Drones are remote-controlled helicopters that come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, they have very powerful cameras (like a GoPro) strapped to them. Drones are also known as “unmanned aircraft.” And couples are increasingly looking to make them a part of their weddings. The bad: Drones are noisy and, in the wrong hands, potentially dangerous. The good: Photography drones produce beautiful, cinematic aerial shots. These remote-controlled quadcopters offer a macro view of your wedding that no one gets to see. Bonus extra: Even Martha’s into drones. If you’re considering wedding drone photography, heed these tips before taking flight. First, make sure drones are allowed in your venue’s area. Kristy Ryan of Blush Wedding Photography, who uses a drone for both wedding day and engagement shoots, told BuzzFeed Life: “Policies are always changing.” Drones are banned at all major National Parks and some cities don’t permit flying over private property.

The FAA is releasing an app this summer called B4UFLY that will tell you if there are “unmanned aircraft” flying restrictions based on your location. For now, this FAQ page is a good resource. Wineries and private estates are prime venues for drone photography. That’s according to wedding videographers Sigmund and Mariane Reboquio of Reb6studios. They told BuzzFeed Life that some venues just “yell for an aerial shot.” The opening footage from a gorgeous Malibu wedding video (below) is an example. Prices can range from $200 for one hour to a flat $700+ fee. Reb6Studios charges couples a flat fee: $700 and up for wedding video with drone services as an add-on. Others charge by the hour. Arid Productions, a Phoenix-based studio, prices their videos at $200 for the first hour of shooting and $75 for every hour after that. Some photographers, like Chris Geiger ($1,695 and up for video only) and Blush Wedding Photography ($4,900 for complete wedding day photography), include drone shots as a standard part of their wedding package.

Drones are sometimes a good distraction. “From our experience, most guests are amazed by it,” Sigmund of Reb6Studios told BuzzFeed Life. “They actually approach us and ask us to take selfies with it. The drone becomes an instant celebrity.”Wide, open spaces are better. Ryan told BuzzFeed Life that, for drone shots, simple backgrounds are more attractive. Plus, shooting in open spaces is also good for safety. As a rule of thumb, Ryan said, “We will never shoot in the city and never in larger populated areas. People think [drones] are toys, but they can be very dangerous.” She also advises couples to check if their photographer is insured in the rare case that they do hurt someone or something. Higher is not always better. Shoot at an angle. “So you can see more of the couple’s bodies, and not just the top of their heads,” Ryan advised. Aerial shots take time to set up. Between setting up the take-off area to double checking that the batteries are charged to ensuring that the drone’s camera has a solid WiFi connection, the set-up process can be very tedious.

“The couple has to make sure they have the time in their schedule to make a drone shoot worth it,” Ryan said. Drones are something your gadget-enthusiast partner can get excited about.parrot ar drone with radio If he or she isn’t exactly thrilled about planning every detail of the wedding, having a drone shoot may be something your fiancé(e) can be psyched about.drone buying guide Ryan’s husband built the three drones displayed in their studio himself, and said tech-y partners light up when they see it.where to buy dji drone For destination weddings, aerial footage can give your wedding video a good sense of the surrounding city.ar drone 2 resetten

Check out Portugual-based studio VIP Weddings for ideas on how to capture the landscape via drone. Aerial photography isn’t limited to drones. Mikaela of Mikaela Ruth Photography jumped aboard the groom’s father’s helicopter for this shot.ar drone 3 kopen Realistically, your photographer won’t have access to a helicopter, but if you want the look of an aerial photo, a photographer may be able to climb the peak of a nearby hill, get access to rooftop, or use a ladder to get that macro top-down image.ar drone 2 mode rc You could also – *gasp* – get your own drone. If you (or someone in your wedding party) is a talented remote control pilot, buying your own drone may be more affordable than hiring a photographer to get the same footage. But you’ll have to edit it yourself. The most popular photography quadcopter, the DJI Phantom 2, ranges from $859 to $1169.

The cheaper Phantom 2 comes with a mount for your GoPro, while the more expensive Phantom 2 Vision Plus includes a 14MP, 1080p camera aboard. For those with non-Phantom aircraft, B & H Photo has a good guide on what accessories (stabilizing gimbals, etc.) you’ll need to set up your own photography drone. You gotta admit … these photos are pretty ~fly.~ Let us know your drone feels in the comments. Top 10 drones you can buy for less than $300 [2017] Top 10 drones you can buy for less than $300 …The good folks at Air Hogs, purveyors of fine toys that fly, have come out swinging in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens toy event with both an X-wing starfighter and a Millennium Falcon quadcopter with which you can perform Kessel runs as you see fit.The Falcon cleverly conceals the four rotors that keep the toy aloft within the body of the ship, and can be operated from 200 feet away. It also comes equipped with a whole mess of LED lights and sounds, which explains the six required AA batteries.

The remote control for the thing includes a "Hyperspace" mode, which one assumes probably makes some wicked sounds of its own. The X-wing starfighter by comparison seems tame, with two ducted fans rather than the four rotors. It can, however, be controlled from up to 250 feet away, which is an extra 50 feet over the Millennium Falcon. Plus, you know, it's an X-wing, and some folks prefer the fighter to the freighter. The Millennium Falcon is currently available at Amazon, while the X-wing starfighter doesn't appear to be up quite yet, though you could likely also pick it up at your local brick-and-mortar store. Watch This Badass Woman Try To Shoot Down A Drone Filming Her House Drone Smashes Through Window of 27th Story Apartment Drone Causes 1,500 Elk Stampede in Wyoming Watch These Siberian Tigers Completely Demolish a Drone France Is Training Eagles to Take Down Terrorist Drones The Scorpion-3 Is the World's First Manned Hoverbike The Ragtag Drone Air Force Ukraine Built to Fight Russia