In short
- First ask whether the moment was recorded. The answer decides everything else.
- If it was recorded, ask for it to be added, or for a full recording.
- If it was never recorded, look for other sources such as guest phones or photos.
- Do not recreate a real moment so that it looks like the original.
When a moment is missing, the first question is whether it was recorded. If it was filmed but not used, it can often be added. If it was never filmed, the options are different and more limited.
Step 1: Describe the moment exactly
Give your videographer the details that help them search:
- the time, or the point in the run sheet
- the place in the venue and who was there
- what was said or done
- a photo or a guest clip that shows the moment, if you have one
The clearer the description, the quicker they can check the footage. A vague note such as “the nice part with grandma” is harder to find than a time and a person. If you are not sure of the time, give an approximate range.
Say which video you noticed it missing from, such as the highlight film or the full recording, because each is edited differently.
Step 2: Was it filmed or not?
| Situation | What it means | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Filmed, left out of the edit | The footage exists but was cut for length or flow | Can it be added, or sent as a separate clip? |
| Filmed on another camera | A second angle may have it | Can the editor check every camera and audio source? |
| Filmed, but poor sound or picture | It exists but may be hard to use | What can be improved, and what cannot? |
| Never filmed | Nobody recorded it | Are there photos, guest clips or other sources? |
Our guide on colour and sound adjustments explains what post-production can and cannot fix.
If it was filmed
Ask for the moment to be added to the edit, or for the clip to be delivered by itself. Before you do, think about the effect on the video. Adding a moment makes the film longer or pushes out something else, so you may need to choose. Our guide on recovering a useful shorter video from a long draft helps with those choices.
If the moment is a speech, vows or a blessing, ask whether a full ceremony and speech recording was part of your agreement. That keeps the whole moment without cuts.
Ask whether adding it counts as a revision or as new scope. See video revisions, corrections and scope-change charges.
If it was never recorded
Reasons include two moments at the same time, a change in the order of the day, or a moment that was not on the run sheet. Look at what else exists:
- photos taken by guests or a photographer
- phone clips from family and friends, with their permission
- a venue or livestream recording, if there was one
- a spoken or written account, added as audio or captions
An editor may be able to use some of these, depending on quality and permission. Our guide on editing rescue from mixed camera and phone footage explains how that is assessed. Whatever you use, label it honestly. An extra shot filmed later should not be shown as if it were the real moment.
Preventing it next time
- List your must-have moments before the day. The must-capture moments checklist helps.
- Share the run sheet, and flag moments that happen at the same time. See the simultaneous coverage planner.
- Ask whether a second camera is needed. Read about multi-camera event recording, which we plan around your run sheet.
- Name a person who can point to key people on the day.
Our hub on mapping time, people and simultaneous moments goes through this in more detail.
If you have footage and want to see whether the moment is in it, you can discuss editing your event footage with us. We will look at what exists before we say what is possible. You can also keep track of requests with the video review and revision planner.
If you are planning an event and want your must-have moments covered, tell us the order of the day and who matters most. We will plan the coverage with you before the date.
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