Bride and groom outside the New York Public Library

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

We have some answers for you.

Everything practical in one place: how booking works, what you receive, how we film, how we photograph, how delivery works, and where film, Super 8, engagement sessions, albums, destination weddings, and cultural celebrations fit.

Booking & the basics

Start with the shape of your day.

The right collection is built around the wedding itself: your date, locations, guest count, timeline, and how completely you want the story preserved.

Are you always filming as a photographer-videographer team, or can we book only video or photo services?

Most of the time we work as a photo and video team, because it gives you a seamless, cinematic result and keeps the visual direction consistent. However, you can absolutely book video only or photo only if that is what you need.

The number of photographers and videographers, as well as the final recommendation, depends on your wedding size, timeline, locations, and priorities. Tell us about your day and we will suggest the cleanest options.

How far in advance do you typically book your services?

Popular wedding dates and destination celebrations often book far ahead. Reach out once your date and venue feel serious; we can then confirm availability and recommend the right collection.

Can we get a personalized package that fits our needs?

Yes. We can adjust coverage hours, number of shooters, engagement session, rehearsal dinner, Super 8, film photography, albums, travel, and delivery timing so the package actually fits the wedding.

How and when can we pay for your wedding coverage?

To secure your date, we ask for a 25% non-refundable retainer at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due one week before the wedding. For your convenience, we accept debit or credit card and bank transfer. The process is simple and transparent, so you can focus on planning your day while knowing everything is confirmed and taken care of.

How many hours will you be with us on the wedding day?

We are flexible — the length of coverage depends on your package and wedding plans. Most couples book 8–10 hours, which usually covers getting ready, details, ceremony, portraits, key reception moments, and the first dance.

If you need more or fewer hours, we can adjust. For couples who do not want to think about time at all, we can plan a full-day option. During consultation, we walk through your timeline and recommend the ideal coverage so nothing important is missed.

How many photographers and videographers will be at our wedding?

Smaller weddings may only need one photographer or one cinematographer. Larger or more complex days may need a lead photographer, second photographer, lead videographer, second shooter, drone operator, or assistant support.

How long does an engagement session usually take?

Most engagement sessions last about 1–2 hours. That is usually enough time for one or two locations, a mix of cinematic video and natural photos, and short interview-style moments if you want your story or vows included in the final film.

If you are dreaming of a mini movie with multiple looks, several locations, or a fuller experience, we can plan a longer session. The goal is to create something that feels relaxed, personal, and useful for your wedding website, invites, save-the-dates, or welcome events.

What you actually receive

A complete film collection from one wedding.

Not a single clip — a full set of films from each celebration, every story told at the right length and pace. Here are two real weddings, delivered in full.

Trailer · Highlight · Cinematic Movie · Documentary Movie — so you relive the day in every way.

Teaser

A short emotional preview for the days after the wedding — made for sharing while the feeling is still fresh.

Highlight

The cinematic cut of the day in a refined edit, built around story, music, pacing, vows, and atmosphere.

Cinematic Movie

A beautifully crafted film of the wedding day — emotional, elegant, and story-driven, with music, atmosphere, vows, speeches, and the most meaningful moments woven into one complete cinematic experience.

Documentary Movie

A longer, more complete film of the day, preserving the natural flow of the celebration — real voices, full moments, ceremony, speeches, reactions, and everything you will want to remember years later.

If you book videography

  • a short teaser / trailer for social media,
  • a cinematic highlight film,
  • a longer feature or documentary film of the day,
  • a ceremony film or ceremony section when included,
  • a speeches / toasts edit when included,
  • an extended film with full ceremony, speeches, or other key moments depending on the collection,
  • all usable raw footage from the day, carefully organized,
  • a personalized online page to stream, download, and share your films in high quality.

If you also book photography

  • approximately 700–1500 fully edited photos, depending on coverage and wedding size,
  • professional color correction and retouching in the Aster Films style,
  • a private online gallery for viewing, downloading, and sharing with guests,
  • fine-art prints and a premium printed wedding photo book when ordered with the collection.

A complete collection can include fast emotional pieces and longer documentary keepsakes — not one isolated clip, but a full archive of the celebration at the right length and pace.

Hailey & Ian

Complete film set

Hailey & Ian – Instagram Trailer
Hailey & Ian – Highlights
Hailey & Ian – Cinematic movie
Hailey & Ian – Documentary movie

David & Jenny

Greystone Mansion · Complete film set

David & Jenny – Teaser. Greystone Mansion
David & Jenny – Highlights. Greystone Mansion
David & Jenny wedding movie. Greystone Mansion
David & Jenny – Documentary movie. Greystone Mansion

The work itself

How the day becomes a film and gallery.

