They Were There
A wedding video service that puts the camera in the hands of the people who love you most.
A wedding video service unlike anything else. Based in Maryland, shipping across the country. A professional-grade camera, placed in the hands of your family and closest friends — edited into a film you'll want to watch for the rest of your life.
Family filmed wedding video service — They Were There
They knew exactly what they wanted. The ceremony with just family, then the celebration with everyone else the next day. Two different moments. Two different feelings. Both intentional.
The boutonniere came from his mom's garden. The food on the table was made by family — not catered, not ordered. Made. The backyard wasn't rented. It was just home.
When you watch the footage back, you're not watching a wedding film. You're watching his aunt mid-story, already laughing before she finishes. His dad holding up the ring, grinning. Her dad — the officiant — quietly going over his script one last time before the ceremony.
Nobody was performing for the camera. The camera was just there.
A professional film is beautiful. This is different — a compact camera, in the hands of the people who love you most, capturing what they actually notice. The inside jokes. The nervous energy. The crying that starts before anyone expects it.
Twenty years from now, you won't just remember your wedding day. You'll feel it again.
What Makes They Were There Different
01. An Award-Winning Documentary Wedding Photographer Behind Every Film
Most camera rental services send you a camera and wish you luck. We don't.
Behind every They Were There package is the Maryland-based wedding photographer who has documented 100+ weddings — who knows exactly where the tears start, where the laughter breaks, and what your family will wish they'd caught on camera. The shot list we build for you isn't a template. It's the product of watching hundreds of couples say their vows, and knowing — from experience — what matters most. Our professional editor also weighs in at this stage — bringing a filmmaker's eye to make sure nothing important gets missed.
I've teared up at more ceremonies than I can count. That's how I know what's worth filming.
02. The Camera We Chose for Our Own Family
I'd been looking for the right camera to film video for a long time. Until I found the DJI Pocket 3 — and I haven't looked back.
I use it to film my own children all the time. And honestly? They use it too — whenever something catches their eye, they just pick it up and go.
Lighter than a traditional camcorder. Sharper than a phone. Footage stays smooth even when you're moving. Three built-in microphones catch every whispered vow. It even takes photos.
No complicated settings. No experience needed. Just point, and film.
And the built-in skin smoothing? Not filtered. Not fake. Just everyone at their best, while being themselves.
03. A Quick Chat Before the Camera Ships
Every love story is different. Your day is different.
Before your wedding, we talk through your day — your timeline, the people you can't imagine missing on camera, the moments you're already hoping someone catches.
From that conversation, we put together a simple scene-by-scene guide just for your day — who should hold the camera and when, what details are worth watching for, and which moments to be ready for. Think of it as a loose roadmap, not a to-do list. If something gets missed, that's okay. But having a sense of the day means whoever is holding the camera always knows where to point it.
No other camera rental service does this.
04. We Don't Just Teach You How to Press Record
Most services send you a camera with a quick-start guide. We go further.
Before your wedding, you'll receive a tutorial video that covers everything — how to operate the camera, yes, but also how to actually film. How to follow someone without losing them. When to stay still and let the moment come to you. Where to position the camera during the ceremony, the getting ready, the reception. The simple techniques that turn shaky clips into footage worth watching.
Whoever is holding the camera on your wedding day won't be guessing. They'll know exactly what to do.
05. Edited to Make You Watch It Again. And Again.
Not slow motion. Not a music video where everyone looks beautiful but nothing actually happens.
We edit to the moments that made you feel being loved. Running toward each other. Laughing so hard you couldn't finish the sentence. That hug that lasted longer than anyone expected. Dancing like the whole room was yours.
That's what we edit for. The energy. The chaos. The joy that only happens when the people you love most are all in the same room.
The kind of film you watch once, send to everyone you know, and then watch again before you go to sleep.
How It Works
Book your package
Choose your camera rental package — one camera or two — and confirm your wedding date.Tell us what matters
1–2 weeks before your wedding, fill out a short questionnaire — your timeline, the people you want captured, the moments you care about most. We'll put together a simple scene-by-scene guide just for your day — simple enough for anyone to follow, no experience needed.Receive your camera
Your camera arrives 3–4 days before the wedding, fully charged and ready to go. Comes with a tutorial video and written instructions — take some time to test it before the day starts.Film your day
Hand it to whoever feels right. Let them film what they notice.Return & edit
Ship it back within 3 days. Your finished film and all raw footage delivered within 4–6 weeks.Price & Packages
Everything you need is here:
One DJI Pocket 3 camera
One tripod
One 256GB SD card
One carrying case
One protective case
One extra battery
One MicroSD card reader
A simple scene-by-scene guide just for your day
Arrives 3–4 days before your wedding. Return within 3 days after — two-way shipping included.
Delivered: one 3–5 minute highlight film + all raw footage. Includes one round of revisions.
Everything you need is here:
Two DJI Pocket 3 cameras
Two tripods
Two 256GB SD cards
One carrying case
Two protective cases
Two extra batteries
One MicroSD card reader
A simple scene-by-scene guide just for your day
Arrives 3–4 days before your wedding. Return within 3 days after — two-way shipping included.
Delivered: one 5–7 minute highlight film + all raw footage. Includes one round of revisions.
Before placing your order, please review our Rental Agreement.
FAQ's
About They Were There — Wedding Camera Rental & Professional Editing Service, Based in Maryland
Q. IS THIS ONLY FOR WEDDINGS?
Not at all. They Were There was built for any day worth remembering — a bachelorette weekend, a birthday celebration, a new baby's first moments, or simply a day with the people you love most. If it matters to you, it's worth filming.
