Purple Thistle

ABOUT

Amanda Rose Wilder / As an artist I began as a poet, and then found filmmaking, and continue to bounce back and forth between these two mediums. I also love to work with my hands, and am building out a camper van to travel the Americans. But don’t worry, I clean up pretty well. The picture on the right is my daughter and I before I headed off to a wedding. She decided she wanted to put on makeup too, lipstick courtesy of a blue ring pop.

The picture on the left was taken at a film festival in Spain. I was there to screen a feature observational documentary I made, Approaching the Elephant. This film went to festivals around the world, played at the Museum of Modern Art, won multiple awards and was written about in The New Yorker. I shot and recorded sound for the entire film on my own, as a one-woman band, as I do for almost all weddings.

I consider wedding days exciting opportunities to step into communities and make something beautiful that reflects exactly who people are and reflects their experience. I have always been drawn to filming real emotions, and wedding days are full of them. Intimate weddings suit me a bit more than big weddings, but really I like any form, anywhere, as long as we share a desire to capture not fakery or anything staged but the gorgeous realness of your love and life.

My wedding films are: candid, authentic, documentary, artful, not formulaic

Spring 2025 weddings (March – May) I will be offering one complimentary roll of Super 8 film. I am excited to have completed the Super 8mm Course by Alesia Films and to start shooting film at weddings.

Upcoming travel: 2025 January + February ~ Europe

RECENT WORK

Documentary Film
Highlight Film

KIND WORDS

“That is the most beautiful video I’ve ever seen. Without any direction, you literally created a masterpiece. Just like I knew you would. I’m a vibes person and I told you first phone call, I had a vibe from first sight… You’re so amazing, Amanda! I would work with you over and over and over again. Thank you for being everything we wanted plus some.” – Elizabeth

I’ve been watching the video over and over again. You choreographed the emotions and scenes so perfectly…I also notice new small careful details you made every time I watch it again. And you were so observant to include the right people that meant so much that they were there. Not sure how you did that…” – Laura

We are so thankful for Amanda’s attention to detail, kindness, and beautiful video storytelling. I’d highly recommend Amanda if you are looking for a videographer who genuinely wants to help create something beautiful for your special day! – Lilli

“Hugest hugs and thank yous for all you did for our wedding. We could not be more appreciative that you were there with us. We both absolutely loved the way you handled everything on the day and talked about it many times. Your presence was joyful and calming and fit right in. You have a natural intuitive sense of where to be and how, which we really noticed and appreciated. Dave made a comment about how the best cinematographers have a quality that is hard to describe but that has to do with connection to others, reading situations, and holding space…Not to mention how great your patience and help was with all the logistical items that we were too overwhelmed to be on top of ourselves!! We planned to plug in the drives and quickly click through the footage yesterday to make sure it all worked ok technically, but we ended up spending an hour and a half glued to the screen in tears!! We are both over the moon with your work, it’s exactly what we wanted. It’s hard to believe our luck with getting you on board. All this to say — thank you!!!!” -Leigh

“A true visionary when it comes to documentary video! Easy going, with an eye for capturing authentic moments. Highly recommended artist!” -Tom

“We 100% recommend Amanda. She found those small moments and unexpected angles and genuine expressions and truly captured the essence of the night Thank you!!.” -Kelly

FAQ

Where are you based? Do you travel for weddings? While I am based in New England and New York City, you can take me anywhere! Some of my favorite places to travel and make films include Mendocino, California, the Southwest, coastal Maine and all over Europe. My travel fees will be included in the custom quote I’ll send you, so there will be no hidden costs later on.

What is it like to work with you? I am genuine, warm, and more often quiet than loud (this helps me take it all in!). I care a lot about the people I work with, and many clients become friends. As someone who has filmed weddings for 20 years, and because of my birth worker training, I know the importance of calmness, presence and holding space on days of major life transitions. On wedding days, I am there to capture the event as it unfolds. I do not direct.  I am there to artfully document. It’s about knowing where to be at the right moments. 

So you shoot digital and Super 8 film? Yes! Starting in Spring 2025 I will be offering Super 8 film. As someone who fell in love with filmmaking using standard definition digital cameras that produced imagery with soft and dreamy edges similar to that of film, I am really excited for this new offering. For March-May 2025 weddings, I will be offering 1 roll of Super 8 film complimentary. After that time I will be open to filming weddings with both digital and Super 8, as well as Super 8 only. Please get in touch if you want to know more.

What are your rates and offerings? Every couple brings a unique vision and set of dreams to their wedding day—and their wedding film should be no different. For a personalized proposal or to discuss how we can bring your vision to life, feel free to reach out. To give you an estimate, couples typically invest $2,500 and up. If you have a smaller budget, I have limited spots for filming and delivering just the raw footage, and you can budget for editing down the road.

When do we receive our film? You will receive your film within 12 – 16 weeks. I will create a 30 second teaser within a week of your wedding, and keep you updated along the way. I put a ton of energy into each film to make sure it’s just right, and never outsource the editing.

How do you handle music preferences? The right music is crucial. After we decide to work together, I send out a questionnaire to get to know you better. One of the questions asks your favorite bands and songs. We will talk about the mood you envision for your film. Ultimately I select the music from a premiere music licensing source, Musicbed. You can also choose to have no added music, and just hear the sounds of the day.  As someone very familiar with the documentary approach of direct cinema, in which no music is added, I appreciate this style as well.

How do I hire you? The first step is to reach out! After I receive your email, I’ll send over my calendar to set up a call. After we have agreed to work together, I will send over a contract which will have information regarding a deposit. From there, I will send you and your fiancé a questionnaire that has silly questions such as “if your wedding was a fruit, what kind of fruit would it be?” and more serious questions such as “if your wedding film is a success, what will it show?” We will set up time to connect ahead of your wedding day and plan a seamless timeline together.

CONTACT

Please write me at amandarosewilder@gmail.com