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“Why Should I Have My Wedding Videotaped?”
By Kyle Root
Look Mom Videos
(256) 457-7325

The most common question many couples have is, “Why should I have my wedding videotaped?” The answer is simple. There is nothing like a videotape to capture all the sights and sounds of your wedding day, an event which has become one of the major social events in a person’s life. There is no better opportunity to capture all of your family and friends and create a classic heirloom to be cherished for years to come. Many couples say that having a videotape made was the best thing they did on their wedding day.

The following list of questions & answers should provide some valuable insight, no matter which videographer you choose to film your wedding.

Why hire a videographer? Can’t a friend or family member videotape my wedding?

Certainly, but don’t expect professional results. Most family members do not have the right equipment or experience to properly film a wedding. Look Mom Videos has been taping weddings for many years, and we know all the ins and outs of capturing such an important event. We use professional 3-chip cameras, direct to hard drive capturing, state of the art computer-based editing equipment, professional microphones, and heavy-duty tripods.

How should I choose a videographer?

It’s a fact of life that price plays a key role in determining your selection of professionals, and there is a photographer and videographer for every budget. Once you determine your spending limit, then you can begin to evaluate your professionals for quality, experience and compatibility. A professional 3-chip camera is essential for filming the highest quality footage. Also, a minimum of 2 cameras (preferably 3 or 4) for proper coverage should be used. Ask your prospective videographer what equipment he or she will use at your wedding, and specifically who will be operating that equipment. Ask to see a sample of that person’s work. Don’t merely watch promotional videos - ask to see actual weddings with actual sound.

Won’t the cameramen be obtrusive and disruptive?

We have heard horror stories of bright lights during the ceremony and videographers stepping right up between the minister and the couple. Look Mom Videos makes every effort to record your wedding unobtrusively and tastefully, using no extra lighting, remaining stationary and silent throughout, and using a documentary filming style. Be sure you know what you are hiring!

What should I look for in a professional wedding video?

The picture and sound should be crystal clear. The titles should look professional and be easily read. The production should be tightly and tastefully edited, making the tape more enjoyable to watch than real time raw footage. Special effects should be enhancements to the production and not appear “gimmicky.” The most important element to shop for is the actual videographer, whose experience and talents are what you really want.

Will my photographer and a videographer work together?

Wedding videography is relatively new, only coming into its own in the past ten years. Wedding photography, on the other hand, has been around for almost 1½ centuries! Generally, photographers and videographers get along just fine. We have become friends with many of the local photographers, and problems have been few and far between. You should be aware that there are still some photographers that resent the rapid onslaught video has made on the market. Remember: your photographer and videographer are working for YOU on YOUR wedding day, so be sure to let ALL of your vendors know exactly what level of cooperation YOU expect. Your wedding day is not the time for a clash of artistic egos.

What if my church has restrictions on video?

It is the client’s responsibility to find out if there are any restrictions on photography and videography wherever the event takes place and to notify the studio(s) well in advance. Many churches and synagogues have guidelines, such as no flash photography and no moving around during the ceremony, and understandably so. The place of worship is not a television studio.

We strive to place a camera in a position that affords us a clear view of your faces during the ceremony. This is not always possible because some churches restrict all videotaping to the balcony only. Be sure to find out what is allowed before you contract with a videographer or a photographer. Look Mom Videos asks for access to the site of the ceremony 1 hour prior to the scheduled starting time in order to set up our cameras and microphones and to make a proper test of all the equipment. It is our experience that churches sometimes fail to schedule enough time between events, so be sure to find out exactly how much time you will have access to the site before and after the ceremony. Photographers, videographers, florists and other vendors need sufficient time to do their best work.

Should I provide a meal for the videographers?

We are on the job for sometimes up to 12 hours between the time we arrive at the bride’s home and the time we leave the reception. It is a welcome courtesy if you provide a meal for your photographers and videographers, and to provide it quickly so that we are ready to work again at a moment’s notice. Don’t feed your vendors last because you will probably want shots of the newly married couple as they greet their guests at the tables. If you cannot provide a meal, your media staff will need to take an off-site meal break sometime during the reception.

Should I sign a contract?

A contract protects both you and the videographer, and should be comprehensive and clear. Don’t hire any professional with merely a verbal agreement.

How long will my finished tape be?

The length of a wedding video depends on the events the couple wishes to have filmed. Typically we like to edit a complete production down to approximately 1 hour, but we have produced some videos that were well over 2 hours long. For a complete wedding video package this would include an opening Photo Montage or rehearsal video, pre-ceremony coverage, ceremony, reception and closing credits. We may shoot up to 15 hours of raw, unedited tape, and it will take several weeks to put the edited version together.

What happens if my copies are destroyed?

Check and see what your prospective videograher’s policy is on master tapes. We will retain a master copy of the edited video indefinitely. You will be able to contact us and purchase an additional copy. The new copy will be made by the same standards as the copy you had originally.

May I purchase the original, unedited footage?

Upon completion of your project, we include all the original footage, in the miniDV format, at no extra cost to you! At that point, you may store it in your safe or bank lock box for safe keeping.

Anything else you can think of?

Whatever studio you choose to videotape your special day, take the time to shop and look at the actual work, and hire someone you feel comfortable with. Remember, this is your special day and you want to be completely comfortable with the crew you’ve hired to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event!