HANDCRAFT PICTURES
ELOPEMENT VIDEOGRAPHER
“You’ll be left with a film worthy of its own awards ceremony.”
VOGUE
ONE OF BRITISH VOGUE’S TOP 3 FILMMAKERS
STYLISH, ARTISTIC & EVOCATIVE ELOPEMENT FILMMAKING
Though based in London, I have worked with couples across the world (including Bali, Santorini, Corsica, Iceland, Scotland, Athens, Italy, amongst others) to create beautiful and bespoke elopement videos. I aim for bold and elegant cinematic flair in my work, and strive to make each elopement commission its own mini-movie: your love story told like a piece of cinema. Whether you have planner, a formal ceremony and location for your elopement or you just wish to film something while travelling, I aim to give you a love story film that deserves to be watched on the biggest screen possible and to stand the test of time.CITIES FILMED IN
20+
YEARS IN BUSINESS
15+
COUNTRIES FILMED IN
11+
TESTIMONIALS
All of my eloping clients receive a Teaser Film and a Feature Film as standard (other options available).
The 1-2 Minute Teaser is where I really let my creativity run free and produce something bold and unique.
The 5-7 Minute Feature Film is where I strive to create a cinematic story worthy of the big screen.
Below are some examples of both.
ATHENS & SANTORINI ELOPEMENT
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
ELOPEMENT ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Other than the first day when I chose the locations in Athens, Helen and Jason planned their elopement and ceremony day alongside a local elopement planner.
DAY 1 - We met in Athens for a day walking around the city, including up to the Acropolis before flying to Santorini in the evening.
DAY 2 - We met by the dock for a morning on a private boat tour around the island, where we took some great portrait footage before heading to a nearby town four some more shots.
DAY 3 - Helen and Jason’s ceremony day, starting in the morning while they got ready at their hotel, followed by a lovely ceremony where they read their personal vows, before heading off around the town for some portrait shots. In the evening Helen and Jason had a first dance, and cut their cake before we said our goodbyes before their celebratory dinner.
Florence & USA Elopement
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
ELOPEMENT ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Sofia and John organised their own wedding in Florence and I organised their elopement in Joshua Tree National Park.
Part 1 - Florence
DAY 1 - I met them at their hotel in Florence to film their wedding day.
DAY 2 - We met again very early in the morning in Florence to get some shots of them in front of some famous spots that would otherwise be filled with tourists.
Part 2 - Joshua Tree NP
Day 1 - We met at the entrance to the national park and spend the day taking some shots at some of the nicest locations as well as recording a poem to use for the film.
CorsicaN Elopement
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
ELOPEMENT ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Bo and Jennifer chose the location of Bonifacio, Corsica, but we then worked together to plan out the two days of filming and when to conduct their interviews and ceremony.
DAY 1 - We met at the couples hotel in Bonifacio for a day of filming, starting with their getting ready shots before taking a walk around the town and up to the pre-planned location for their renewal of vows and ending with the couple getting dinner in the evening.
DAY 2 - We met again at their hotel before heading to a beach location where we took some video portraits and drone footage of the couple on the beach.
VIK, ICELAND Elopement
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
ELOPEMENT ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Briony and Melvin worked with a local planning company to organise their Icelandic elopement, though I did have some input into locations, including my favourite shot of the couple running off down the beach in the dark.
DAY 1 - We met at the couples hotel in Vik for some getting ready shots before heading to the nearby black sand beach for some portrait shot, then onto a waterfall before arriving at their ceremony location (on the top of a glacier) conducted by a local celebrant.
DAY 2 - We met again at their hotel before driving to a few different locations for some portrait shots, including Skógafoss. In the evening the couple had a meal and I also suggested we head out in my Jeep to get a cool shot of them in the dark in the headlights of the vehicle before running off down the beach- my favourite shot of the film for sure!
Isle of Skye, micro Wedding
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
MICRO WEDDING ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Bobby and Julia worked with a local planning company to organise their Micro Wedding, though I did have some input into locations for the portrait session, including the first look location on the bridge.
DAY 1 - Filming in the morning took place nearby the wedding ceremony location during the couples wedding preparations. We then set up a first look on a nearby bridge followed by a few hours taking portrait shots nearby. The couples humanist wedding ceremony then took place in front of around 30 carefully chosen guests followed by an intimate wedding breakfast.
riva del Garda, ITALY elopement
THE TEASER FILM
THE FEATURE FILM
ELOPEMENT ITINERARY
PLANNING PROCESS: Tim and Elina worked with me on a plan for their elopement film.
DAY 1 - We met in Garda for some pre-elopement day shots around the town, including visiting some local landmarks.
DAY 2 - We met again at the couples Airbnb for getting ready shots, before heading down to the shoreline of Lake Garda for the personal vows and celebrant lead ceremony. We then moved to another location for the couple to take short boat ride on the lake which I captured both on and off the boat as well as by drone. The couple then had a drink in the town before we headed up to a viewing point for a few last shots before the sunset.
Other Locations
London
London
Bali
HOW I DO…
I work with all of my couples to make sure they have a film that is a testament to their love story, unique and bespoke to them, so I will always talk to you in advance of the elopement about the sort of day(s) you have planned and why you chose to elope to help me get an understanding of the sort of film that would best suit you both.
I also believe, as an elopement videographer, it is best to keep things simple: I do not use lots of gadgets and gizmos to produce my eloping couples films, rather a keen eye for a perfectly composed shot, the use of elegant music and creative editing- so my equipment, and shooting style on the day, is minimal and discreet, very much like a photographers. This minimalist style of elopement videography lends itself well to intimate ceremonies and overseas work.
Your elopement is a moment in your life that truly belongs to you, a reflection of your unique companionship, but I love to help capture this moment in my own inimitable style- producing an elopement film filled with cinematic flair that will remain a treasured memento for years to come.
I started out filming traditional weddings over 15 years ago, however my story-driven style, that is informed by my love of cinema, led me to elopements, as they allow me the creative freedom and time to produce something I can be proud, rather than being dictated by the constraints of a structured wedding day.
Being an avid traveller, I love to make films about people and place rather than big events, so I love to help plan out the story and location of the film with my clients so that they are left with a film they can watch for decades to come!
WHY I DO…
I'd love to hear more about your plans, so feel free to contact me via the form below to learn more about my services!
Name: Toby Sleigh-Johnson
Phone: 07540 068 355
Instagram: @handcraftpictures
Email: hello@handcraftpictures.com