As a Metro Detroit videographer, I have the privilege of capturing special moments across the state of Michigan, but when I was asked to film a close friend’s wedding at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Shelby Township, Michigan, it felt like more than just another project. Filming a wedding ceremony is always an honor, but doing so for a friend adds an emotional layer that heightens both the experience and the responsibility.
Weddings are life-changing events, and for many couples serves as the perfect backdrop for such a milestone. As a videographer, being chosen to document this significant occasion is not only a professional achievement, but also an incredible honor.
The Honor of Capturing a Wedding in Shelby Township, Michigan
Weddings are personal, intimate affairs, and to be handed the responsibility of preserving these memories forever shows immense trust. This was especially true at The Puchovan Wedding, where the groom and bride relied on me to capture their love story. The church, with its balance of modern and traditional architecture and spacious atmosphere, provided a great setting. Being able to highlight this location was a rewarding experience. The moments I filmed at this church will live on as a piece of wedding history, not just for the couple, but for their family and friends.
The Challenge of Filming Solo at St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Often, as a solo videographer, the challenge is always to be in multiple places at once. With a wedding taking place at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, I had to carefully plan how I would capture the ceremony from different angles while staying discreet. The church’s layout is both spacious and intricate, and being a one-person video team meant I had to be strategic to ensure that no important moments were missed.
St. John Vianney offers an elegant, traditional setting for a wedding, but its layout posed unique challenges for me as a videographer. I had to cover every angle: from the bridal party walking down the aisle to the subtle glances shared by the couple during their vows. Weddings often feature large guest lists, and I needed to navigate through the crowd without disrupting the flow of the ceremony.
Strategies for Productive and Creative Solo Videography in Metro Detroit
Pre-planning for Local Venues: Having filmed weddings across Metro Detroit and across the nation, I’ve learned the importance of familiarizing myself with the venues in advance to arriving on location. For this wedding, I visited St. John Vianney Catholic Church beforehand to map out where key moments would take place. Understanding the lighting, acoustics, and layout of the space in advance allowed me to create a plan that minimized surprises on the wedding day.
Minimal Gear for Maximum Efficiency: Weddings can sometimes be fast-paced, so I chose to work with a minimalist setup, perfect for mobility within a venue like St. John Vianney. This allowed me to capture moments seamlessly without obstructing guests’ views. The church’s high ceilings and detailed architecture meant I had to focus on getting wide-angle shots, while still capturing intimate moments between the couple.
For another great wedding related project that required a very strategic approach, check out the wedding project I put together for The Gurjack Family in Rome, Italy.
Discreet Filming: One of my goals as a videographer is to remain unobtrusive or practically invisible. The last thing a couple wants is a videographer distracting from their special day. I used natural light to blend into the background and relied on minimal equipment to keep a low profile. This strategy helped ensure that the couple and their guests remained the focus of the event.
Local Inspiration for Candid Shots: Shelby Township is home to a tight-knit community, and many guests at this wedding were familiar with each other. This camaraderie made candid moments easy to capture. Whether it was family members sharing a laugh or friends reminiscing, the genuine joy shared at this wedding was a testament to the couple’s strong local ties to Metro Detroit. These candid shots are what make wedding videos special and personal.
Editing for a Detroit Audience: Crafting a Timeless Wedding Video
Editing a wedding video is where all the planning and footage come together. The goal is to create a narrative that reflects the couple’s chemistry, while also highlighting the beauty of the venue—St. John Vianney Catholic Church—and the warmth of their guests. During the editing process, I wove together footage from key moments at the church, ensuring that the elegance of the ceremony and the emotional exchanges were perfectly preserved.
Filming and editing a wedding for The Puchovan Family was an experience I’ll always cherish. Weddings carry a strong sense of family and community, which makes them all the more rewarding to capture. Being a solo videographer presented challenges, but the trust my friends placed in me and the opportunity to document such a significant day made every challenge worthwhile.
If you’re looking for a videographer in Metro Detroit or Shelby Township, Michigan, who can capture your wedding day with care and creativity, I’d be honored to help you preserve your special moments, just as I did for my close friend.
