By Peter C. Goswick
President, Viewpoint Video Services
After your first kiss as man and wife, the cake is cut and
eaten, the guests have left and the dress is put away…. the one item to
bring back those memories with sights and sounds is video. As you are making
your plans and checking them twice, make the call to a professional videographer.
The right professional will produce a video that will include a lifetime of
memories. Video will allow you to share your special moments for years to come
with each other, with family and friends, and with all the generations that
will follow.
According to Tom Quiner of Breakthrough Marketing, the top five reasons couples choose to have their weddings videotaped are: 1) To show the video to future children, 2) To experience their wedding vows again, 3) To see and hear parents, friends, and family as they were on that special day, 4) To see themselves as they looked on their wedding day, and 5) The bride can see herself in her wedding gown.
In this article we will cover the pros and cons of having “Uncle Charlie” videotape your wedding versus using a professional videographer. We’ll also cover the types of formats and a to-do list when shopping around for a professional videographer.
The number one difference is quality.
Let’s start with the Uncle Charlie Syndrome: We will have family member or friend videotape our wedding. The pros: it’s cheap! Cons: These are all questions you will need to answer. Do they even know how to use or take good video? Do they own a tri-pod? Is the video going to look like you’re on the Titanic going down? Are you going to be able to hear the vows? Will they use external microphones instead of the on-camera microphone? Is one of my most important days going to depend on an amateur? Also, this person doesn’t get to spend much time with the guests because they are working.
I suggest you hire a professional. This is what they do for a living. The true professional knows how to tell a story, how to capture good audio and video and is there for one reason ~ to capture your day on video. They don’t spend time talking with guests, drinking and watching. Yes, it costs more –but isn’t your wedding day worth it?
When you are choosing a video professional to videotape your wedding take the same time as you do with the dress, your rings, the photographer. Set an appointment and view their work. Ask to see a full-length wedding they have done, not just their demo. Even if you have to fast forward through parts of it, you will get an idea of their style.
Go over your wedding day with them in detail. Have an outline of what you would like and the times each activity may take place -for example, if you are arriving an hour before the ceremony in a limo with your father. It’s very important that the videographer knows the schedule so he or she can shoot everything required.
Ask how they capture the audio at the ceremony. Most will take a feed off the main audio mixer in the church as well as putting a microphone on the groom. Some will even hide minidisk recorders at the alter and by the musicians etc. Hearing your vows is one of the most important aspects in a good video.
How many cameras are used at the ceremony? One is all a professional needs but two allow them more creativity. It usually will cost more for the second camera set up and operator but in the end those shots of mom and dad with tears in their eyes and close up shots of your faces can best be done with two or more cameras.
Today technology is changing so fast with Video CD’s, DVD’s and yes, even with Videotape. A true professional keeps up on all the new technologies and can offer you the very best in the media format you choose. Having your video so it can be played on a computer is nice, such as a Video CD, but you do lose some quality. DVD is today’s best way of offering and archiving your wedding video.
Like with every aspect of your wedding, check out the professional videographer. Ask what equipment they use, how long they have been in business and check samples of their work. Just like with the DJ’s, Caterers, the Reception Hall and Photographer, meet with them and discuss your wedding day. Yes, it does cost more! But, everything on your wedding day happens so fast and it happens once. Trust your day to a professional, everything else regarding your wedding you have.
For more information go to www.weva.com.
WEVA is the leading association of wedding videographers nationwide.
Viewpoint Video Services
(919) 384-8787
www.viewpointvideo.net