Why Choose Super 8 for Your Wedding?
In an age of ultra-high-definition and instant digital content, there’s something striking about the organic beauty of super 8 film. Its grain, flickering light, and rich texture set it apart, creating a visual experience that feels more like a memory than a recording. Super 8 isn’t about perfection—it’s about capturing real moments with depth and feeling.
If you’re drawn to film photography, vintage aesthetics, or simply want your wedding documented in a way that feels timeless and artistic, super 8 is worth considering.
Super 8 was introduced in the 1960s as an accessible home movie format, widely used before digital video took over. Unlike digital recording, which captures data as pixels, Super 8 is a true film format—each frame is physically exposed onto 8mm film stock. This gives it a distinct texture: soft yet cinematic, raw but intentional.
Unlike traditional video, which can feel clinical or overly polished, Super 8 transports you into the moment. It’s immersive, evocative, and inherently nostalgic—not because it imitates the past, but because it exists outside of trends altogether.
What is Super 8 Film?
Super 8 was introduced by Kodak in the 1960s as a compact, affordable film format for home movies. Before digital video, this was how families captured holidays, birthdays, and everyday moments. Unlike digital recording, which captures data as pixels, Super 8 is a true analog format—each frame is physically exposed onto 8mm film stock. This gives it a texture and tone that digital formats can’t authentically mimic.
That unmistakable look—the grain, the soft edges, the subtle flicker—evokes something deeper than just aesthetics. It holds emotional weight. It makes a wedding film feel more like a lived experience than a produced video.
1. It Feels Like a Memory in Motion
Super 8 distils moments into something tangible. Its unique texture and movement create a dreamlike quality—like flipping through old photographs, but with life and energy.
2. Unobtrusive & Natural
Super 8 cameras are small and handheld, allowing for a more relaxed and documentary-style approach. There are no bulky setups or artificial lighting—just the natural flow of your wedding day, captured as it unfolds.
3. Aesthetic That Ages Well
Digital trends come and go, but Super 8 remains timeless. It doesn’t rely on filters or editing tricks—it simply is what it is. Like an old film photograph, a Super 8 wedding film will never feel outdated.
4. Emotion Over Perfection
Super 8 thrives on energy and movement. It’s not about posed shots but the in-between moments—the ones filled with joy, laughter, and real emotion.
5. A Perfect Match for Film Photography
If you love the depth and richness of film photography, Super 8 is the perfect counterpart. Together, they create a wedding collection that feels cohesive and intentional.
What to Expect with a Super 8 Wedding Film
Shot on Real Film
Super 8 is a physical medium and each cartridge holds about 2.5 minutes of raw footage, meaning every second counts. I typically shoot a minimum of five cartridges per wedding, prioritising key moments and atmosphere.
Developed & Scanned
Your footage is processed by a film lab, digitally scanned to retain its original texture and tones, and then sent back to me for editing.
Silent with Music
Super 8 cameras don’t record audio, but this only enhances the storytelling. Instead of syncing speeches or background noise, your film is paired with carefully selected music that complements the mood of the day.
How I Approach Super 8?
My filming style is rooted in observation. I don’t interrupt moments or stage scenes (unless there’s something personal you want to incorporate)—I simply document what’s naturally happening. I focus on movement, light, and atmosphere rather than trying to create a scripted film. The result is something that feels effortless and true to the day.
Is Super 8 Right for You?
Super 8 is perfect for couples who:
- Love the tones and texture of real film
- Prefer a documentary-style approach over a highly produced edit
- Want something timeless that won’t feel trendy or outdated
- Appreciate artistry and nostalgia in visual storytelling
If that sounds like you, Super 8 might be the perfect way to capture your wedding—creating something that will feel just as special decades from now as it does today.