Business Details
22 Years
experience
Award-Winning Wedding Cinematography Services
Since 2004, Charles Lauren Films has established itself as a premier wedding cinematography company rooted in Southern California. Founded by David Charles and Kelsey Lauren Pluskat, our team brings a unique blend of Hollywood expertise and heartfelt storytelling to every project. With decades of combined experience in film production and community storytelling, we specialize in creating emotionally resonant wedding films that capture the authentic essence of each couple's special day. Our approach combines technical precision with creative artistry, utilizing digital cinema cameras and advanced editing techniques to produce films that feel like feature-length movies.Recognized as Emmy-nominated filmmakers and inductees in The Knot's Los Angeles Hall of Fame, we maintain rigorous quality standards while offering personalized service. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through meticulous attention to detail, from capturing fleeting moments during ceremonies to crafting compelling narratives that highlight each couple's unique love story. We operate with full transparency, ensuring clients receive exceptional value through customizable packages and timely delivery of professionally edited content.
Services
Wedding Films
Trailer Videos
Drone Footage
Love Story Films
Ceremony Coverage
Same Day Edits
Rehearsal Events
Raw Footage Delivery
Highlight Reels
Biographical Features
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of combined Hollywood filmmaking experience
- Our team uses professional digital cinema cameras and advanced editing techniques
- We guarantee delivery of fully edited films within 12 months
- We provide personalized service with flexible meeting options worldwide
- Our films have been featured in 600+ weddings across multiple continents
Associations and certifications
- Emmy Nominated
- The Knot's Los Angeles Hall of Fame
What people say
Best Wedding Filmmakers
Brought tears to eyes
Flawless work
Worth every penny
Captured perfect moments
Services
Wedding Films
Our signature wedding films capture your special day in cinematic quality. Using professional digital cinema cameras, we document ceremonies and receptions with artistic composition and precise timing. Each film preserves authentic emotions through unobtrusive filming techniques that respect your event's flow while ensuring every meaningful moment is recorded. Our editing process transforms raw footage into compelling narratives that reflect your unique love story.
Trailer Films
Trailer films provide condensed 2-3 minute versions of your wedding highlights. These shareable videos feature key moments like first looks, vows, and first dances, edited with cinematic transitions and music. Ideal for social media sharing, they offer guests a preview of your full-length film while maintaining professional production quality that showcases your event's most memorable sequences.
Drone Footage
Professional drone footage captures breathtaking aerial perspectives of your wedding venue. This service documents architectural details and event scale while adding dynamic transitions to your final film. Our FAA-certified operators follow strict safety protocols to obtain legally compliant, stabilized aerial shots that enhance your wedding's visual storytelling without disrupting guest experiences.
Love Story Films
Love story films document your relationship journey through interviews and photo collections. These biographical features combine 'he said/she said' narratives with historical images to create emotional backstories. The final product provides context for your wedding day by illustrating how your relationship developed, featuring comedic and heartfelt moments that personalize your cinematic experience.
Same Day Edits
Same day edits deliver 3-5 minute highlight reels within hours of your event. Created during the ceremony and early reception, these videos showcase key moments like grand entrances and first dances. The finished product can be screened at your reception, allowing guests to relive immediate memories while maintaining professional quality standards through rapid on-site editing.
People
David Charles Pluskat
Cinematographer/Editor
With film production expertise from California State University and Sony Pictures experience, David has created wedding films since 2004. His background in community storytelling and technical precision ensures cinematic quality in every project.
Kelsey Lauren Pluskat
Cinematographer/Editor
Former assistant producer for PBS's California's Gold, Kelsey transitioned from documentary television to wedding filmmaking. She specializes in narrative structure and creative editing, bringing documentary-style authenticity to each couple's story.
Heather
Cinematographer
Pennsylvania native Heather brings media production expertise to the team. With years of experience filming weddings, she creates comfortable environments that help subjects express natural emotions during events.
Amanda
Cinematographer
Film school graduate from Cal State Fullerton, Amanda combines technical training with personal connections to wedding filmmaking. Her background in both production and client relations ensures professional quality with personalized service.
Questions
What wedding film packages do you offer?
We offer four primary packages: 5-10 minute ($2,500), 10-15 minute ($3,500), 20-25 minute ($4,500), and 40-90 minute ($5,500) films. Optional add-ons include drone footage, trailers, and same-day edits.
How do you approach wedding day filming?
Our team uses unobtrusive techniques to capture authentic moments. We arrive early to document preparations, film ceremonies/receptions with multiple angles, and prioritize emotional storytelling while maintaining cinematic quality standards.
When will we receive our wedding film?
We guarantee delivery within 12 months. Most couples receive their films within 6-9 months, with Instagram previews delivered within one week of your wedding date.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yes, we film worldwide. Our team has experience working in diverse locations from California venues to international destinations, with flexible meeting options through Zoom or in-person consultations.
What makes your films unique?
Our Hollywood-trained team combines cinematic techniques with documentary storytelling. We focus on emotional narratives rather than formulaic templates, using professional-grade equipment and advanced editing to create films that feel like feature movies.
Videos
