Creating Cinematic Magic: The Art of Super 8 Wedding Films

Imagine a vintage-style wedding video to look back on in 5, 10, or 30 years. A genuine and meaningful wedding film that captures the intentional and raw moments of one of the best days of your life. A wedding film that feels like a home movie. It’s gritty, nostalgic, and perfectly imperfect. It truly takes you back to that moment and allows you to feel all of the feels of the day you chose one another for the rest of your lives!

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I have been a PNW wedding and elopement photographer for over 10 years now and when I discovered Super 8 a few years back, I was immediately hooked! There is just something about how raw and real Super 8 footage is. In the age of high-definition digital videos, I am obsessed with the nostalgic charm of Super 8 wedding videography. It adds such a unique way to look back on your wedding day years from now. Capturing your elopement or wedding on film is perfect for the non-traditional couple who loves doing things their own way!

So, in this blog, I’m going to tell you a little more about how special Super 8 wedding videography is and give you all the reasons why it should be a must on your wedding day!

couples running through the garden at their garden wedding

What is Super 8 Film?

Okay, so what the heck is Super 8? Super 8 is like a messy home video of the way you would see yourselves if you could. In more technical terms, it’s an analog film medium from the 60s. One roll of film is about 3 min and is shot on Kodak film with vintage cameras.

A Super 8 wedding video is much shorter than your typical wedding video but has so much character and vintage charm. It captures your wedding day in such a unique way with how the light leaks and the graininess of it. But its imperfections are somehow what makes it so perfect!

Why Should Capture Your Wedding on Film?

Okay, I could go on and on about how much I love Super 8 wedding videos, but to keep it short and sweet, here are the main reasons I think it should be a must on your wedding day!

1. Raw and Real

When shooting Super 8 film, you only have 3 minutes of film so it’s not about creating a picture-perfect film. It's about capturing the real and raw moments of the day. It’s about capturing what your young romance feels like. It’s playful. It’s jerky and spontaneous and in the moment.

2. Timeless Aesthetic with Home-Movie Vibes

Super 8 film has such a distinct and timeless visual quality that sets it apart from modern wedding videos. The grainy texture and warm tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, giving your wedding video a classic and cinematic feel. The vintage look of Super 8 film can take you back in time to your wedding day, reliving the romantic and intimate moments all over again.

3. Genuine Emotional Connection

Have you ever looked back on home videos from when you were a kid? They truly make you feel a different type of way. The footage is a little shaky and less saturated, but that makes the moments captured even more special. It captured a moment in time just as it was. The format's imperfections often enhance the raw and genuine emotions captured on film. The unique visual characteristics of Super 8 can evoke a sense of intimacy and nostalgia, making the viewer feel more connected to that moment in time.

4. It’s a Unique Way to Capture Your Wedding

While I absolutely love traditional wedding videography, there is just something so unique about a Super 8 wedding video. The soft focus, subtle vignettes, and film grain create a dreamlike quality that enhances the storytelling aspect of your wedding video. If you’re obsessed with vintage charm like myself, then a Super 8 wedding film is definitely the way to go!

5. Short & Sweet

While I love longer wedding videos, I think it is so amazing to be able to have a 3-minute highlight reel of one of the best days of your life. You can watch it on your anniversary every year and the grittiness of the film makes it that much more nostalgic and emotional.

Moments on Film That We Love

A Romantic Iceland Elopement Captured on Film

A day of pure bliss, love, and adventure with some of the most amazing people in one of the most beautiful locations. Looking back at this Iceland elopement, capturing it on film gave it the perfect vintage home movie vibe. On a cloudy day in Iceland surrounded by nothing but greenery and rolling hills, this documentary-style film allows you to truly feel the emotion and love of their special day.

Intimate Wedding at The Griffin House

With the vintage charm of The Griffin House wedding venue, capturing this beautiful wedding day on film was a must. With weddings, there is so much that goes on that the day can feel like it flies by. They received a 6-minute documentary-style film that allows them to relive those special moments over and over again as many times as they want in a more nostalgic way.

Super 8 Wedding Videography FAQs

How long is a Super 8 wedding video?

It can range anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes. I personally have options for 3-5 minutes and 5-10 minutes.

How much does Super 8 wedding videography cost?

Obviously, I can’t speak for what others charge, but my starting price for a Super 8 wedding video is $2500. Most of my clients add this to their wedding photography package.

Is Super 8 less expensive than full-service wedding videography?

Yes, Super 8 can definitely be less expensive and is a great alternative for a couple who can’t afford full-service videography but still want a stunning wedding video.

Can we capture our elopement on film?

Absolutely!! Capturing elopements on film is one of my favorite things to do. Elopements are so intimate and personal and Super 8 truly captures the emotions so well! Whether it’s a day spent exploring in the mountains or a cozy Airbnb elopement, a vintage film will be something so special for you to look back on years from now.

What kind of camera do you use to capture Super 8?

Your day will be documented on my vintage Canon 814 + Canon 310.

How will we receive our Super 8 video?

Capturing a super 8 film is a little different than a digital video. After your session, elopement, or wedding day, I will send off your footage to a lab to be processed and scanned. Once I receive the footage back, I will edit it together, add music, and send it off to you. You will receive a link for downloading and sharing.

How will we watch our film?

Don’t worry it’s super simple and you won’t need anything fancy to watch it. I will send you a link that you can use to watch it directly on your phone or computer.

Kind Words From Clients

“Devin is just as talented as she is kind, warm, and fun. We planned a private elopement and wanted gorgeous photos and videos to share with our loved ones, and that’s exactly what we got. She gave us options on our itinerary, and location, lent us decor, and created such a personalized plan to make our day truly unique. ..."

- Autumn + Konor

"She went above and beyond for us and helped us every step of the way; not to mention her work is INCREDIBLE! Devin not only gave us photos and videos that we will cherish forever, but memories, as well. We cannot recommend her enough!"

- Colten + Kyra

Washington Super 8 Wedding Film Packages

Super 8mm films are the perfect add-on to any photography elopement or wedding package. You can add Super 8 on to your wedding photography collection, or book it all on its own.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

A documentary-style vintage film full of raw and real candid moments
Beautifully edited storytelling film of your day set to custom music
3-10 minutes of vintage Super 8 footage filmed on a real Super 8 camera
Your own personal hype woman who happens to be capturing the special moments
Video link for downloading + sharing
Highlight clip for social sharing
A film 100% unique to your love and your day
Raw, real, genuine connection captured like an old home movie

Learn more

What is Super 8 Film?