Q. WHAT IS A DJI POCKET 3?
The DJI Pocket 3 is a professional-grade compact camera — a significant step up from a phone or a traditional camcorder. It weighs just 179g, fits comfortably in one hand, and shoots in 4K with outstanding low light performance and a built-in gimbal that keeps footage smooth even when moving. Face-tracking follows whoever is in frame automatically, built-in skin smoothing keeps everyone looking their best, and three built-in microphones capture clear audio — vows, laughter, speeches, all of it.
Q. WHAT IF WE HAVE NO FILMING EXPERIENCE?
You don't need any. Before your wedding, we'll have a conversation about your day — your timeline, the people who matter most, the moments you don't want to miss. From that, we put together a simple scene-by-scene guide written specifically for you, so whoever is holding the camera always knows what to film next.
The camera arrives ready to go, with a tutorial video walking you through how to operate it and some basic filming techniques to make the footage look great. A printed instruction card is included in the box, and the key buttons are labeled on the protective case. Good footage doesn't require skill. It just requires being present.
Q. WHAT IF WE WANT OUR GUESTS TO ENJOY THE WEDDING WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT HOLDING A CAMERA?
Totally understandable — and this is one of the most common questions we hear. Our suggestion: ask 2–3 friends or family members to take turns throughout the day. We also include a tripod in every package — during the ceremony, speeches, and some other moments, simply set the camera on the tripod so no one needs to hold it at all. What's more, our tripod is slim enough that it won't get in the way of your photographers or videographers. So don't worry — whoever is holding the camera can still be fully present and enjoy every moment of your day.
And honestly? Your family and friends are going to film on their phones anyway. They Were There just gives them something better and more convenient to shoot with — and turns all of that into a beautifully edited film worth keeping forever. ❤️
Q. WHO SHOULD HOLD THE CAMERA ON THE DAY?
There's no single right answer — and you don't have to figure it out alone. We'll give you specific suggestions based on your wedding timeline and the people in your party.
As a general guide: during getting ready, a bridesmaid or groomsman works well. During the ceremony, the camera can be placed on a tripod in the front row — the Pocket 3 is compact enough that it won't obstruct your photographer's view. During dancing and the reception, hand it to whoever is feeling it — a close friend, a sibling, anyone who's having a good time.
If you have two cameras, we'll help you think through how to divide them so nothing important gets missed.
Q. HOW LONG DOES THE BATTERY LAST?
The Pocket 3 comes with a high-capacity battery handle, giving you up to 7–8 hours of recording time — enough for most wedding days. Got an after-party? The camera charges fully in about 30 minutes via USB-C and can keep recording while plugged in.
Q. WHAT EDITING STYLE CAN I EXPECT?
Not cinematic. Not slow motion. Not a music video.
The edit is fast-paced, emotion-driven, and full of the moments that make you laugh, tear up, and feel exactly like you did on the day. We cut to the energy of the room — the chaos, the joy, the split-second reactions that disappear if no one catches them.
Twenty years from now, you won't just remember your wedding. You'll feel it again.
Q. WHEN AND HOW WILL THE FINISHED FILM AND RAW FOOTAGE BE DELIVERED?
Your raw footage will be available to download within 2 weeks of your wedding day — so you won't be waiting long to relive the day. Your finished film follows within 4–6 weeks. Both are delivered via private online links. Raw footage is accessible for 3 months, and your finished film for 6 months.
One tip: before shipping the camera back, it's worth making a quick backup of your footage to your phone or computer. And once your links arrive, save everything somewhere you love — these are memories worth keeping close.
Q. WHAT IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE CAMERA WHEN IT ARRIVES?
We test and fully charge every camera before it ships. If something isn't working when it arrives, contact us right away and we'll do everything we can to resolve it before your wedding day.
Q. WHAT IF THE CAMERA GETS DAMAGED OR LOST DURING MY WEDDING?
Normal wear and tear is covered. For anything beyond that — damage or loss — you'll be responsible for repair or replacement costs up to a maximum of $500 per item, or $1,000 per package. If something does happen, please let us know right away. And please do take care of it — if the camera is damaged, footage recovery is not always possible. Full details are outlined in our Rental Agreement.
Q. CAN I BOOK THIS WITHOUT BOOKING AIRA FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Yes. They Were There is available as a standalone service — you don't need to book Aira for photography to use it. All packages include professional editing and raw footage delivery regardless of how you book.
Already booking Aira for photography? You'll receive $50 off when you add this service to your photography package.
Q. WE ALREADY HAVE A VIDEOGRAPHER. DO WE STILL NEED THEY WERE THERE?
They Were There isn't a replacement for your videographer — it's something completely different. Your videographer records the process of your day. We tell the story.
This camera captures the unscripted, unpolished, wonderfully chaotic version that only happens when no one's performing for the camera. The friend who never got a mic finally gets to say the thing they've been saving all year. You and your besties can finally just be yourselves. Someone shoves their face into the camera, someone else screams at the top of their lungs — and that TikTok clip idea you've been saving for the right moment? This is it.
They Were There makes sure that years from now, you can still remember all the details of the day, hear the laughter, see the tears, and feel exactly how you felt in that room. And that's the wedding film you'll want to watch again and again and again. ❤️
Q. WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION OR RESCHEDULING POLICY?
Cancellations:
- 30+ days before your wedding: full refund
- 15–30 days before: 50% refund
- Within 15 days: no refund
Rescheduling:
- 15+ days before your wedding: one free reschedule
- Within 15 days, before the camera ships: 20% rescheduling fee
- After the camera has shipped: the rental period has begun and rescheduling is no longer available
For full details, please review our Rental Agreement.
Reviews
"I can't tell you what it means to us to have this film... We had the best experience and could not recommend you enough!"