YORK PLACE
PHOTO & FILM STUDIO
No posing. No directing. Just your story.

Real Love. Real Laughs. Real Cinema.

Documentary Wedding Videography by York Place Films

We are Matt & Alex. We create narrative-led wedding films without directing a single moment of your day. Using small, discreet cameras, we produce a rich, filmic aesthetic without the intrusion of a film crew. We capture the humour, the energy, and the unique character of your celebration. No awkward posing, no retakes—just a beautiful, cinematic movie about your life.
We take on a limited number of commissions each year.
Check Availability

No templates.No Formulas.Just YOUR Story.

We never edit to a set template. Your wedding is unique because your relationships are unique, and your film needs to reflect that. We don’t approach your day with a checklist of required shots or force your story into a pre-made mold.

Instead, we immerse ourselves in the party, embracing the spontaneity of the day. Whether it’s a tearful speech or a chaotic dance floor, we let the real events dictate the edit, ensuring you receive a film that feels exactly like being there.

What Does "Documentary" Actually Mean?

It’s a popular buzzword, but true documentary is more than just candid shots. Read our full guide on what defines the style, how we work without directing, and why we believe unposed moments make for better cinema.
Read the guide

MEMORIES CAN'T BE SCHEDULED

Click the video to see and hear our thoughts on the making of real wedding memories.
Whilst we will, of course, capture all the big events scheduled throughout your day, we're just as excited to capture the tiny moments; the off-guard moments, the moments that reveal the friendships and relationships you share with each other and with your guests. 

The greatest memories aren't made on cue, they're not just about what happened but the way it made you feel. They're about atmosphere, about spontaneity, about unexpected but completely unforgettable moments.

These are the moments that truly matter; the moments we love to capture.

Street Photography, In Motion.

You might know York Place for our street photography. We approach filmmaking exactly the same way. We look for the layers, the humour, and the complex compositions that define our still images—we just capture them at 24 frames per second. We don't just document the event; we look for the art in the ordinary.

BIG WEDDING STORIES, SMALL VIDEO EQUIPMENT

CINEMA WITHOUT THE CIRCUS

The aim of our wedding films is to capture the true atmosphere of your wedding, not to create a ‘film set’ environment.
 

We use compact, handheld cameras (like the Fujifilm XH2S shown here) that allow us to blend in like guests. We don’t use large gimbals, steady-cams, or lighting crews that block your guests’ view.
 
Note: While we do use small, unmanned tripods during the ceremony and speeches to ensure perfect stability for those key moments, the vast majority of your day is shot handheld and entirely unobtrusive. This allows us to interact, have fun, and capture the spirit of your day from the inside out.

SOUNDSCAPES, NOT JUST SPEECHES

Great cinema is 50% sound. With Matt’s background as a professional Theatre Sound Designer, we build a multi-layered audio landscape for your film.

We don’t just record the vows; we use tiny, concealable microphones to capture the ambient laughter, the clinking glasses, and the whispers. We mix this audio with the same precision as a stage production, transporting you right back to the feeling of the room.

Here goes your text … Select any part of your text to access the formatting toolbar.

Soundtrack to video created in Adobe Audition - York Place Films

Your Wedding Day: Unscripted

1. The Morning: Anticipation & Atmosphere

Building the Story (Not Staging the Shoes)

The morning isn’t about staging a shot of a dress hanging in a window; it’s about the nervous energy, the banter between friends, and the anticipation of what’s to come. We don’t ask you to ‘fake apply’ makeup or repeat a toast. We blend into the background, capturing the natural audio and the candid interactions that set the scene for the story to follow. It’s the calm (or the chaos) before the storm, captured exactly as it happened.

“Matt is an absolutely incredible videographer and we couldn’t be happier that we chose him for our wedding … On the wedding morning, he blended in so naturally that we often forgot the camera was even there – in the best possible way. He captured everything so beautifully while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun.”
– Celina & Andy

Bridesmaids getting ready with drinks and makeup

2. The Ceremony: Multi-Camera, Zero Distraction

The Vows, The Tears, and The Real Audio

This is the moment you came for. We shoot the ceremony using multiple small cameras to give a cinematic, multi-angle view without ever blocking your guests’ view. Crucially, we use professional, concealable microphones to ensure your vows come through crystal clear—because high-quality audio is the heartbeat of a great documentary film. We capture the reaction of your parents, the look on your face, and the words you speak, all without you noticing we are there.

3. The Reception: Layers, Light & Motion

Real Interactions, Real Relationships

The reception is often where the magic happens. With the formalities paused and the pressure off, this is where you and your guests are truly yourselves. We use this freedom to create our most interesting work—finding layered compositions, playing with natural light, and capturing the energy of the room. We look for the connections: the way your friends make you laugh, the way families interact, and the chaotic, beautiful motion of the party. It’s not just coverage; it’s a study of the people you love.

