Is your wedding a-ready?
AS YOUNGER MILLENNIALS COME OF MARRYING AGE, THE RISE OF THE WEDDING CONTENT CREATOR SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING. ONE FAB DAY EDITOR JESS O’SULLIVAN DIVES INTO WHAT IT IS AND WHETHER IT’LL SOON BE THE NORM TO HAVE ONE ON YOUR BIG DAY
Aine seconds this and feels it’s important to manage expectations clearly. ‘I discourage people from using me to replace a videographer or photographer in case people are expecting a Hollywood-standard wedding film afterwards.’
The concept of the wedding content creator is so new that it would be understandable if other suppliers were apprehensive about an overlap, but Pamela and Aine have both had positive experiences so far. ‘The other suppliers have been so welcoming, especially the photographers, who can end up directing the whole day. The last thing you want to do is stand in each other’s shots, so you work together. We’re all hired to make our couple’s day amazing,’ says Pamela.
Aine agrees. ‘I ask the couples I work with to flag that I’m going to be there in advance with the other suppliers. If they haven’t heard of what we do before, I explain the process, that it’s going to be on iPhone. They quickly understand that I’m going to be capturing something totally different.
‘The camaraderie on the day is great because we really are all in it for the couple – and if the first dance doesn’t happen until midnight, we’re all there until midnight.’
Part of what clients love is the instant gratification of having all their wedding content to review and enjoy almost immediately. ‘Our turnaround time is shorter,’ says Aine. ‘You have hundreds and thousands of pieces of content, and by the time the couple go to bed they have all the raw files. Within 24 hours they have any edits, like reels and videos.’
Another common misconception is that having a wedding content creator is only for influencers or
‘SO MUCH OF WHAT SHE GOT WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY BUT I’M SO GLAD TO HAVE IT’
the social media-obsessed. There can be little bit of ‘hearts and minds’ work during the initial discovery call with clients. ‘One half of the couple, often the groom, might be apprehensive about people knowing they’ve hired someone to take content on their phone for the day,’ explains Aine.
‘Without fail by the end of the wedding day, they are the person coming up to you to say they really enjoyed having you there.’
Aine does her best to blend in at weddings, even following the dress code to look like one of the guests. Her aim is that people don’t know that she’s a wedding content creator. ‘The guests are way more comfortable around someone they think is a cousin taking videos,’ she says.
She explains that the photographer and videographer tend to take the lead setting up shots, with her very much behind them, taking behind-the-scenes content. ‘Decision fatigue can set in quickly,’ she says. ‘TikTok trends should be fun, so you don’t want to over-direct their day. It goes by so quickly, and you’re going to want your beautiful photos.’
Like every other supplier you’ll be working with for your wedding, it’s important to find someone who gets your vibe. After that, it’s totally up to you where on the spectrum you want to fall, from simple behind-thescenes videos to full-on viral trends.
‘Some people just want clips and photos for their own personal use, maybe not even to share,’ says Pamela. ‘If they’re not comfortable in front of the camera, I’m not going to make them do anything they’re not comfortable doing. I had one bride who simply wanted natural, candid content that captured the aesthetic of the day, and another who owns a social media agency, and had been thinking of flying someone in from the UK to do exactly what I’m doing. She wanted TikToks, transitions, reels and all the crazy, fun social media stuff.
‘For the most part, it’s the comfort of knowing that someone you trust is getting all the shots and videos you would want, with good angles and lighting, without you or your wedding party having to be on the phone all day.’ There is a real movement towards the ‘unplugged ceremony’, during which guests are asked to switch off their devices, and having a content creator there from early morning means that everybody can truly unplug.
Style guru and bride-to-be Ciara O’Doherty boasts over 180,000
‘THEY’RE BASICALLY YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND FOR A DAY’
followers on Instagram but one of the main reasons she has enlisted a wedding content creator for her upcoming nuptials is so that she can really be in the moment with her loved ones. She turned to Aine
capture her engagement party ahead of her New Year’s Eve wedding at the end of the year.
‘To look at my photos and the videos from my engagement party you would probably think, “she must have been on her phone all night” but in reality, myself and Yoseph showed up 15 minutes before the guests arrived, took some photos and clips with Aine and then I honestly don’t know where my phone was for the rest of the night,’ laughs Ciara.
‘We actually used her photos from our engagement party for our save the date and our website, and they really set the tone for us as a couple.
‘The funny thing is that so much of what she got will never see the light of day. I’m so glad I have it, but
I’ll never be sharing. It’s internal use only, hilarious stuff that we can laugh at, but that will never be put on social media. That’s what most people do, they take videos and photos just for themselves, not necessarily to share. They’re the fun, silly moments that are such special memories.’
Weddings are more and more becoming a multi-event affair, with an engagement party, hen or stag party, rehearsal dinner and day two party satelliting the main big day. Ciara says that having a trial with Aine before her wedding day was a great idea. ‘She put us so much at ease, especially Yoseph, who doesn’t work in social media.
We’re together now 15 years so he’s used to what I do, but TikTok dances wouldn’t be his thing.
‘I think that’s what the guys worry about – that it’s going to be some sort of spectacle. But your content creator is whatever you want them to be. They’re really great at prompting you, it’s like having your own hype woman, and I’m so glad that it’s something that’s in existence for my wedding.’
Aine believes that this could be where we see the wedding content creator role expand even further. ‘You mightn’t hire a content creator for your wedding day, but you might want someone around to capture the fun of your more relaxed day two celebration,’ she says.
‘When I tell people what I do, I often hear, “People are obsessed with social media. They need to get off it.” But people with only a few followers, who don’t post online, want this too. They’re capturing it for themselves and they’re making it easier on their wedding party.’
Aine describes herself as being ‘the girl everyone asks to take their outfit pic’ which is no surprise because it’s her job and she’s very good at it. ‘I’ve been at weddings as a guest where the bride asks the bridesmaid to take a few videos and photos, and it’s another big job for them to do,’ she says.
‘Why not hire someone who is an expert, then nobody has to be on their phone, and nobody is just hoping for the best.’
But like choosing any supplier, how do you know a content creator is good at what they do? ‘Do your research rather than go for the first person who pops up on Google Search,’ she says. ‘Start by looking at their Instagram and website, to see if you like what you see. If you don’t see the type of thing you have in mind, ask if they have examples they can send you.
‘Most of all, it’s important that you get on with your content creator, and you’ll know from that first call whether you have a rapport. They are with you the whole day, and it’s quite intimate – they’re basically your new best friend for a day.’