Wedding Blog
What is Super-8? Super 8 mm film, also simply called Super 8, is a motion picture film format that was developed in the 1960s and released on the market in 1965 by Eastman Kodak as an improvement of the older 8 mm home movie format, and the Cine 8 Format. *Wikipedia, see entire entry here.
Note: this is raw unedited footage by Wes Jones. For samples of his edited videos check out his website.
We had not budgeted for a videographer for our wedding as we simply couldn’t afford it. Our wedding ended up being even smaller than we’d planned and we had some money left over in our budget, so I took a chance. I emailed Wes Jones and asked if he was booked for our wedding two weekends away. I expected for him to say “yes,” and I’d move on. But much to my surprise, he happened to have our date free! Hooray, I was so excited. One of the things that led me to his work is that he shoots both digital and with Super-8 mm film.
images from wikipedia.org
This film feels like an old home movie which is why I was so drawn to it stylistically. We watched every clip on his website and really liked what we saw. Because we had limited funds we couldn’t afford Wes’s entire package which includes a wonderful edited video of your day. And because it was so last minute, he was kind enough to shoot the raw footage and gave us the option to do smaller edited segments when we saved up the money. Again, this was only possible because it was a last minute booking.
The style worked so well with the vibe of our wedding and Mr. Onion and I were blown away when we watched the footage for the first time a few nights ago. Looking back, I’m so glad we were able to come up with the money to do this because video captures things that still photos just can’t — taking a deep breath, my veil being placed by my bridesmaid, hugging my husband so tight, our vows (which isn’t included in the super-8 footage because there is no audio) etc. I will be so thrilled to share this with our children some day. I just hope they’ll want to see it 
Wes is a great guy and was really easy to work with. If this style is something you’re interested in I’d encourage you to reach out to him. I know he travels - he was shooting a wedding in Maine the weekend before ours. He is based in the New York Metro area.
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It’s amazing Mrs. onion! Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to see our video.
Thanks Mrs. Snow Pea! I hope others take 15 minutes to watch the video as its’ a great example of Super 8 footage, not to mention I loved it! I look forward to your vidoe too — I’m sure the scale and beauty of your day will come across. Hoory for FilmJones!
wow- I love super 8. I notice that there is a transition from BW to color. Is that still super 8?
wow. that is absolutely incredible. i love the song (<3 sigur ros) and the grainy, vintage feel of the video.
and you look beautiful!
beautiful video capture Mrs. Onion. The Super 8 mm style works so well with your wedding style and YOU! You’ve got that beautiful classic face so it works perfectly.
sillybride - the color footage is also Super8.
liz - wes picked the music and i was really happy with his choices.
mrs. apple - thanks! i really thought the video style fit my vision of our day — thanks for the “classic” comment! that makes me happy!
Who says love, romance, and old-fashioned values aren’t still alive? That video made me think of the 1940’s and if that were the last thing some archaeologist had to look at in the future he’d have a hard time pegging that at 2007 - the only real clues are the cars and clothes that your guests wore. And the stilleto heels 
Really a gorgeous film and it makes me want to know what your kids are going to say about it!! You’ll just have to post on weddingbee in 15 years what your kids think of it!
Wow! I think this video is great- it goes really well with the look and feel of your wedding.
I love this! A few of my potential videographers have it as an option but I couldn’t decide. I think you sold me on it!
Oh my gosh, I almost felt like crying! This reminds me so much of “The Wonder Years” 
Great idea Mrs. Onion! I never would’ve even thought of it as an option!
This is exactly what I want… yet, no one in my area offers this service… Ive been searching for almost a year… its killing me. I even contacted other videographers to see if they would travel… but with the travel expenses its even more expensive…
To top things off, when I call videographers and tell them I want super 8… they all think im nuts.
Only 6 months left… will I find anyone???
Mrs. Onion… your video is fab…im jealous
Wes Jones is one of the more talented young videographers in the business.
Having been in the wedding world myself as a videojournalist for 22 years I introduced super 8mm film to my clients in 1998 and it has been very popular as an addition to video tape. Recently a wedding consultant contacted me about shooting a wedding using just super 8 film. I explained some of the drawbacks to film that everyone should be aware of.
First there is no sound recorded on the film. Some super 8 cameras have the ability to record sound but most videographers do not record it.
Second it requires light to use film. Unlike digital video cameras the film cameras require a lot of light.
Third film cameras make noise. Trying to shoot a ceremony with film can be very distracting.