Child observing wedding guest gathering on staircase.
Woman kneeling, helping children in patterned dresses

4. The Portraits: Being Your Eyes

While You Step Away

Unless you particularly want your portraits captured in motion, we typically use this time to stay right where the action is: with your guests. We know this is the one part of the day you physically miss, so we become your eyes, capturing the banter and the atmosphere that continues while you’re gone.

If you do choose to have us accompany you, we simply shadow your photographer, capturing the natural interaction between the two of you without ever adding to the direction.

“We were delighted with our Wedding film that Matt and the York Place team produced. He captured the day perfectly and in exactly the documentary style that we wanted – no staged shots, just capturing the energy of the day – a perfect way for us to relive it!”
– Mel & Tom
 

5. The Formals: The "In-Between" Moments

The Reality Behind The Pose

We don’t film lines of people smiling at a camera lens—that’s what photographs are for. Instead, we look for the comedy and character in the ‘in-between’ moments. We film the banter between friends as they shuffle into position, the chaotic organization of the big group shot, and the natural interactions that happen when people are taken out of their comfort zone. These unposed, imperfect split-seconds often tell us more about your friends and family than the formal photo ever could.”

Family at outdoor wedding with kids in matching outfits.

6. The Speeches

Capturing the Narrative

Whether they are funny, emotional, or short and sweet, we capture the speeches with crystal-clear audio fidelity. While we often use these words to weave a narrative spine through the film, we never force a formula. If the speeches tell the story best, they drive the edit. If the day is better served by music or ambient sound, that’s the path we take. We simply ensure we capture every word perfectly so the option is always there.

Not a fan of hearing your own voice? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. While we record everything perfectly, we only use audio that flatters the story. If you’d prefer a music-led film with minimal dialogue, we can do that too. You have final say.

7. The Party: In The Action

The Dancefloor is for Dancing

When the lights go down, we don’t stand on the sidelines observing from a distance; we get in the mix. We believe the only way to capture the true energy of a great party is to be right in the middle of it. We film wide and close, capturing the euphoria, the singing, and the shapes being thrown, right in the heart of the action. No bright video lights killing the vibe—just the raw, unscripted energy of the best night of your life.

“If you’re debating which wedding videographer to go with, go no further! Matt & Alex are the people you want! There are no words to say how amazing our wedding film is! I couldn’t have asked for anything more special to capture our day and they put it together magically!

On the day they worked so professionally and discreetly, you won’t know anyone’s there with a camera!”
– Charlotte & Tom 

READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?

No scripts, no templates, and no directing. Just the two of you and the best day of your life. Let's see if we are free to capture it.
START THE CONVERSATION
Trusted by the Industry
Educators & Speakers
We don't just capture weddings; we are dedicated to the craft of filmmaking. We have worked closely with Fujifilm, representing the brand as official speakers at major industry events including The Photography & Video Show.
Videographer Matt Thompson (York Place Films) delivers a talk at The Photography & Video Show in Birmingham
We are passionate about unposed cinema and regularly train other professionals on our approach. From NineDots to X-Weddings, when you hire York Place Films, you are hiring the team that teaches the professionals.
Read more articles about documentary videography and photography
family portrait photography captured in a family garden - young girl in pink dress spins a hula hoop in the foreground, whilst in the background another girl holds a spacehopper as her brother approaches her with lobster claw toys replacing his hands
Documentary Family Photography
What is documentary style family photography and what makes it such a special way to capture family memories?
What Is Documentary Wedding Photography?
“Documentary style wedding photography” is a common term, but what does it actually mean and how does it work?
Candid wedding photograph - boy in zebra mask looks at poster of an elephant at London's One Friendly Place
Documentary Vs Reportage Vs Photojournalist Wedding Photography
A detailed breakdown of the various terms and buzzwords related to documentary wedding photography
natural wedding photographer
Your Documentary Wedding Videography Questions Answered
Documentary wedding videography? What is it, how does it work and why should I consider it for my wedding? Your questions answered.
WHAT-IS-A-DOCUMENTARY-WEDDING-PHOTOGRAPHER
A quiet moment as a bride sits in a vintage Mini, city graffiti bright behind her.
Documentary Wedding Photography – Your Questions Answered
Here we answer some of your most frequently asked questions about the documentary style, from questions about groups to the use of flash.
Documentary Wedding Portraits
Documentary photographers don't pose photographs, so is there such thing as a "documentary portrait?"
Wedding guests chatting outdoors as bride sips a drink, grandmother cuddles baby on hay bale.
Easy laughter and quiet conversations unfold in the warm air of a summer wedding afternoon.
Wedding Photography & Videography – The Key Similarities & Differences
Wedding Photography & videography are separate mediums yet share many of the same themes. We explain the key similarities and differences.
Bride and groom chat with guests sitting on pavement outside brick building, summer wedding photography moment.
Guests spill onto the pavement, laughing and talking outside the brick building as the bride and groom stand among them.
Street Wedding Photography
An exploration of Street Wedding Photography - a variation on traditional documentary photography that we helped to pioneer