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This week's topics: wedding videography tips, cinematic storytelling, hybrid videography style, destination wedding videography, wedding day storytelling, next-day wedding video edits, working with wedding planners, choosing a wedding videographer, videography budget tips, Napa Valley weddings, Amalfi Coast weddings, capturing candid wedding moments, wedding videography insurance and licensing, importance of wedding videos.
In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, hosts Sonja Babich and Lara Burnap—Editorial Director of Iron Diamond Media—chat with Richard Saenz, founder of Royal Films. Based in California, Richard shares his journey into wedding videography, his cinematic approach to storytelling and the importance of capturing a couple’s love story authentically. With over a decade of experience, Richard and his team have become known for creating heartfelt wedding films that couples treasure for a lifetime.
Richard begins by recounting the origins of Royal Films, which he started in 2012 with his wife. What began as a leap of faith to build a career in a challenging job market quickly evolved into a passion-driven business. “I’ll never say that I’ve achieved the top of my game. I always, always want to grow,” he shares, reflecting on his dedication to continuous learning and artistic growth. This mindset has allowed Royal Films to stay at the forefront of wedding videography, embracing trends like cinematic storytelling and next-day edits.
The conversation shifts to Richard’s creative process, where he reveals how he customizes each film to reflect a couple’s unique story. From initial consultations to capturing candid moments on the wedding day, he emphasizes the importance of making couples feel at ease. “I really want to create a piece that comes from the heart and tells a genuine story of who the couple is,” he explains. His hybrid style blends cinematic artistry with documentary authenticity, striking a balance that resonates with modern couples.
When asked about working with planners, Richard is quick to highlight their value. “I love working with planners because it absolutely makes the wedding day so much easier. You know that they’re going to take everything from A to Z,” he says. He encourages couples to invest in a planner not only to ensure a seamless experience but to allow them to focus fully on enjoying their big day.
Richard also touches on the importance of videography as part of a couple’s wedding budget. While he acknowledges that videography is often considered later in the planning process, he passionately advocates for its inclusion. “Pictures are great, but video is live, right? And you can see the love and the real love story come to life.” This perspective resonates deeply, as Richard’s films are designed to preserve not just the sights but also the sounds, emotions and energy of the wedding day.
The episode concludes with a look at Richard’s love for destination weddings. Whether filming in Napa Valley, Mexico or the Amalfi Coast, he relishes the opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures and create meaningful connections with couples. For Richard, each wedding is more than just an event—it’s a chance to document a moment in time that couples will treasure forever.
Tune in to this episode to hear more about Richard Saenz, his insights into wedding videography, and his tips for choosing the right videographer to tell your story.
This episode is powered by Royal Films and Hotel Figueroa. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.