Grooms in Cornwall and Devon
Want to reach dizzying new heights on W-day? Capturing your day from an eye in the sky might be just what you're searching for...
We may be biased, but we think Cornwall and Devon are the most naturally stunning counties in the UK. There are hundreds of wedding venues, each with their own unique style, situated in areas of natural beauty. Where else can you move from rugged cliff edge locations to sweeping sandy beaches and rustic woodland - all within a ten-minute drive? Wed has been featuring sweeping panoramas from these locations for nearly a decade, but in recent years, a new technology has given rise to seeing things from a different perspective - from the sky.
Down South Point of View
The rise of the drone
Until quite recently, the idea of aerial (drone is a relatively new term) footage was exclusively for those with a �100k budget. It required a helicopter, or the kind of heavyweight octocopter rig used for Hollywood movies, and unless you were selling your wedding images to Hello! magazine, it really wasn't practical. But in the last five years, the drone has become increasingly prolific. The ability to send a piece of consumer-priced tech into the sky, recording everything in full HD, is groundbreaking. And things have been developing at breakneck speed ever since.
Wedding wow
But why is this important for weddings? We pay thousands of pounds for the perfect location, and the perfect photographer to capture it. Thousands of people each year travel miles to be married in the rustic hideaway off the beaten track, the seaside hotel and the luxury converted farmhouse. We choose our venue for the way it makes us feel when we are there, and seeing everything from the sky, a privileged view, can surely only add to this beauty? So here's how to maximise what you can get out of your eye in the sky...
My Fabulous Life Photography
Drone dos
Safety: Drone accidents are incredibly rare - they're built to be safe - so when they do happen, it's generally due to human error. Never, ever try to catch one (as Enrique Iglesias found out the hard way); remember these are effectively �2kg flying bricks with samurai swords attached. Some basic flight rules include: stay a 50m distance from groups of people at all times; do not fly at night (anything more than an hour after sunset is a big no-no); and never fly in winds above 20mph.
Synergy: Aerial footage or photography is great as a standalone, but by far the best way to see it is as part of your wedding film or wedding images. An incredible shot from 120 metres up, overlooking your venue and nearby coastline, is a great way to start an album or highlight reel.
Down South Point of View
CAA qualification: It's worth employing someone who is qualified! Anyone can buy and fly a drone recreationally, but as soon as payment is involved, they need to have been accredited by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). A qualified flyer should know all the safety rules, have hours of experience and plan their flights in advance. If you know someone with a drone, it's perfectly fine to ask them to fly for you - hopefully they will get some great footage - but if your hired photographer or videographer can offer this service as well, this is your best option.
Be aware: Amazing as they are, drones aren't without their drawbacks, so be aware of any potential issues and how to best mitigate them. Noise is the main issue. Although drones aren't hugely loud, when close they sound like a swarm of bees so think carefully about when you want them to hover during your day. Take note of the weather as well. Most drones can't fly in even light drizzle, so if the forecast is patchy, hang fire until you get a clear patch.
My Fabulous Life Photography
Best shots: Being a good aerial photographer or videographer requires the same level of creativity as it does when working on the ground. Simply having a drone doesn't guarantee great footage. The best shots take advantage of the unique platform; here are our favourites.
The Hollywood. Swooping in from 500 metres, looking out at the skyline then slowly tilting down to look at your venue.
The Big Reveal. Flying straight upwards from behind trees, cliffs or other buildings to slowly reveal your venue or landscape.
The Flyaway Selfie. Just like you would with your phone - if you could stretch your arm 500 metres away. Hover about 20 metres away from the couple, then fly back and upwards at top speed. Watching the bride and groom slowly shrink as the location and natural beauty are revealed is a crowd-pleasing shot to finish with.
#WEDTECH
How to add a techie upgrade to your wedding
#Social Media
Give yourself a hashtag! This is a quick and simple way for you to be able to see all of your guests' images in one single stream on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#Savethedate #Augmented Reality
This one takes a little more planning. If you've created a wedding website or save the date video, you can make this content available to your guests by sharing a simple QR code. Send the code via social media, or on a good old-fashioned card and their phone will instantly take them to the site for RSVP-ing.
#Streaming
You can live-stream your wedding ceremony and speeches (from ground level - drones aren't quite ready for this yet!) for people to view from around the world. The simplest options are ready-to-roll tech such as Facebook or Skype, but these are only good for audiences of up to two or three people. For bigger viewership, check out free streaming platform Ustream
words Christopher Wasey
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
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