Storytelling in Wedding Ceremonies with tips from Hello There Films

Not all stories need words to build a memorable ceremony. It's just as essential to create space just to be. Sometimes a look can tell you more than a hundred words. Stories are told in eyes too in a gaze that makes you feel safe. They are said in touch through the act of a reassuring hug to holding hands of those you love. These small but powerful gestures are just a few ways we feel love. I've been inspired by the work of Charlotte and Craig at Hello There Films a North East based creative film duo that have the most remarkable eye for capturing stories.

I'll hand over to them to tell us more about their love of storytelling.

Story is the most important thing, and we all know love stories are the best. They're the ones everyone can relate to, the ones you have the most connection with. Romeo and Juliet, Walle-E and Eve, Ennis and Jack, Vivian and Edward, Jack and Rose, Cleopatra and Mark-Antony, Robb Stark and Talisa, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.

We create hopelessly romantic, timeless cinematic films for you to cherish forever.

Weddings are super personal experiences. We believe a wedding film should be too. Understanding the 'whys' as well as the 'whats',' hows' and 'when', means we can tell a really good story.

And a really good story makes for a really good film.

Pre-wedding shoots

Some of our couples opt-in for our 'pre-wedding shoot' - an interview-style shoot where we ask things like how they met, who made the first move, what they would want to say to each other on the morning of their wedding, what they're looking forward to most, as well as many other things; each interview is entirely different.

From our initial chat with our couples, we think of a meaningful backdrop to conduct the 'interview'; this could be where they had their first date, where they spent a lot of time early on in their relationship, a park where they walk their dog or at their home.

'Interview' makes it sound a lot more formal than it is - it's essentially a chat where we give prompts, and the couple tells us funny stories, anecdotes and memories. It's a lovely experience where we learn about our couples.

The pre-wedding shoots give us an amazing opportunity to get to know our couples, not only to put them at ease on the day but more importantly so we can understand them more.

Capturing your ceremony

Gone are the days of 'one-size-fits-all' weddings - have it your way from the very beginning. We get to know our couples. Figure out their likes and dislikes. What do they appreciate in life? Where did they meet? How did the proposal go down? Do they drink coffee or tea? How do they spend their free time? Why have they chosen the venue they've chosen?

The 'why' answers to these questions say a lot about a person.

If they say that their wedding day is about family and friends being together, then that's what we concentrate on when we film and when we're in the edit. The feeling of love and family and friends under one roof. Hugs laughs, and smiles.

If they are a romantic couple, we concentrate on them; how they are with each other, how they hold each other, their dialogue and speeches, how they look at one another.

It's your story. Let's tell it.

Hello There Films www.hellotherefilms.com

Storytelling lies at the heart of every ceremony I write here are three ideas for bringing storytelling into your ceremony

1. Pop up speeches.

Add in some mini moments of pure joy. This idea is inspired by a ceremony I created last Summer the couple invited five of their nearest and dearest to say a few words just before the couple said their vows. These VIPs had total free reign to share some wisdom or favourite memories. What unfolded was unscripted magic.

2. Take a trip down memory lane.

Just like with the pre-wedding video's Charlotte and Craig create you should think about how to capture your love story. Frame your ceremony around your narrative. You can do it by taking a few steps back to reflect on where did this begin, and it is such a beautiful thing to do. The answers to deep and meaningful questions. How did you meet? The how did you know you'd found the one? And what does marriage mean to you? These epic milestones are important and defining snapshots of who you are.

3. Write your own vows.

Forget about your promises having to be poetic or prize-winning. Just write your own truth. Rarely, you'll have this moment again to declare your love publicly, so take that space. Write from the heart and think about it in three stages. Firstly, your past what is it that makes you feel grateful? Secondly, your present how does it feel to be there in the moment? And thirdly your future what are you promising for a lifetime?

To reclaim your individuality, do your own thing.