Wedding Videography In Seattle: A Guide To What You Need to Know
Why Wedding Videography Matters in Seattle
Seattle offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your wedding day with its stunning mix of water, mountains, and city views. But let’s be honest – Seattle’s weather can be tricky! A good wedding videographer knows how to work with the soft light of cloudy days and capture those rare sun breaks that make everything sparkle. In this guide to wedding videography in Seattle we’ll explain everything you need to know.
Think about it: while photos freeze moments in time, videos bring them to life with sound and motion. You’ll hear:
- The crack in your partner’s voice during vows
- Your mom’s laugh during the toast
- That song that got everyone on the dance floor
Seattle Seasonal Tip: Each season brings its own magic to wedding videos:
- Spring: Cherry blossoms and fresh greenery
- Summer: Long, golden evening light
- Fall: Rich colors and cozy indoor settings
- Winter: Intimate lighting and the city’s twinkling lights
When friends pull out phones to record parts of your day, they mean well. But there’s a big gap between these clips and what a pro can create. Professional videographers bring quality gear that handles Seattle’s low light, skills to tell your story, and backup plans for our famous rain.
Your wedding video will be the time machine that takes you back to how it felt to celebrate in this beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest.
Watch these couples reacting to reliving their wedding for the first time through video.
A Guide to Wedding Videography in Seattle: Popular Wedding Videography Styles
Seattle couples have several video styles to choose from for their big day. Each style captures your wedding in a unique way.
Documentary-Style Wedding Films
This approach captures your day as it happens naturally. The videographer stays in the background, recording real moments without staging them. You’ll get an honest story of your wedding day, including those small, tender moments you might miss.
Cinematic Wedding Videos
Cinematic videos look and feel like short films. They include:
- Artistic camera angles
- Smooth, flowing shots
- Creative editing with music
- Color grading for a movie-like feel
These videos focus on making your wedding look like a Hollywood production, often shorter but with high visual impact.
Highlight Reels vs. Full-Day Coverage
Highlight Reels:
- 5-10 minutes long
- Show the best moments of your day
- Perfect for sharing online
- Lower cost option
Full-Day Coverage:
- Multiple hours of footage
- Includes ceremony, speeches, and reception in full
- Captures all key moments
- Great for couples who want to relive everything
Drone Footage Options
Drone shots add stunning views to your wedding video, especially at Seattle venues with:
- Mountain backdrops
- Waterfront settings
- Garden venues
- City skyline views
Just remember that some Seattle venues have drone restrictions, so check with your videographer about what’s possible at your location.
A Guide to Wedding Videography in Seattle: Best Seattle Wedding Venues for Videography
Seattle offers some amazing places to film your wedding day. Let’s look at venues that will make your video shine:
Waterfront Venues with Scenic Backdrops
Nothing says Seattle like water views! Venues along Puget Sound or Lake Washington give your video natural beauty with:
- The Admiral’s House: Perched in Magnolia with views over Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier on clear days.
- Salty’s on Alki Beach: Waterfront venue with sweeping views of the Seattle skyline over Elliott Bay — beautiful for golden‑hour footage.
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront: Downtown location along the water — great for cityscape + waterfront combination.
Indoor Venues with Great Lighting
Seattle’s rainy reputation means smart couples consider indoor options with:
- Large windows for natural light
- High ceilings for better sound recording
- Warm lighting that flatters skin tones
- Sodo Park: Industrial‑chic venue with high ceilings and character, right in SoDo.
- Kimpton Alexis Hotel: Boutique hotel venue in downtown Seattle with luxe interiors and storybook charm.
The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake, WA
The Kelley Farm combines rustic charm with video-friendly features:
- Open barn layout with lots of natural light
- Beautiful garden ceremony space
- Covered areas for rainy day backup
- Rural setting just an hour from Seattle
Treehouse Point: A wooded, intimate venue nestled in nature, just outside of Seattle. Ideal for an escape‑style wedding video.
Urban Seattle Venues with Iconic City Views
For a more modern feel, city venues offer:
- Skyline backdrops featuring the Space Needle
- Rooftop settings for panoramic shots
- Industrial spaces with cool textures and light
- City energy that creates a lively atmosphere
Some favorites are:
- Smith Tower Historic charm with a 360‑degree view of downtown from the Observatory.
- The Columbia Tower Club Sky‑high ceremonies and receptions with panoramic city lights and mountain views.
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle Luxury downtown setting overlooking the waterfront and Seattle Great Wheel.
- The Roof at The State Hotel A stylish rooftop space steps from Pike Place Market with skyline vie
The best venues have good access for camera gear, flexible spaces for different shots, and staff who work well with video teams.
When to Book Your Seattle Wedding Videographer
Booking your Seattle wedding videographer needs to happen earlier than you might think. Most couples in Seattle secure their video team 9-12 months before their wedding date. This isn’t just playing it safe—it’s smart planning.
