GENERAL WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY INFORMATION

Professional Video - Yes or No?

Should My Wedding be Videotaped?

What would it be like to view a videotape of your parent's - or even your grandparent's wedding?  One of the biggest regrets couples experience after their wedding is the decision not to have professional video.  Conversely, couples having professional video are more extremely eager to see their video when they return from the wedding trip.

Despite the wide availability and acceptance of inexpensive, compact high-quality consumer camcorders, the demand for professional wedding video has increased over the years and good videographers are finding themselves in increasing demand. Contemporary informed brides place high value on wedding video. After-wedding surveys reveal that those who had their weddings taped consider it an excellent investment.

So, your decision should be based strictly on your personal desires, since the basis of objections to early videos has been eliminated.

Why should I hire a professional when my uncle can tape it for free?

Consumer (and even low-end inexpensive "pro") videos fail due to poor audio, inadequate planning and coordination to blend with the flow of the event, use of only one camera, shaky images, and insufficient battery capacity. Like photography, simple videos done by the guests are a nice adjunct to, but no substitute for, the professional video. There is no substitute for a professional who comes prepared with the right knowledge and equipment,  respects the rules of your ceremony, and is focused on creating your video and is not there to "party."

Some believe that asking a guest to make the official video is bad manners, and if the video fails, the relationship is tarnished.  Clergy have admitted that most problems with intrusive video occur with guests, not professional videographers.

What about all those lights, cables, and equipment?  Will it overpower my wedding?

Today's techniques and technology have given us small light-sensitive cameras that will render the videographer almost invisible!  If you look objectively, you will see that photography has much more impact than video on the nature and flow of the wedding day .  Video has no flash, no shutter or winder noise, no posing, and no commands to smile.

But if your videographer's advertising says "unobtrusive," get clarification.

Many believe incorrectly that an on-camera light is less intrusive than a powerful light on a stand.  You may find that a 50-watt light at eye level is more disturbing than a 1000-watt light bounced from the ceiling.  Work with your videographer to make the trade-offs that are right for your wedding.  Still, you need to decide on a trade-off between low intrusion and accurate color and imaging.  If you want a live camera broadcast look, you have to accept some lighting.

How can we get something that isn't trite or boring?

The best way is to commission a videographer based on his talent and capability to produce a unique video and devote the time necessary with your event.

The biggest factors in creating an interesting, content-rich wedding video are planning, videographer talent, and level of editing.  A content-rich video captures the decisive moments of interest, and crisp editing brings them out. 

A recent arrival on the wedding scene is the short-form wedding video, where the entire day is presented in a creatively edited and composed 30-40 minute presentation.   (This is not the same as a highlight video.)

How much will our video cost?

Let your overall wedding budget and the amount set aside for photos be a guide. Worthwhile, professional video deserves an investment equal to or greater than photography.   If you want video but are on a tight budget, eliminate the fancy editing, montages, and effects. (You already own the pictures, right?)  Also think about your overall priorities.  For example, perhaps that last hour of open bar could be sacrificed.

If video is a priority but your finances are limited, make sound and image quality important but ask for simpler editing and eliminate the photo and ending montages.  You have not a cent to waste on an incompetent but cheap videographer!

- Mark Goldberg’s Wedding Photography and Video FAQ’s, by Mark Goldberg.

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