Wedding videography in Chicago shaped by a decade of documentary cinematography. Films are observed rather than staged, edited with restraint, and built around the moments that matter rather than the shot list that’s easy. Most wedding clients receive a cinematic highlight film (4-7 minutes), a documentary edit of the ceremony and toasts, and a vertical social-ready cut for sharing in the weeks after.
The approach
A documentary discipline means the camera is patient. We don’t choreograph the first look or interrupt the day to recreate moments — the work is to find the light, anticipate the gesture, and stay quiet enough that everyone forgets we’re there. The result is a film that feels like memory rather than performance. Couples who care about the difference between wedding video and wedding cinematography tend to find this approach — and the work that comes out of it pairs naturally with the kind of photographers who think the same way.
What coverage looks like
Standard coverage runs 8-10 hours, beginning with getting-ready footage and concluding with reception highlights. Two operators by default — one anchoring the wide story, one capturing detail and reaction. Audio is captured cleanly from officiant lavaliers, ceremony pickups, and toast microphones; nothing is reconstructed in post. Drone work is available where venues and FAA airspace permit (we are Part 107 licensed for downtown Chicago and Class B airspace). Multi-day weddings, destination work, and second-shooter coverage are quoted by scope.
What you receive
A highlight film of 4-7 minutes, color-graded and scored with properly licensed music. A documentary edit of the ceremony (full ceremony, minimally cut) and a separate edit of the toasts. A vertical social-ready cut for sharing in the weeks after the wedding. All deliverables are color-graded on a calibrated suite, sound-designed, and delivered via a private branded gallery. Raw footage masters are available on request. Typical delivery is 8-12 weeks from the wedding day for the highlight film, with the documentary edits following shortly after.
- 8-10 hours of two-operator wedding coverage
- Cinematic highlight film (4-7 min, color-graded, scored)
- Full documentary ceremony edit
- Full documentary toasts edit
- Vertical social-ready cut
- Properly licensed music
- Drone coverage where venue and airspace permit
questions, answered
Do you cover the whole day or just highlights?
Both. Standard coverage is 8-10 hours from getting-ready through reception highlights with two operators. The final delivery includes the cinematic highlight film plus separate documentary edits of the ceremony and toasts so you have both the short emotional piece to share and the full record of what was said.
Will you work alongside my photographer?
Yes — we work alongside photographers all day, every wedding. The work goes best when video and photo teams are aligned on coverage map and trust each other to stay out of each other's frames. Happy to coordinate with your photographer in advance.
Can you fly a drone at our wedding?
Where the venue allows it and FAA airspace permits, yes. We're Part 107 licensed and file LAANC authorization for downtown Chicago and Class B airspace. Drone work is most useful for venue establishing shots and ceremony scale; we don't fly directly over guests.
wedding videography in chicago in your area
Based in Jefferson Park, working across the city and the inner suburbs. A few of the neighborhoods and towns where Em has filmed recent projects:
selected projects
also offering aerial
FAA-licensed drone services for Chicago commercial, construction, and events. LAANC authorized for Class B Chicago airspace.
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