A proposal video differs from other videos in two ways: it gets one chance, and it mustn't be found out. The short version: plan for two to three minutes, gather everything in a folder only you can see, allow at least three weeks, and test it on the actual screen before the day. The details are below, so you can put your energy into the day itself rather than into technical problems. For different approaches, see what to put in a proposal video; our service is described on proposal video production.
How to structure it
- Start where you met: your first photo together, your first trip, the places you often go.
- Everyday life in the middle: not every photo needs to be striking; real moments from ordinary life carry a lot of feeling.
- Words from family and friends: a line each, recorded on a phone and edited in. This part often gets a strong reaction in the room.
- Leave the ending to you: the video stops on a line or an image, and you take over in person. Don't let the video say it all for you.
Two to three minutes is a good length. Much longer and your partner may guess the ending while waiting; much shorter and there isn't enough build-up.
Gathering material in secret
- Put the photos in one Google Drive folder of your own; don't use a shared cloud account or a shared computer.
- Ask friends recording greetings to hold the phone sideways, find somewhere quiet, keep it under thirty seconds and upload to the same folder.
- Contact us from a device or account your partner can't see, and open preview links there too.
For uploading and sharing step by step, see how to send us your footage.
Music
A song that means something to you both is a natural choice, but check where the video will be played first: a private screening and a public upload fall under different copyright rules. Send us your shortlist before you decide and we'll go through it with you; for the details, see playing at the venue vs posting online.
Playback on the day: always test first
- Do a test run on the actual equipment: the restaurant's TV, the projector or your own laptop. Check the picture ratio and the volume.
- Bring two copies of the file: one on a USB drive and one on your phone, so there is a fallback if any device fails.
- Turn off notifications: when playing from a phone or computer, switch on aeroplane mode or Do Not Disturb first so no messages pop up.
- Bring a helper: someone to press play and film your partner's reaction, so your attention can stay on your partner.
For a fuller checklist to run through with a venue, see playing a video at the venue.
Timeline
- Three to four weeks before: choose the approach, set up your private folder and ask family and friends for greetings.
- About two weeks before: all photos and clips collected and handed over for editing.
- A few days before: playback file in hand and tested on the screen you'll use.
Allow at least three weeks from collecting material to the finished video; greetings from family and friends are usually what take time to gather. Tell us the proposal date at the start. We reply within 48 hours to tell you whether we can take it on; if we can, we write up a quote so you can decide whether to go ahead.
Frequently asked questions
We only have a few dozen photos. Is that enough?
Yes. A three-minute video needs about forty to sixty photos plus a few short clips, and title cards can fill any gaps.
Can it be made in portrait?
Yes. If it will play on a phone or an upright screen, portrait suits it better. Tell us the playback device when you get in touch.
Can it be turned into a version for a wedding later?
Yes. The material and structure of a proposal video often carry over into a wedding opening video; see wedding video editing.
