Why I Love Super 8mm Wedding Films (And Why You’ll Want it For Your Wedding Too)
I care a lot about creating things that last — not just pretty photos for Instagram or a highlight video you watch once and forget about, but wedding memories that feel like heirlooms. The kind you pull out years from now and immediately feel something. That is exactly why I love super 8mm wedding film SO much!
I use a Super 8 camera from the 70’s. It’s not new or fancy or digital. It’s real film. When I load it on a wedding day, I don’t get to check the back of the camera or replay what I just captured. I’m just there, fully present, watching your day unfold and choosing moments intentionally. And when I send that film off to be developed, I don’t see it again for weeks. Getting it back truly feels like Christmas morning every single time!
P.S. If you’re on the lookout for a DFW wedding photographer to document your wedding day (on digital and film) I’d love to chat!
What Makes Super 8mm Wedding Film So Different?
Digital video is beautiful. It’s sharp, polished, and clean. Super 8 videography feels like a memory. It’s a little grainy. A little imperfect. When you watch it back, it doesn’t feel like you’re watching a production. It feels like someone who loves you picked up a camera and documented your wedding day. That’s honestly what I want it to feel like. I don’t want your Super 8mm wedding film to feel staged or overly cinematic. I want it to feel like your people, your energy, your actual day!
How a Super 8mm Wedding Film Helps You Relive Your Day
One thing couples don’t always think about is how often they’ll actually rewatch their wedding film. Long, cinematic edits are incredible! They really are! But they can feel like something you sit down and watch intentionally once or twice. A super 8mm wedding film is different. It’s usually short, sweet, and full of movement. It’s something you can press play on during an anniversary dinner. Or a random Tuesday night. Or years from now when you’re showing your kids what your wedding felt like. It brings you right back into the energy of the day — the way people moved, the way they laughed, the way it all felt in real time.
Why It Feels Like an Heirloom
There’s something about knowing it’s real film that makes it feel special. Before it ever becomes a digital file, it exists physically. It has texture, character, and a quality that naturally ages well over time. Because it isn’t overly polished or overly produced, it doesn’t feel trendy or tied to a specific era! Years from now, it won’t feel dated. It will simply feel like your wedding, exactly as it unfolded.
Adding Camcorder Footage for Even More Nostalgia
Something I’ve started incorporating alongside Super 8 videography is camcorder-style footage. This adds another layer that feels almost home-video-ish in the best way. It’s playful, a little messy, and so personal. When couples talk to the camera or laugh between moments, it captures a side of the day that might not show up in portraits. It doesn’t replace anything. It just adds more depth. Below is Chelsea and Thadeus’ footage, and when you watch it, you’ll know exactly what I mean. It feels like you’re right there with them, not watching from a distance.
So… Do You “Need” Super 8mm Wedding Film?
You don’t need Super 8 videography in the practical sense. But if you care about how your wedding felt just as much as how it looked, it’s definitely worth considering.
If you love the idea of something nostalgic and honest.
If you want a film you’ll actually press play on again.
If you like the thought of your wedding being documented in a way that feels like a friend was there filming it…
Super 8mm wedding film might be for you! I photograph weddings on digital and film because I love both. But there’s something about Super 8 that will always have my heart.
Looking for a DFW Wedding Photographer?
Planning a wedding in Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in Texas and you’re drawn to imagery that feels timeless and honest? I would truly love to connect with you!
I’m Hannah, the photographer behind Hannah Kate Photo & Film. I document weddings on digital and film, including super 8mm wedding film, for couples who care about how their day feels just as much as how it looks. My approach is calm, intentional, and rooted in capturing authentic moments — both the big ones and the in-between ones.
If you’re looking for a DFW wedding photographer who will show up like a friend, pay attention to the details that matter, and create imagery that actually lasts, I’d love to hear more about what you’re planning! Explore around the rest of the site below!