Fourth and most important. The film cameras that are being used are typically quite old. I would never risk a client’s wedding coverage and just shoot film on the chance that the film can be damaged in processing or there could be a problem with the camera that would not be found out until after the wedding.
I love to incorporate film for my clients. However I always use a combination of film and digital video tape since the reason my clients hire me is to document their wedding. Therefore I leave nothing to chance.
I highly recommend Wes since not only am I familiar with his work but I also know him personally and think that he is a terrific guy.
Robert Allen
Wedding Podcast Network
Great points Robert. I should have made more clear that Wes was shooting BOTH digital and Super8, at the same time actually, which blew me away when I saw the footage.
You saw no footage of the ceremony in the 15 minutes of Super8 footage I posted because, as Robert mentioned, there is no audio. Wes was will us for about 6 hours — getting ready, our pictures pre-ceremony, the ceremony, the walk to the restaurant, the cocktail hour and our first dance.
We got back an hour of digital footage (color with sound) and the 15 minutes of Super8. I think that style is ideal for the getting ready/dress shots, walking or picture taking where the conversation isn’t important etc. For the ceremony, of course he used digital so we’d hear our vows, our music, our minister.
I agree with Robert, JUST super8 would be a mistake, but it’s a wonderful addition to a wedding film.
oh my. I’m a little teary. so beautiful! now, advice on how to fit this into the budget…
katiethelady — i’m glad you loved the video. as for fitting it into your budget, it’s like any other major vendor. if it’s really important to you, you will find a way to make it fit. we had such a small wedding that we were able to do this — we invited 70 people and we ended up being 45 (include me and mr. Onion) so we had “x dollars” left over in our budget. we lucked out in that regard.
perhaps you bend in other areas — the invites, the flowers, the dress.
I’m so jealous. A super 8 video isn’t in our budget, but I think it’s just so so gorgeous. Man, I neeeed to find a way to make this happen…
Hello! does anyone know the title of that song in the beginning of this footage? it’s a wonderful song!! I have the artist name thanks to “Liz”. I would love to download off of itunes…..
tee08 — sorry I didn’t your question sooner, but I just searched on iTunes for the song. I searched for Sigur Ros and a song listed as “Track 4″ is it. I don’t know the real name, but if you look for it that way, I’m sure you’ll find it. Hope that helps!
Robert, I do agree with your concerns, but that’s why you use professionals and not your buddy to shoot your wedding. We used the most amazing wedding cinematographers out of Los Angeles named Forever Films ( http://www.foreverfilms.net ). They are actual Hollywood directors, and the film they shot was the most amazing footage you’ve ever seen. They shot both super 8mm and 16mm film. Adding both films gives you a perfect balance of variety. I actually have people come to my house and ASK US to watch our wedding video because they have heard how good it is. Now who has ever even heard of that??? I can’t say enough good things about these guys. Super 8mm film is the greatest thing that ever happened to our wedding. I recommend it to everyone.
Hi,
Very helpful post. I really wish he did weddings in the atlanta area. We are looking for someone here in the ATL who can cover our wedding in that style.
Hey Dele,
Forever Films shot our wedding in Savannah, so I’m sure they could shoot yours in Atlanta. Check out their website ( http://www.foreverfilms.net ).
@shane54: Thanks for the comment. We actually found a great videographer with a cinematic style, which was our other preference.
Nice job, I’ve been shooting motion picture films both with super 8mm & 16mm films for years for my high end clients in the beginning and now most of my clients request film over video. Thanks for covering the topic.
http://www.stellarfilms.net
http://www.bonvivantcinema.com
http://russellfowlerstudios.blogspot.com/
Cheers,
R.
Russell Fowler Studios
Love the Super 8mm!!!
My brother and his company, http://www.mimmoandnaz.com get flown all over to shoot super 8mm weddings…i am biased, he is my brother after all, but his work is very emotional, and there seems to be something sensitive and real about it. He called me the other day and asked me to pass this on to friends and fellow brides if i liked it. I LIKED IT:
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/03/09/mimmo-naz/
Nora
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Miss Onion, NYC/Burlington, VT
Age and Occupation: 27, PR & Marketing and Jazz Singer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Data Analyst
Engagement Date: April 2, 2006
Wedding Date: September 2007
Blogging Since: July 11, 2007
Venue: Restaurant in Burlington
About Me: I didn't think I'd be "that girl," but I am having so much fun planning our wedding (mostly by myself). I'm a PR and Marketing Director for a major jazz festival and camp by day, and by night, a romantic jazz singer and bride-to-be! I hope all my research can help other brides in their planning.
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