What do we actually get in the end — how many videos and photos?

When you book us, you do not just get a wedding video. You receive a complete collection of films and images that tell your story from every angle. If you book videography, you receive a short teaser for social media, a cinematic highlight film, a longer feature or documentary film of the day, and, depending on your package, an additional extended film with moments such as the full ceremony, speeches, or other key parts of the day. You also receive the usable raw footage from the day, carefully organized, and a personalized online page where you can stream, download, and share your films in high quality.

If you also book photography, you receive approximately 700-1500 fully edited photos, with professional color correction and retouching on all delivered images. You also receive a beautiful online photo gallery for viewing, downloading, and sharing with guests. If you additionally order a wedding photo book, we design and deliver a premium printed album that tells the full story of your day.

How do you deliver our wedding photos and videos?

We make the delivery process as beautiful and convenient as possible. You receive a private online gallery with all your photos, where you can view, download in high resolution, and easily share with family and friends. Your wedding films and video files are also delivered via a secure online link for streaming and download.

If you have ordered a photo book, we design and print a high-quality album that tells the full story of your day in a tangible, heirloom format. Everything is delivered in a way that is easy to access now and meaningful to keep for years to come.

What is your approach to weddings?

Our approach is editorial documentary. We guide when guidance helps, especially for portraits and structure, then step back so real emotion and movement can happen naturally.

What is your style?

Our style is fine art meets editorial documentary. We work with natural light, soft yet rich colors, elegant compositions, and real emotions — so your photos and films feel refined, romantic, and timeless, not trendy.

The goal is simple: images and videos that still look beautiful and relevant decades from now.

I’m camera-shy and worried I won’t look good in photos or video.

You are not alone — most couples say this at first. Our job is not to put you on stage, but to guide you gently so you feel relaxed and look like the best version of yourself.

We help with simple, natural posing, easy directions, flattering angles, and good light. You do not need to know what to do; we take care of that. Very often the most camera-shy couples are the ones who later say, “I can’t believe that is actually us — in a good way.”

What kind of equipment do you use?

We use professional cinema and photo gear: RED and Sony FX-series cameras, 4K capture, slow motion where it serves the story, stabilization, professional audio, lighting for dark spaces, drone where allowed, and film cameras such as Contax 645 and 35mm for the analog look.

How do you choose the music for our film?

Music is selected to fit the emotion, rhythm, and pacing of the day. Preferences are welcome, but the final track also needs to be legally usable and strong enough to carry the edit.

Can we request edits to the movie if we want changes?

Yes. After the first delivery, you can request reasonable adjustments such as pacing, shot selection, music timing, or small trims. We protect the cinematic flow while making sure the important parts feel right to you.

Will we receive the raw footage?

Yes — and this is one of our big differences from many studios. Along with your edited films, we provide all usable raw footage from your wedding day.

That means you get every captured moment, not just what made it into the final edit, plus the freedom to rewatch speeches, reactions, and behind-the-scenes memories in full. Your films are crafted for beauty and storytelling; the raw footage is your complete archive of the day.

What is the timeframe for video and photo processing?

Standard delivery is up to 60 days for full photo and video. If you want the wedding film sooner, an express video edit can be arranged when available, with the video edit prepared in about 9 days.

Do you have a backup plan in case of emergency?

Yes. We plan with backup cameras, lenses, audio recorders, batteries, memory cards, and professional support options so unexpected problems do not become your problem.

How do you capture the vows, speeches, and audio throughout the day?

We use discreet microphones, venue or DJ audio feeds when available, and backup recorders. Clear vows and speeches are essential; the sound has to feel as intentional as the image.

A closer look

Engagement photo examples.

Engagement video examples

Example 01
Example 02
Example 03
Example 04
Example 05
Example 06

Digital, film, and Super 8

Do you also shoot on film, or is it only digital?

Yes, we do offer film photography as an add-on — and we absolutely love it. We shoot on 35mm and medium format film, which gives your images a timeless, romantic, fine-art look that is hard to fully imitate digitally: softer tones, beautiful grain, and a very organic feel.

We always photograph the day digitally to make sure everything is fully covered, and then add film on top for selected moments, portraits, and details. It is a perfect option if you love that classic editorial / vintage aesthetic and want your gallery to feel even more special.

See services & pricing
Wedding couple photographed with film-like light

Super 8 film

Warm, nostalgic, beautifully imperfect.

