The Guest Camcorder Shot List: 40 Moments to Film at a Wedding
The short answer
The best guest shot list covers six parts of the day: getting ready, the ceremony, the drinks reception, the wedding breakfast, the speeches and the evening party. Ask guests to film short clips of 10–30 seconds, keep the camcorder moving between people, and never miss the speeches or the first dance.
Handing a camcorder to your guests is the easy part. Making sure they film the right moments is where a shot list helps. Print this out, pop a copy on every table, or send it to your "camcorder captain" before the big day.
Getting ready
- The dress, suit and shoes hanging up
- Hair and make-up in progress
- Bridesmaids or groomsmen getting dressed
- A toast before leaving
- Parents seeing the couple ready for the first time
- A message to the couple from each person in the room
The ceremony
- Guests arriving and finding their seats
- The groom or partner waiting at the front
- The entrance and walk down the aisle
- The vows (keep still and zoom in)
- The first kiss
- Signing the register
- The walk back up the aisle
- The confetti throw
Drinks reception
- Guests congratulating the couple
- The group photos happening (from behind the photographer)
- Games, lawn games or anything silly
- Kids running about
- Quick messages from guests to the couple
- The venue, the flowers and the details
The wedding breakfast
- Everyone finding their table
- The couple's entrance
- A slow pan around each table
- Table names, favours and decorations
- Toasts and clinking glasses
The speeches
- The father of the bride or first speaker
- The couple's speech
- The best man or best woman
- Reactions from the couple (film them, not just the speaker)
- Laughter from the guests
The evening do
- Cutting the cake
- The first dance from the dance floor
- Everyone joining in
- The evening buffet or food truck
- The band or DJ
- The biggest singalong of the night
- Dance-offs and dodgy moves
- Outside: sparklers, smokers, late-night chats
- The last song
- Goodbye messages to the couple
Five tips for guests
- Film in landscape, holding the camcorder with two hands.
- Keep clips short: 10–30 seconds is perfect.
- Count to three before moving the camera.
- Get close for speeches so the microphone picks up every word.
- Pass it on so the couple gets lots of viewpoints.
Frequently asked questions
How long should each clip be?
10 to 30 seconds. Short clips are easier to edit and keep the camcorder moving between guests.
Should guests film the vows?
Yes, but ask one steady guest to do it, close to the front, and to stay still rather than walking about.