Seattle’s wedding season gets busy fast:
- Summer (June-September): The most popular season with the best weather and longest daylight hours
- Fall (September-October): Gorgeous foliage and more available dates
- Spring (April-May): Beautiful blooms but higher chance of rain
For summer weddings, start reaching out to videographers at least a year in advance. Top Seattle videographers often book up 12-15 months ahead for prime summer Saturdays.
Quick Tip: If you’re planning a wedding during peak season, contact videographers as soon as you’ve set your date and venue.
When you find a videographer whose style you love, don’t wait to book. Many Seattle couples secure their date with a small deposit (usually 25-50% of the total package). Most videographers work on a first-come, first-served basis—so that perfect match you found might be gone tomorrow.
Keep in mind that many Seattle videographers book only one wedding per weekend to ensure they can focus fully on each couple. This limits their availability even further, making early booking all the more important.
What to Look for in a Seattle Wedding Videographer
Finding the right videographer for your Seattle wedding takes more than just a quick search online. Here’s what you should focus on:
Check Their Portfolio Carefully
- Watch full wedding videos, not just highlight reels
- Look for films shot in lighting and settings like your venue
- Pay attention to audio quality (often overlooked but crucial!)
- Notice how they capture emotions and small moments
Smart Questions for Your Consultation
- “How do you handle Seattle’s changing weather?”
- “What’s your backup plan if equipment fails?”
- “How will you work with my photographer?”
- “Can you show me a wedding you filmed at a similar venue?”
A Guide to Wedding Videography in Seattle: Weather-Ready Equipment
Seattle’s rain and low light can be tough on video quality. Your videographer should have:
- Weather-sealed cameras
- Low-light capable equipment
- Clear audio solutions for windy venues
- Lighting gear for dark reception spaces
Look for someone who knows Seattle well and has shot at venues like yours before. Local know-how makes a big difference when dealing with our city’s unique lighting and weather patterns.
A Guide to Wedding Videography in Seattle: How to Prepare for Your Wedding Video Shoot
Planning ahead makes all the difference for your wedding video. Here are some simple steps to help you get ready:
Timeline Planning
Work with your videographer at least a month before your wedding. Share your day’s schedule so they know when key moments happen. Good planning means better footage.
Pro Tip: Add 15-30 minutes of buffer time between events. This gives your video team time to set up at each location.
Photographer Coordination
Talk to both your photo and video teams ahead of time. When they work together well:
- They won’t block each other’s shots
- They can share lighting setups
- Your photos and video will have a similar feel
Getting Ready Tips
The “getting ready” part tells the start of your wedding story. Make it better by:
- Choose a room with natural light if possible
- Clear away clutter and shopping bags
- Have special items ready (letters, gifts, family heirlooms)
- Tell your wedding party the videographer is coming
- For the bride getting her dress on, turn off all background music that might be copyrighted and unusable in your highlight film.
Seattle Must-Capture Moments
Make sure your videographer knows about any special moments:
- First looks with Seattle’s skyline or waterfront
- Reactions to weather changes (Seattle’s rain can be magical on video!)
- Sunset shots if the weather permits
- Any local traditions you’re including
Remember to be yourself on camera. The most touching moments happen when you forget the camera is there and just enjoy your special day.
FAQ About Seattle Wedding Videography
Got questions about wedding videography in Seattle? You’re not alone! Here are answers to the most common questions couples ask:
How many hours of coverage do I need?
Most Seattle couples choose 8-10 hours of coverage. This lets us film:
- Getting ready moments
- The ceremony
- Key reception events
- First dance and toasts
Working with a company like ours, you’ll never have to worry about how much coverage you need. All of our packages include full-day coverage (up to 12 hours).
Will bad weather ruin my wedding video?
Not at all! Seattle rain can add a romantic feel to your video. Good videographers come prepared with:
- Weather-sealed cameras
- Clear umbrellas as props
- Backup lighting for darker indoor settings
- Experience shooting in typical Seattle conditions
In fact, those misty Seattle days create soft, flattering light that looks amazing on film.
Can I choose the music for my wedding video?
Yes, with some limits. Your options include:
- Licensed music (videographer purchases rights)
- Royalty-free music libraries
For public sharing on social media, licensed or royalty-free music is a must. Using popular songs without permission risks copyright issues and takedowns.
A Guide to Wedding Videography in Seattle: Working with Limited Edition Productions
At Limited Edition Productions, we tell your love story through film in a way that feels true to you. We don’t just show up with cameras – we get to know you first.
What makes us different?
- Personal connection – We meet before your wedding via zoom to learn what matters most to you
- Weather-ready gear – Our equipment handles Seattle’s rain and low light without a problem
- Unobtrusive filming – Guests often tell us they hardly noticed we were there
We bring 4K cameras, stabilizers, and audio recorders to capture clear sound during your vows – even with Elliott Bay waves in the background.
Our past clients say they love how we blend into their day while still capturing all the important moments. We don’t make you pose awkwardly or take you away from your guests for hours.
Want to see if we’re the right fit? Check out our work at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake or contact us to chat about your wedding plans over coffee.