We shoot on real Super 8 to give your wedding a warm, nostalgic heartbeat — soft grain, gentle flicker, and that unmistakable “home-movie-on-a-summer-night” magic. It is imperfect in the best way: intimate, alive, and wildly emotional.

The result feels timeless, cozy, and effortlessly cool — like your love, captured on film, not just recorded on a sensor.

Engagement, add-ons & heirlooms

The pieces around the wedding.

Do you also take photos during engagement sessions?

Yes. Engagement sessions can include both photos and video. They are relaxed, useful, and help you feel comfortable before the wedding day.

Can we get physical copies of our photos, like prints or an album?

You receive a beautiful online gallery, and you can also order fine-art prints or a premium printed wedding photo book if you want something tangible and heirloom-worthy.

Do you edit both photos and videos?

Yes. Photos are professionally color corrected and retouched. Films are edited for story, pacing, sound, and color, so the final collection feels cohesive.

Do you provide a second photographer or videographer if needed?

Yes. We recommend a second shooter when the wedding has multiple locations, larger guest counts, parallel getting-ready moments, or a timeline that needs more coverage than one person can comfortably handle.

Can we share our preferences for style and specific shots?

Absolutely. We want to know what matters to you: family priorities, traditions, people, details, inspiration, and anything you do or do not want emphasized.

We love your trailers, but want to keep some parts — like vows or letters — private. Is that possible?

Yes. Many couples choose to keep their most personal moments, like full vows, card readings, or private audio, only in the feature film or documentary edit and out of the public trailer.

We can create a trailer that feels emotional and cinematic while keeping your most intimate lines and inside jokes just for you.

Experience, travel & culture

Calm coverage for real weddings.

How experienced are you in wedding photography and videography?

We have worked with different light, cultures, timelines, venues, and wedding scales, from intimate celebrations to multi-day destination events. The goal is to stay calm and creative no matter what the day brings.

If there are two filmmakers, will it feel like paparazzi following us?

No. Even with two shooters, we work discreetly and respectfully, often with longer lenses so moments can happen naturally. You will not feel like you are on a movie set.

Do you use on-camera lighting during the day or reception?

We prefer natural light and the atmosphere you have created. When lighting is needed for speeches or dark receptions, we use it carefully so the room still feels elegant.

How many hours of coverage do you recommend for our wedding?

It depends on the timeline, number of locations, and how complete you want the story to be. We review the day with you and recommend coverage that protects the important moments without adding pressure.

What is the difference between the trailer, short film, full-length film, and documentary film?

The trailer is the fast emotional preview. The short or highlight film is a refined cinematic edit. The full-length film carries more of the day. The documentary film is the most complete version, often preserving ceremony, speeches, and key events with fewer cuts.

Who is your ideal couple?

Couples who care about emotion, aesthetics, and memory. If you want timeless photos and films rather than only a few pretty images, you are in the right place.

Why did you choose wedding cinematography and photography?

It started with our own wedding and the struggle to find a videographer who matched our vision. That pushed us to bring cinema techniques, including anamorphic language, into weddings and create films that feel like real movies, not just documentation. Since then, we have fallen in love with turning wedding days into emotional, artistic stories that couples can treasure for a lifetime.

Do you only shoot in Texas, or can you also travel for our wedding?

We are based around Texas weddings, but we happily travel across the U.S. and worldwide. Destination weddings are a natural part of our work, and travel is one of the things that keeps the storytelling inspired.

Travel costs are simple and transparent — usually flights, accommodation, and a clear destination package. Tell us your location and dates, and we will send exact details.

Do you shoot destination weddings in other countries?

Yes. We travel for destination weddings all over the world and keep travel costs transparent, usually through flights, accommodation, and a clear destination package.

Do you have experience with South Asian or other cultural weddings?

Yes. We have filmed South Asian, Jewish, Asian, and multicultural weddings. We take time to understand rituals, family priorities, and timing so meaningful moments are captured with care.

Will there be aerial drone footage in our film?

When it is safe, legal, and venue-approved, we love to include drone footage of the location and surroundings. It should add cinematic scale, not distract from the story.

I saw that you use anamorphic lenses in your wedding films — what does that mean?

Anamorphic lenses create a wider cinematic frame, soft background, oval bokeh, and gentle lens flares. In simple terms, it helps the wedding film feel closer to a real movie than a regular event recording.

Availability

Let us be near you on the most important day.

Send the date, location, guest count, and what you are imagining. We will help you choose the right balance of photography, cinema, coverage, film, and delivery.

Check availability