The Ultimate Guide to Documentary Wedding Films: Costs, Trends & Tips

Here's how documentary wedding films are changing the way love stories are captured in 2025!

18 of March, 2025

Wedding films are — and have always been — one of the most valuable possessions you carry forward from your celebrations. They are one of the primary sources that can inject nostalgia, happiness and young energy back, even on the occasion of your 50th anniversary.

But for years, wedding films have been masking the ‘story behind the scenes’ and have captured staged but photogenic memories of the events. The Documentary Wedding Film Trend is here to replace the staged with the authentic, the scripted with the unscripted, and add storytelling that takes you right back to that moment that made you laugh (or cry) your heart out!

WWI speaks to Manvi Gandotra, Founder of 1Plus1 Studio and Rajesh Satankar, Co-Founder of Knotting Bells, to delve deeper into this trend and help couples plan it effectively!

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About Documentary Wedding Films

What Is a Documentary Wedding Film?

Manvi Gandotra says, “A documentary wedding film is an unscripted, storytelling-driven approach to capturing a couple’s wedding day. Unlike traditional wedding videos, which often follow a formulaic, highlight-reel style, documentary wedding films focus on raw emotions, natural interactions, and authentic moments. The goal is to tell a story that feels real, intimate, and timeless—something that transports the couple to their wedding day every time they watch it.”

How It Differs from Traditional Wedding Videography

She clarifies, “Traditional wedding videography often involves structured shots, staged moments, and a more cinematic, polished look. It focuses on grandeur and aesthetics. Documentary wedding films, on the other hand, embrace imperfections and spontaneity. They are often shot more observationally—capturing candid moments, unscripted emotions, and honest conversations. Instead of directing the couple, we let events unfold naturally, making the film more personal and immersive.”

"There's also a difference in the overall costing," adds Rajesh Satankar. "Since documentary wedding films are more about an immersive approach, we usually need to spend more time with the couple, the family and friends to ensure we don’t miss those spontaneous moments."

Cost & Budgeting Tips

How Much Does a Documentary Wedding Film Cost?

“Depending on many factors, an average high-quality documentary wedding film can cost INR 3,00,000 to INR 15,00,000 (or more for luxury and destination weddings),” shares Gandotra.

Factors That Influence Pricing

Experience & Expertise of the Filmmaker: Seasoned teams with a strong storytelling approach charge higher fees.
Duration of the Wedding: Multi-day weddings require extensive coverage and editing, increasing costs.
Crew Size: While documentary-style films often use a smaller crew, additional videographers or specialised equipment (drone, multiple cameras) can increase the cost.
Post-Production Time: Documentary films rely on crafting compelling narratives so that editing can take longer than traditional wedding videos.
Destination & Travel Costs: If the wedding requires travel, logistics, and accommodations, that also impacts the pricing.

Key Considerations for Couples

As a wedding editor, my favourite thing about this trend is that it’s all about capturing those authentic, unscripted moments. Instead of posing for the camera and staging scenes, the unscripted wedding moments are documented in a wedding film. Your video stirs recollection from your wedding events that might have lasted only 2-3 days but will be remembered ‘as it is’ in the years to come! “For instance, when the bride walks down the aisle, the groom’s reaction—the gleam in his eyes—speaks volumes. Or when the drunk friends are already celebrating with unfiltered fun and laughter, their natural expressions make it better,” Satankar confirms!

Gandotra also has tips for couples to ease into the documentary wedding film shoot behind the scenes! She shares:

Trust Your Filmmaker: Documentary-style films require a strong connection between the couple and the filmmaker. Trust is key—the film feels genuine when couples are comfortable being themselves.
Embrace Imperfection: The beauty of documentary filmmaking lies in the real moments—the teary-eyed vows, the unscripted laughter, the quiet in-between scenes.
Allow for Natural Lighting and Unscripted Moments: Unlike traditional films, where lighting setups are controlled, documentary films thrive in natural settings. Giving the team freedom to move and adapt to different lighting conditions enhances the film’s authenticity.
Audio Matters: Capturing honest conversations, vows, and speeches makes a documentary film what it is!

How to Choose The Right Videographer for Documentary Films

If you are keen to adopt this 2025 Wedding Videography trend, choosing an ideal videographer with expertise in shooting documentary wedding films is essential! Gandotra says, “Look for the following strengths in your videographer’s portfolio before you hire them”:

Storytelling Approach: Review their previous work to see if their films evoke real emotions and tell a compelling story.
Strong Audio Work: A filmmaker focusing on crisp, natural audio (vows, ambient sounds, conversations) will create a more immersive film.
Editing Style: The editing should reflect a narrative flow rather than beautiful visuals. A documentary film should feel like a heartfelt journey, not just a series of clips.

Planning Your Videography Timeline

Planning your wedding photography timeline is an essential step in the wedding planning journey that couples often miss out on! If you have requested a documentary wedding film from your video team, make minor adjustments to your timeline to help them quickly capture the moments. Satankar shares, “I’d suggest couples consider a slightly relaxed schedule, allowing some buffer time around the main events to capture those in-between interactions. For instance, the moments between the bride and her bridesmaids, the groom and his groomsmen as they’re getting ready, or the parents' reactions once the bride and groom are all set, the bride receives last-minute adjustments on her dress, the chaos of the shoe-stealing ritual, or the family’s excitement during the baraat. These imperfect, unscripted moments feel more like memories and less like movies—they’re about you and your day, just as it was.”

Personalising a Documentary Wedding Film

“Personalisation is key in creating wedding documentary films! Couples should bring elements that mean something to them—a specific song, a meaningful place, or a family tradition. Share those little details, like a unique story or an inside joke. For example, you may have a favourite spot where you first met or a song that brings back memories of your first date. We can find ways to weave these moments into the film, making it feel uniquely yours. The more we know about what makes you both tick, the better we can capture your story,” Satankar adds!

Gandotra adds a few tips to help couples add unique moments to their videos:

Narration in Their Own Words: Personal letters, vows, or voiceovers recorded before or after the wedding add a unique, intimate touch.
Incorporating Family & Friends: Real conversations, anecdotes from parents, and behind-the-scenes clips of loved ones make a film feel richer.
Using Their Own Music Choices: Couples can incorporate songs that hold meaning for their relationship instead of generic wedding tracks.
Cultural & Personal Traditions: Highlighting special customs, rituals, and unique moments that define their love story makes the film truly theirs.
Filming Pre-Wedding Moments: Documenting the build-up—dress fittings, planning stress, and casual date nights—adds depth to the final film.

As a couple, you have a unique story and an iconic journey of your own, and crafting a film that showcases the story of your wedding day and captures the essence of your celebration is the biggest wedding videography trend this year! If you plan to get a documentary wedding film made, don't forget to share it with us on socialmedia@weddingwire.in. We would love to feature the videos that meet our content guidelines!

Essential Guides for Your Wedding Planning Journey: