A Warsaw Wedding Film at Pałac Mała Wies
Katarzyna and Bartosz’s WEDDING VIDEO FEATURE
The Venue
Pałac Mała Wies is a beautiful 200 year old palace near Warsaw, nestled in the serene landscapes of Poland, boasts a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Originally constructed as a private residence, this charming palace has undergone numerous restorations, preserving its architectural elegance while adapting to modern needs. The estate is surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and enchanting woodlands, creating a picturesque backdrop that transports visitors to a bygone era of grace and nobility.
The grandeur of Palac Mala Wies lies not only in its stunning interiors adorned with period features but also in its expansive outdoor spaces. The lush gardens, filled with vibrant blooms and towering trees, offer a romantic setting that is particularly captivating during the summer months. The gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet scent of flowers provide a sensory delight that enhances the experience of a wedding celebration.
Moreover, the palace's versatile venues cater to various wedding sizes, from intimate gatherings to lavish affairs. Couples can tie the knot in an elegant indoor chamber, surrounded by opulent decor, or exchange vows under a beautifully decorated arbor in the garden, allowing for seamless transitions between the ceremony and the reception. The warm summer breeze and golden sunlight create an inviting atmosphere that complements the joyous occasion.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Palac Mala Wies is ideally located, making it accessible for both local and international guests. Its proximity to charming villages and cultural landmarks invites exploration, ensuring that visitors can enjoy a rich tapestry of experiences surrounding the wedding festivities. With its blend of history, beauty, and enchanting surroundings, Palac Mala Wies stands out as a perfect setting for a summer wedding, promising an unforgettable celebration filled with love and memories.
I had never visited Poland but I always find most creative with fresh eyes, so it was exciting to be at such a stunning, and yet unfamiliar, venue, set in some lovely grounds.
Katarzyna and Bartosz’s Pałac Mała Wies Wedding Day Plans
Warsaw Wedding Venue
Both Katarzyna and Bartosz got ready in the morning at the venue which allowed me a chance to get some lovely shots of them both and their families.
The couple then had a traditional blessing by their family in the chapel of the palace, which was a lovely moment and something I knew I would want to include in the film.
Their catholic ceremony then took place outside in the sunshine- a first for me- and it was a tender and emotional part of the day, finished with a picture-perfect confetti exit down the aisle (one of my favourite shots from their film)
The couple then broke bread and crossed the threshold of the reception venue, as is tradition before spending time with family and friends. The photograph and I then went away with the couple for some portraits and to record the couple reading some personal vows to each other, which was an absolute highlight for me as these moments give me the heart of their films story and some great audio.
Polish weddings are filled with (professional-looking) dancing into the small hours and I had plenty of opportunities to capture some lovely moments, particularly when the bride tied lace to her flowers and had all the single women hold a piece as she cut them off, the final woman traditional being the next to wed. These moments, so steeped in history, fit my nostalgic style of filming-making very well so I knew I would have to include this in their film.
Wedding Videography Approach
My main aim as a wedding videographer is to produce cinematic, yet authentic, mementos of a wedding day. I want them to be stylish, filled with all the emotions of the day while being infused with a classic cinema flair, which I always have in the back of my mind when choosing which lens to use in a certain moment, how to frame a shot, the sounds and music I will use to tell that part of the story and thinking always about the edit.
Me filming a wedding in Portugal with my minimalist set up.
Kasia and Bartek’s day was steeped in traditions, some fun, some tender and I wanted to make sure I included these in their film in the most appropriate way possible, so the music I chose for their film was very important- I wanted something timeless, slightly austere and dramatic but ultimately melodic and I think the piece I chose really helped lend the film the gravitas I was going for.
Once I have these all story telling elements in place I make sure my films are as cinematic as possible, and what I mean by that is I use every tool and technique at my disposal, from the filming style on the wedding day, to the editing and colour grading techniques afterwards, to create a piece of work that feels like a mini-movie, like a short piece of classic cinema, with a proper beginning middle and end, establishing people, place and story as elegantly as possible, woven together with music I choose carefully for each project.
Most importantly though, I use equipment and a filming style on the day that allows me to capture these moments without leaving a heavy footprint on the day- I use very minimal equipment, similar to a photographer, and avoid stage managing the day in any way because the most important element of making a great film is authentic moments and emotions and the only way to achieve these is allow them to happen naturally, unhindered by over posing/staging and manufacturing the events.
