Importance of videographer

[annieanddaryl]

Hi everyone - is anyone NOT getting a videographer? How important do you think this is? We are on a budget!

[Jess]

We aren't getting one - I personally don't think it is worth the money...I wouldn't really want to watch anyone's long wedding video - so I feel like people would think the same as mine....photos are good enough for me!

 

I have seen some that are under 5 minutes though - and those are great I think - but I still think they are pricey

[shellk]

i have the same problem.their prices are ridiculous.but i would like to play the ceremony at our ahr as no family members are attending.i think i am going to get our friend to do it who is coming with us.then i have a photographer friend who can edit it for me and make the dvd.even though we will never watch it after the newness has wore off i think it is a nice keep sake if you can do it for the right price.

[~Nicole~]

I'm probably not getting one. I would love to, but I am already way over budget. If I've got any room in my budget later on then I'll consider it, but every package I've seen looks really expensive. I don't think its a must have but some would feel differently. If you think you would really regret it later on, then maybe you could try to find a way to fit it in, otherwise I'm with Jess - I'll have a million pictures to capture the memories!

[katrina]

i'm going to offer the other viewpoint here. we paid an absurd amount for a video- $400 for 45 minutes. nuts, right? we've also only ever watched it once. BUT we didn't buy it for us. we bought it for our someday kids and grandkids. i think it will be something important to show them someday... that was worth the price to me.

[Jamaica0619]

We are going to end up paying $330 for about a 20 to 30 minute video. I'm guessing it will be closer to 20 minutes, and it will be just of the ceremony. It will be worth it (I hope), becuase we have a lot of family who cannot make it to Jamaica. And, we plan to play it at our AHR. Given I hate being videotaped, I probably will watch it only once - just to see what it is like

[annieanddaryl]

Thanks for all your great feedback ladies. All great points of views!

[PaulSchrank]

If you choose to have a video of your wedding day, choose your videographer as you would a photographer. It is the same technical skill, artistry and eye for composition that makes a video great and worth watching and sharing with others. Quality videographers will also have the same dedication to constantly improving their equipment to provide the best product. A quality video will provide great looking images as well as movement and sound. This makes it a unique and perfect way to share the day with those that couldn't be there.

 

Just like choosing a photographer it's very important to see samples of the work and the assurance that the same person who shot and edited the sample will be the person shooting your wedding. It's also important to know what equipment will be used. With the large screen TVs, you'll want a video that's shot in HD and delivered on Blu-Ray. Even the best standard definition camera will shoot in 480i at 4:3 (widescreen is 16:9 and 4:3 content is usually stretched to fit the widescreen, not very flattering). Ask if the video will be shot in HD and edited and delivered in HD. Many people are shooting in HD but editing and delivering in SD (standard definition). On a scale:

 

shot in SD, edited in SD, delivered in SD (poor)

shot in HD, edited in SD, delivered in SD (better)

shot in HD, edited in HD, delivered in SD (even better)

shot in HD, edited in HD, delivered in HD (best)

 

Frankly, the first option will be so disappointing it's not worth it at all. The last option looks so good it has the potential to wow people and be something you will play over and over for future generations.

 

Ask these questions:

Show me samples of your work

Will it be the same person(s) shooting our wedding

Will it be shot in HD

Will it be delivered in HD (Blu-Ray disc)

What camera(s) will be used

How will the audio be captured

 

Poor audio can ruin a video and render it unwatchable faster than anything else. With the wind on the beach it presents a special challenge that requires a skilled pro. Nobody notices good audio but everybody notices bad audio. The second thing that can ruin a video is not using a tripod. Handheld camcorder footage is very difficult to watch for more than a few minutes. Combine that with poor audio and you have a disaster that you will never watch more than once.

 

If you are intent on having a guest shoot it, buy an inexpensive tripod and have the operator stand by one of the speakers. A pair of headphones will help that person position themselves to avoid wind noise. Even putting your hand between the wind and camera will help. The sound will travel around your hand.

 

Finally, don't sell the editing short. Thinking that a friend will edit your footage for you, or that you will edit it yourself after the wedding may be over ambitious. These things have a habit of not getting done unless you pay a professional to do it. It's especially worth it if you want to insure you have a DVD to play at a AHR. It starts with well shot video, but it really comes to life with expert editing. Good editing will be the difference between something only you want to watch and something that everybody wants to watch.

 

Treat the video like you would the photos. Consider your guests that can't attend and give them an opportunity to experience the day. Make sure that the memories you capture are complete. Consider how important sound and movement are to these memories. If you do it yourself and buy a camera I recommend the Sony SR11 with a tripod. Sony also has a wireless Bluetooth microphone for about $150 that will really help with the sound. You can put the wireless mic on the lapel of the minister. Be sure the minister has their back to the wind, if not put it on the Groom and be sure he has his back to the wind. Don't forget headphones to monitor the sound.

 

I hope this helps, if anybody has any questions please send me a PM. I want everybody to have a great video of their wedding. Last Christmas we watched a tape of an 8mm film that was shot at our parent's wedding. There was no sound and there was not enough light in the church to see anything, but having the footage outside of the church before and after was priceless. We had three generations all watching the video as my parents pointed out all the different people that were there. It was great for me to see my uncle who passed when I was young, and to see my grandparents looking so young and full of life. And my Mom, wow! gorgeous, absolutely priceless.

[Michelle613]

I think it is very important. My engagement is on video and I've probably watched it about a gazillion times. All of our friends and family that weren't there also have enjoyed it and we've gotten great feedback on it. Because our wedding is away, many people probably wont get to see us walk down the aisle. Also, I can't wait to see the procession and what I look like walking down the aisle, etc, etc.

[SunBride]

Paul Schrank (see above) did my video. I've watched my 3 minute Highlights video about 20-30 times. Honestly! (I think I'm going to watch it now). He made it easy for me since it's available online

 

I also got the full length video. I showed it to my best friend (who sadly wasn't there), my grandparents (also not there), my parents (who were there but wanted to relive the moment) and I've watched it myself 2-3 times alone (so yes about 5-6 times total). The great thing about a DW is that the ceremony is usually short (mine was 20 mins) so it's a nice quick video to watch. Not like a 1 hour church ceremony.

 

If you can't afford a great videographer like Paul (really, try to. I know it wasn't in my budget either but when I saw his work I just had to have him) then at minimum get one of your guests to videotape the ceremony. Just know that the footage will be shaky and the audio probably not that good. But it's better than nothing. You will really enjoy being able to re-watch it. You may only watch it once immediately after the wedding (unlike me!) but you will probably really enjoy watching again in 20 and 50 years from now.