Getting It on Video
Having a videographer document your wedding gives you another visual way to remember your wedding day. It's a fad that became a trend, and now more couples are adding this service to their wedding.
As video cameras become more popular and are priced more affordably, more people have started recording their own special events.
And the Oscar Goes to …
Of course, wedding videos run the gamut from choppy homemade productions to master works of art worthy of an Academy Award. Prices vary widely as well, ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands.
With this kind of expenditure, it's important to look carefully for a good videographer, especially since many couples want their videographer to be just as good in quality as their photographer.
Gather recommendations from the same people you ask about photographers. In addition, you can ask your photographer to recommend a videographer, because the two often work together.
Choosing a Videographer
Many of the interview questions you ask of your photographer also pertain to a videographer. Ask to see a sample of the prospective videographer's work. Find out what kind of equipment he will bring to the wedding, whether sound will be recorded, and whether he will edit the video. Will you be able to copy the video?
What are the benefits of videotaping our wedding?
The video that a videographer produces allows you to watch your wedding and reception again and again to relive that special day. If friends or family are unable to come to the wedding, a video is a vivid way to show them the event.
Beware of well-intentioned but inexperienced family members who have just bought a new videotape recorder and can't wait to use it. Sure, they can bring it to the wedding and make a video for themselves, but do you really want to rely on Uncle Joe for your wedding video? Only you know the answer to that question.
Uncle Joe may not have professional training, but what about that friend who graduated from film school and can't wait to be the next Hitchcock or Scorsese? Ask yourself the chances that your wedding video will look like a scene from Rear Window or The Departed. If the answer is something you can live with, go for it.
No matter whom you ask to perform videography duties at your wedding, make sure the quality of the video will be as good as a professional job. If so, then you have your videographer, possibly for the price of the videotape.
Three Possible Scenarios
Essential
Maybe you want a video of your wedding day but you just don't have the money or a friend or relative who can do the job. Think about having just the ceremony videotaped. For many couples, that's the most important part of the day anyway.
Susan and Nick found a student photographer who does weddings on the weekends, but they decided that a video wasn't for them. “It just felt like too much for such a small outdoor wedding.”
Lynn and John have opted for a video of their wedding. They found a photographer and a videographer based on the recommendation of friends who'd been married recently. “We think it'll be wonderful to have a video to look at later.”
Kylie and Sean shopped carefully for their photographer, but decided against a videographer, preferring to spend the money on the band that is to be featured at their reception.
