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Does Videography Deserve a Place in the Wedding Budget?

6/27/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
Another edition of "Ask Rev. Ann" today!

In a recent consultation the bride and groom asked for my opinion on hiring a videographer for their wedding festivities. They liked the idea of having the event recorded for posterity, but weren’t entirely sold on fitting it into their budget. They have a friend, an amateur with a video camera, offering to videotape the wedding and wanted my thoughts on professional verses amateur videography.

So without further ado, here are those thoughts.

I used a videographer for my wedding back in the days when VHS was the predominant medium and the technology for digital video may not have even been on the drawing board. Hiring the videographer was almost a last minute decision when we realized we had a little extra money left in our wedding budget. I’m so glad we did! It is a lot of fun to go back and watch the video every couple of years or so, especially for my children. They cannot believe mom and dad ever looked so young…or could party like that. The picture quality is predictably VHS, but not dreadful. The only drawback is the sound. Sound capability has come a long way over the years. In our video you can’t really hear the details of the ceremony, but we do look nice. Which reminds me, we really should get on with transferring it to DVD, shouldn’t we?

Today, the technology is much better and the quality of the end product has a much longer shelf life. Even if you think you have a laid back personality and aren’t prone to stress, I can promise you your wedding day is going to pass in a blur. When you view your wedding video for the first time you will experience the occasion in an entirely new way. A lot of “oh wow” moments are virtually guaranteed. If you opt for a full package, getting ready for the wedding all the way through leaving the reception, you’ll get to see things that happened when you weren’t even around.

If you can fit it into your budget, I do recommend hiring a professional if at all possible. The difference in quality between amateur and professional can be metaphorically measured in light-years. Professionals have equipment an amateur can only dream about. Not only will the picture quality be much better, but sound is far superior with professional equipment than a basic hand held video camera. The videographer will typically mic both the officiant and the groom so, unlike me, you’ll be able to hear every word of your ceremony twenty years from now.

Professionals have the experience necessary to capture your day using the best angles and adjusting to space and lighting demands. And then there is the editing. When an amateur records your wedding, you’re likely to get “raw footage” and nothing else. A professional videographer will edit the footage and provide you with a polished product including the best moments and deleting embarrassing or boring moments. You’ll end up with a DVD that is fun to watch rather than tedious to wade through.

Videography isn’t a priority for every bride and groom, but if you’re interested in exploring the possibility, I can confidently recommend the following videographers here in Central Florida.

Cinema Chic Productions

Dillon Digital Video

Key Moment Films

Sarah Walker Productions


3 Comments
Susan
6/27/2012 12:52:58 am

Two very big thumbs up for this advice. If I could even find the 'raw footage' we got from an amateur volunteer, I'd be surprised. I do recall watching it once years ago and can wholeheartedly second the recommendation to budget for a professional! The amateur forgot they had the camera running and set it down on a table to record about 15 minutes of a sideways shot of a plate of chicken kiev being eaten. Not exactly what you want to keep for posterity.

Reply
Brian
6/27/2012 01:13:31 am

Well stated! I think the BIGGEST thing you miss when you choose not to make video a priority, is the AUDIO that comes with it! The Vows that are exchanged, the ballroom erupting in pandemonium as the Bride and Groom are introduced for the first time, the golden comments from friends and family, etc.

It's like the old song, "You Don't Know Whatcha Got, Till It's Gone"! Most people don't understand all they miss, until you've watched a good professionally shot video!

Reply
Kat link
6/27/2012 06:35:26 am

Awesome article! Spoken with truth, honesty, and personal experience. Video is usually the last add-on to a wedding, if even added but the first and most regrettable part of once in a life time event for not getting. You cannot remember your vows or the toasts via a photo. The difference between having a friend or start up company to shoot your wedding verses investing in a professional experienced company to produce a film that you, your family AND your friends will watch is .... priceless.

Thanks Ann!

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    Rev. Ann Fuller

    The commentary on this blog is my own opinion developed over years of officiating a wide range of wedding sizes and styles. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.
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