The growth video is the moment at a wedding reception most likely to make parents tear up: photos of both of you growing up, the story of how you met, a few words for your parents, all in a few minutes. The good news is it needs no filming. Photos and the clips you already have are enough. This page brings together everything you need to prepare, so you can settle it in one go amid the wedding planning.
The usual structure
The classic form has three parts: the groom growing up, the bride growing up, and how you met and decided to marry. You can add the proposal, words for your parents, or behind-the-scenes shots from the pre-wedding photo session. Length depends on the reception schedule; shorter is generally better, because guests' attention is limited and the most moving parts should stay.
Choosing photos
Principles matter more than numbers. For each stage, choose photos that tell a story rather than filling the video with similar snapshots: babyhood, school years, family photos, key moments as a couple. Once the length and music are confirmed, we give you a specific list of how many photos and in what proportion, so you don't have to guess.
Printed old photos can be photographed with a phone or scanned. If the quality isn't ideal, we tell you after assessment how much it can be improved.
Music and licensing
The song you want and the song you can use are sometimes two different things: the rules for playing music at a reception and for uploading to social media differ. Send us your candidate list before deciding, and we'll explain the licensing points, so you don't finish the video and then find it can't be played.
Proposal videos: extra secrecy, extra testing
Two things matter most for a proposal video. Secrecy: keep the contact person and the preview links away from any device your partner might see. Testing: a proposal happens once, so test the playback equipment, volume and lighting at the venue beforehand.
Timeline: tell us the date early, send material early
Tell us the wedding and reception dates at the start so we can confirm the schedule. The earlier you send photos and material, the more room there is for adjustments. Ideally there's plenty of time before the wedding to preview and revise, rather than a rush in the final week.
Frequently asked questions
We have very few childhood photos.
Very common, don't worry. Text cards, recorded messages and existing video clips can fill the gaps. We discuss the approach after seeing your material and confirm what you're happy with.
Can we include video messages from friends and family?
Yes. Ask them to film horizontally on a phone in a quiet place. We provide simple filming notes, then grade and balance the sound so everything fits together.
Contact Chipscat Studio
Date set? Tell us the date and your story. After assessing it we send a preparation list and our suggestions, and production starts after you confirm. See also growth video examples.
