Looking back on my wedding, I can’t help but wish I had chosen to have a videographer there for the day, and not only a photographer. At the time, I thought photos would capture everything I wanted—those still frames of the day, full of the excitement, nerves, and joy. But now, as I reflect, I realize there’s so much more to those moments than a photograph could ever express.

Photography freezes time in a single frame, but video brings those moments back to life. There’s something powerful about seeing a loved one’s smile, hearing the laughter, and watching movements play out in real time. While photos of the first dance, the vows, or the speeches are beautiful to look at, I often find myself wondering what it would be like to relive those moments—not just see them, but hear them, feel the atmosphere again.

A wedding day is more than just a collection of moments—it’s a full story unfolding. While photos are essential for capturing those iconic snapshots, a video adds depth to the experience, preserving the flow and energy of the entire day. Even more, a video captures the vows, the speeches, and the heartfelt words shared throughout the day—things a photo simply can’t hold on to.

One of my biggest regrets is not having a video of the traditional and cultural moments that made our wedding so unique. We had a traditional haka that was incredibly powerful, full of energy, and performed by many of our friends and family. We also had friends playing live music—heartfelt performances that created the perfect atmosphere for the day. I wish I could go back and see and hear those moments again, not just in memory but as they happened, with all the sound, movement, and emotion that a video would’ve preserved.

So, if I could go back, I’d absolutely hire a videographer. Not to replace the photographer, but to give me both sides of the memory: the stills that capture the essence, and the video that captures the life behind it.