There are certain moments in life that you only get one chance to capture.

This weekend, Merriann and I had the absolute pleasure of attending the wedding of some dear friends. It was beautiful — the kind of day where you could feel the joy in the room before the ceremony even started. Laughter in the hallways, hugs that lingered a little longer than normal, proud parents trying to keep their composure.

This time, I wasn’t there as a vendor.

I was just a guest.

But as a former wedding videographer, I can’t turn that part of my brain off. While everyone else watches a wedding, I study it. I notice the glances, the nerves, the way hands shake during vows, the way a groom swallows hard before he speaks. I instinctively track the moments that I know — from years behind a camera — couples will wish they could relive later.

And one thing became clear pretty quickly:

They didn’t have a videographer.

Now listen — I get it. Weddings are expensive. Couples have to make tough budget decisions. I’ve had many conversations over the years with brides and grooms who loved video but simply couldn’t make the numbers work.

And whenever that happened, I always gave them the same advice:

“If you can’t afford a videographer… at least record it on a phone.”

Because here’s the truth that photography — as beautiful and important as it is — simply cannot replace:

Video captures what still images never can.

A photograph can show you what your wedding looked like.

Video shows you what it felt like.

It’s the trembling in your voice when you say your vows.

It’s the way your spouse laughs — the real laugh — during the ceremony when something goes slightly off script.

It’s the sound of your dad’s voice cracking during his toast.

It’s your mom wiping tears during the first dance.

It’s the room erupting in applause when you’re introduced for the first time.

Photos freeze a frame.

Video preserves a moment.

So during the wedding, I did what I’ve encouraged so many couples to do over the years.

I pulled out my smartphone.

Nothing fancy. No stabilizer. No audio rig. No cinematic lenses.

Just a phone… and intention.

I quietly recorded their ceremony in full. Not from a production mindset — but from a preservation mindset. I captured the groom’s father’s toast — the stories, the humor, the pride in his voice. I filmed their first dance — the way they held each other like the room had disappeared.

I recorded the mother-son dance.

The bride and her father swaying together.

And one moment that is almost always missed unless someone is intentional about it…

The cutting of the cake.

It’s funny — that moment often disappears into the chaos of the reception. Guests are mingling. Photographers are grabbing detail shots. But for the couple, it’s one of their first shared acts of the night. It deserves to be remembered.

I love these two dearly.

And while I wasn’t there to create a full wedding film — the kind I used to produce — I was able to give them something that didn’t exist before:

Living memories.

Raw footage they can watch on anniversaries.

Moments they can show their future kids.

Voices they can hear decades from now — even from loved ones who may not always be here.

That’s the power of video.

It freezes time… but keeps it breathing.

So here’s my encouragement — and my call to action for anyone attending a wedding in the future:

Pull out your phone.

Record the ceremony.

Record the toasts.

Record the dances.

Record the in-between moments no one else thinks to capture.

You don’t need to be a professional.

You don’t need expensive gear.

You just need awareness that what you’re filming is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for someone you care about.

And when the night is over?

Don’t let that footage sit on your camera roll.

Send it to the bride and groom.

Gift it to them.

Because long after the decorations are taken down…
Long after the cake is eaten…
Long after the dress is stored away…

Those videos will become priceless.

Trust me — I’ve seen it firsthand.

As someone who has stood behind wedding cameras for years… and now stood in the seats as a guest…

I can tell you with full confidence:

Every wedding deserves to be filmed.

Even if it’s just by the people who love them most.