Planning for a wedding and making sure you have everything ready for the big day can be quite overwhelming. I bet you have overlooked getting a videographer because you never gave it a thought. Videographers will record the entire day’s events that you will cherish for years to come.
Think about it, you can have your wedding ceremony recorded hearing the two of you make your vows. Listen to the speech your parents made, how beautifully your gown flowed as you walked down the aisle or a special poem written by a close friend will be saved in time. The after ceremony party with friends and family will be recorded for all the funny moments, tender moments, and comradery.
Whether you should hire a videographer depends on how you feel about your wedding day. Do you want it recorded to enjoy on your anniversary or would you prefer not having it captured because you feel it’s just a fleeting moment? Maybe you don’t want to be seen on film or you don’t want to hear yourself falling over your words in an awkward moment. Either way, you just need to decide if this is something you want to be included in your wedding.
Getting The Right Videographer:
If you decide this is a great option, your next step will be deciding what style of videography you want before booking someone. Do you want laid-back country, very artistic, super chic, or something else? You need to shop around and find someone you really like and will deliver exactly what you are looking for. Make sure they understand what moments should be recorded and what moments would be out of line. I don’t think you want them recording two people duking it out or a glass of wine poured down your back by a clumsy guest! Or, maybe you would!!
How To Book Your Videographer:
Possibly you are not sure you want to hire a videographer or you don’t feel you will be able to fit it into your finances but then decide this is something you can do and want to do. You must hire someone as soon as possible. If you know from square one that you want a videographer, then you must book quickly and make sure you have the budget to cover the costs. Above and beyond all else, show them the same courtesy you do for other people involved in your wedding plans. Their schedule and other commitments might not fit your wedding date so you will have to find someone else. If you’ve sat on the fence and suddenly decide you want to hire someone, do it as soon as you possibly can, even if it’s a last-minute decision.
Do Your Homework:
Shop around before making a decision. You should get in touch with several videographers in your area before making your final choice. Videographers are just like photographers, they each have their own styles, tastes, and wedding packages to choose from. It’s really important you hire someone who will capture your wedding style and deliver what you are looking for.
You might want to speak with your photographer for suggestions regarding a videographer. Photographers have people in their network who interact with each other and can probably provide you with their personal suggestions. Both the videographer and the photographer must be on the same page so there won’t be errors such as a photographer’s flash going off and wrecking the video. If your photographer is using natural light, a video can ruin the entire effect. If your photographer has videographers he or she has worked with in the past, I’d take their suggestions and check these people out. On top of that, as they have worked together, you should get the results you want and there won’t be a bunch of misunderstandings.
Sit down and talk with the videographer so you will understand their style, let them know your preferences, and ask any questions you have.
Some Questions:
Ask if they will be shooting the video or will it be someone else? The last thing you need is having someone show up at your wedding and it’s not the person you were expecting. Double check and find out if the videographer you are interviewing works alone or do they have a team? Be sure you ask all the questions you need to know as well as any concerns you might have. What happens if on the day of the event, something happens and they will not be there? Make sure they have a backup plan that will keep everything moving along seamlessly.
Have you ever videoed a wedding before? This shouldn’t be your final decision as there are many very experienced videographers who have taped things a great deal more difficult than a wedding. On the other hand, if they have filmed weddings, you know they will understand all the various angles and what will provide you good light vs poor light.
If they have not taped a wedding but you really like their work, ask if they would like to come out and view the facility. There might be some specifics they will need to know ahead of time.
Getting back to their style of taping, you must know if they are into documentary style videos or do they prefer artistic avenues such as providing a video that is more like a movie. If it’s the latter, ask them if they would describe their style as “cinematic”. Before hiring anyone, make sure they understand what you want in your video and whether their style and your desires will match.
Their Schedule On Your Wedding Day:
Videographers often book multiple weddings on the same day, depending on how long their services will be required and how long the actual wedding will be. If this is something you are not comfortable with, then find someone who will only be working your wedding on that date.
Photographer vs Videographer:
Ok, so you got the videographer’s name from your photographer but ask the videographer if he or she is as positive about the photographer as the photographer is about them. Also, ask if they have worked with your other vendors so everyone will work well together and really like each other. Technically, even if some people do not like someone else, it’s not your problem. As long as everyone remains professional and perform their duties as expected, there shouldn’t be issues. It’s just nice to know everyone will work together, in harmony, and will be striving to give you a great wedding event.
What Hours Of The Day do They Prefer Shooting In?
You might have a certain event or moment that you want to be filmed. It might take place later in the day, so find out if this is something they can do. Possibly, you have booked them for only a certain number of hours but would like to extend that. Make sure they will be able to help you out. If that’s fine, will they have to use different film for the change in daylight? Cover all grounds before committing to a videographer. On the other hand, don’t go overboard making it very difficult for anyone to work with you! Again, these are professionals and should be treated as such. They are providing their services for your wedding so you will capture many great moments, they are not your servants.
Their Choice In Music:
Find out if the videographer selects their own music or will they work with you and some choices you might have. Many videographers add music to their films because it sets the mood. If you have choices, work with them to make sure your choices are going to add to the video or distract from it. Even if you are set on certain music if in their professional opinion it will distract from the film, take their advice.
How Their Video Will Be Saved & Delivered:
Ask your videographer how he or she records their film, do they record on tape or digitally? Do they back up their work and for how long? This could be important to know if somehow you lost your video. Know what the final format will be in so you will know if it’s compatible with your viewing equipment. Does the videographer edit their film before it becomes final and if so, do you get the entire footage or just the final cut. What if he or she loses the footage? Ask just about any questions you can think of regarding the entire process of filming your wedding.
When will your video be delivered to you?
Filming, editing, and completing a video can take from 2 to 12 months before the final product is ready for delivery. You will know approximately how long you will have to wait to get the finished product. Putting together and filming a perfect wedding takes a great deal of skill and knowledge, therefore, having to a wait for a certain amount of time will probably be worth it! You want the best quality video so sometimes having the patience of a saint might pay off!
Research:
Unless you know videographers in your area, go online and look up videographers. Many of them have their own websites that will show you some of their works and usually have a lot of information about themselves and their services. These sites will probably answer a lot of your questions and you will be able to view their specific style. There usually is a contact number so you can call and set up an appointment to sit down and speak with them. Find out where they are located in connection with the facility where your wedding will be performed.
The internet can help you save a lot of legwork and give you valuable information. Jot down names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the videographers you want to meet up with. If you do your homework and think “smart”, you will find someone who is perfect for you and your wedding day.