Highlight film vs full film vs raw footage

When you start comparing wedding videographers, you will run into a few terms that are not always explained. Here is what they actually mean, so you know exactly what you are getting.

The highlight film

This is the short, cinematic piece, usually three to eight minutes, set to music, that captures the feel of your whole day in a way you will actually rewatch and share. For most couples, this is the film they show everyone. It is the heart of what I do.

The full or feature film

A longer edit, often five to fifteen minutes or more, that tells the fuller story: more of the vows, more of the speeches, more of the day from start to finish. If you want to relive the day in detail, this is the one.

Documentary edits: ceremony and speeches

These are longer, lightly edited versions of specific moments, your full ceremony and your full speeches, played closer to real time. Not cinematic, just complete. Wonderful for the parts you will want in full one day.

Raw footage

This is every clip, straight off the camera, unedited. One thing worth knowing: raw footage is usually flat and grey, because it is filmed in a format called log that is designed to be color graded afterward. So if you want your raw footage, ask whether it comes color graded, because ungraded footage does not look like the finished film.

What most couples actually want

For most people, a highlight film plus a social teaser covers it beautifully. My Classic Collection gives you both, plus bonus clips of the ceremony, speeches, and first dance. And whatever you choose, ask about audio, because clean sound is what makes any of these worth watching again.