Matt Levins of Beyond Bliss Films isn’t just a wedding videographer, he’s also a recent Vermont wedding alum! He tied the knot in 2021, which gives him a fresh “just been in your shoes” perspective when working with clients. In learning more about his approach to wedding film making, we were struck by his dedication to the craft and his excitement for thoughtfully capturing each unique wedding.
The results speak for themselves. When you find yourself tearing up at a video of strangers, you know it’s good! Read on to learn more about Matt.
How did you get into the wedding industry?
I ended up in the industry accidentally on purpose. I knew I wanted to pursue videography after working as a student videographer at Castleton University. A bunch of people ask me to film their weddings while I was a student, but I felt like it was too much pressure, and I knew I’d feel bad if it wasn’t great since these were people that I wasn’t super close with.
The right opportunity arose when my cousin got married back in 2016; I casually filmed pieces of his wedding and posted highlights a throughout the next few weeks. Soon after, my girlfriend’s (now wife’s) sister got married in Florida and needed a videographer. She flew me down to Florida for the wedding in exchange for a wedding video.
How would you describe your style?
Our style puts our couples’ stories first. We build all of our wedding films using audio recorded from toasts, vows, notes, etc. and utilize this to tell the story of our couples and their wedding day.
Also, I try not to be noticed too much outside of the moments that we need to capture. I strive to look for those little moments that you may miss as the ones getting married. I’m talking about your cousins laughing in the corner, your nieces and nephews making the silliest faces, and those tears that are shed by guests during your father-daughter dance.
We also love to end our edits with a bit of fun, usually editing to the beat of the track and showing off all the wild dance moves of the wedding guests.
What inspires your work?
I’m inspired by the great photographers we’ve gotten to work with throughout the years. I find myself (more often than I’d like to admit) flipping through their blog posts from recent weddings, looking through their best shots, and brainstorming if and how they may translate to video and how to make them happen at the next wedding I film.
Just driving through the natural beauty of the backwoods of Vermont will some way, somehow give me ideas for filming and editing the next wedding.
Another huge inspiration is, of course, our couples. After the wedding, I take notes on little things that happen throughout the day that speak to the personality of our couples, as to make sure to incorporate the little details of this into their film.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is getting to know a little bit about our couples and their family/friends throughout the day. One of my favorite lines when I’m trying to get a laugh out of the group is to say something like, tell me about a funny moment from so-and-so’s childhood. After a pause filled with giggles, naturally, the room can’t stop laughing at a particular memory.
Any special tips for couples?
My tip to couples is to take it all in on the day. Don’t worry about the little things, once the day starts, everything somehow always takes care of itself.
I’d also offer thinking about videography as more of a forever gift to yourselves, instead of something that’d just be nice to have to look back on your wedding. Your anniversary, when your kids grow older, when a loved one passes away, and so many more moments will have you looking back on your wedding film!
What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?
The moment of absolute pure joy when our couples walk back down the aisle together, hand in hand, newly married.
What’s your favorite thing to do in VT? / Local spot to visit? Etc.
I love to snowboard, drink craft beer, and do other adventurous outdoor activities. I snowboard at Killington, and for après, my go to local spot is Sushi Yoshi.
If you had to choose another career, what would it be?
I think I’d be a builder, carpenter, etc. Much like video, you can turn virtually nothing into something far beyond your wildest dreams, but it takes patience and perfection throughout the process.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a proud cat father to Louie, never wanted to really go to college but somehow ended up with a Master’s degree, and prefer yankee swaps over secret santa’s.
What’s a song that always gets you on the dance floor?
Mr. Brightside by The Killers just hits different for some reason.
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Thank you, Matt! Learn more about Beyond Bliss Films in the vendor guide.
