Barn & farm wedding videos: a local filmmaker's guide
Out here in the Ottawa Valley, the barn wedding is almost a rite of passage. Open fields, a big timber-frame barn, string lights, and a bonfire at the end of the night. They are some of my favourite weddings to film, so if you are planning one, here is what to know.
What films beautifully at a barn or farm
Barns and farms give a film so much to work with. The big open doors act like a giant soft light for the getting-ready and the ceremony. The fields around the property are perfect for portraits, especially in that last golden hour before sunset. And the rustic character, the wood, the fields, the wide sky, gives everything a warm, timeless feel that suits a documentary style perfectly.
The one thing to plan for: light and sound inside
Here is the honest catch. The inside of a barn, especially once the sun goes down and the reception starts, is often quite dark. Beautiful, but dark. That is where a videographer's low-light experience and lighting matter, so ask about it. String lights and a few well-placed lights make a huge difference on camera. Sound matters too, since barns can echo, so clean audio for your vows and speeches is worth planning for.
A few simple tips
- Time your ceremony so it is not in harsh midday sun. Later afternoon light is much kinder.
- Leave ten or fifteen minutes for portraits in the field at golden hour. It is worth it.
- String lights are your friend, both for the mood and for the camera after dark.
If you are getting married on a farm or in a barn anywhere in the Valley, I would love to film it. Tell me your venue and I can tell you exactly how I would approach your day.
