DIY Videographer?

Has anyone had friends/family shoot video of the wedding and then have it edited (professionally) at home? What was your experience?

Here is what I've thought of so far:

Pros:

1. much cheaper ($1200 vs. $200)

2. professional editor can create essentially the same product as far as compilation, music, etc.

Cons:

1. have to ask guests/friends/family to do this rather than having a pro dedicated to it

2. risk having bad or un-useable footage (shaky camera, not in focus, etc)

3. have to have your own camera (we do, so this isnt really a con for us)

The best videos I've seen are between 6 and 12 minutes with some video mixed with photos as well. I'm thinking a home video might be an option for us.

Any insight is appreciated!!

Truthfully if you know someone who wants to try, the software to do make the video is REALLY easy to learn. My sister actually did my niece and nephews graduation videos with the mix of pictures and video clips. She did an AMAZING job. My sister is an accountant, not computer savvy at all, and she learned it in just couple hours. I would sugguest windows movie maker for newbies, for someone who is a more advanced I would use Adobe premier.

The perk of having a family member do the video is that you get so much more video to use. We are having my sister do a documentary style filming for the week we are in MX for the wedding so we will have video of rehearsal dinner, reception, excursions, etc. But we are hiring a pro for an hour for the ceremony so that my sister is not having to worry about the video while she is being part of the ceremony.

Does that help? Carla

Yes, that helps! Thanks! How much is the pro charging you for just one hour if you dont mind me asking? I hadn't considered that. I looked at several sites and the prices all seem to start around $1000 and we just dont have that in the budget. Of course, that is for a package including several hours of video.