact page. Let’s have a proper conversation about your wedding.
Good, honest advice about what will work for you.
Love, Lucy x