Hey there!

Hi, I’m James, the filmmaker behind James Ryder Films.

I’m based in Burton upon Trent with my wife Tina. We’ve been together for 17 years and married for 10, so weddings are something I’ve come to appreciate not just through filming them, but from my own life too.

Outside of wedding videography, a lot of life revolves around the simple things we love most. Good coffee is definitely one of them. We’ve spent a lot of time putting together a coffee setup at home, and whenever we travel, we’re always on the lookout for new coffee shops to try. I’m also a big lover of food, and we both love travelling whenever we get the chance.

Music has been a huge part of my life for a long time too. I’ve been playing the saxophone for 30 years, and that’s actually how I first got into the wedding industry. Being around weddings in that way gave me a real appreciation for the atmosphere of the day, the people, the energy, and the moments that make each one feel completely different.

All of that shapes the way I see weddings now as a filmmaker. For me, it’s never just about how a day looks. It’s about the feeling of it, the people around you, and the moments that stay with you long after the day itself is over.

My Approach

Of all the suppliers you'll book for your wedding, your photographer and I are the ones who'll be with you for the whole day. That's something I take seriously. From the moment I arrive to the moment I leave, I'm on your side — relaxed, easy to have around, and completely focused on making your day feel as natural and enjoyable as possible. Before the day we'll have a proper chat about what matters most to you, the moments you want captured and the people you want me to look out for, so that when the day comes you can just enjoy it and trust that I've got it covered.

When it comes to big moments like these, video is so important because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I lost my dad when I was in my early twenties and I have very little video of him. I can barely remember what his voice sounded like now. That stays with me. It means that when I'm filming, I'm never just focused on the couple. I'm watching the parents, the grandparents, the friends who've been around forever. Because those are the people your family will want to see again one day.

FAQ

  • I live in Burton On Trent, on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The location makes it ideal for me to travel either North or South of the country and I am very happy to travel.

  • Yes I am!

    I use a 2-3 different cameras during the ceremony and speeches that allow me to capture many different angles and giving your wedding that professional look!

  • During the edit of your film, i go through an extensive process to pick a track that will suit the mood of your day. I believe strongly that music and audio play such an important part of the film and as such I make sure that all music that is used is licensed

  • As early as you can, sometimes I have been booked up to 3 years in advance. So in order to avoid disappointment, i would recommend booking ASAP.

  • You can head over to my contact page and fill out the form and i'll get back to asap. You can also head over to my instagram page and send me a DM on there.

  • Absolutely! A Deposit will guarantee your date of your wedding and as my diary fills up, it's always recommended to get that in ASAP. I normally take 25% of fee in that deposit.

  • Yes, I have full public liability insurance.