Memories in Motion
Kimberly Ryerson
Like your wedding photographs, your wedding video will become one of the most important keepsakes of your wedding day.
A wedding video lets you relive your special day as it unfolded, making you feel like you’re watching a movie where you and your fiancé are the stars. In addition, since the wedding day can be a blur of activity and emotions, many couples may experience some of the day’s events for the first time only through their video. Thus, it’s wise to budget for an experienced videographer who will put together a quality video of an event you are spending a lot of time and money on.
Though a key element for a wedding, some couples may decide on having their wedding videotaped at the last minute, or worse, leave it up to a well-intentioned, though painfully amateur, family member or friend. While your brother-in-law might be great at videotaping family parties, it’s best to let him enjoy himself during the wedding festivities rather than ask him to focus on recording them. If not held steady, the camera’s angle will be off or the sound of the bride and groom’s voices can be muffled, thus losing the entire precious moment and feeling forever. Because videotaping an event can be serious business, it’s best to leave that task to the pros, those who are trained to capture the very best of your special day on film.
Wedding video filming and editing technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, allowing for the production of a much higher-quality and customized product. DVDs are the new standard format. They offer more room for creativity and options than the obsolete VHS tapes of the past, and allow footage to be edited much more easily. Digital Video Effects, commonly called special effects, now include page turns, slow motion, black and white and sepia footage. Two other main advantages of the DVD format are the increased picture quality, as well as the ability to skip to any part of the disc without having to rewind or fast forward. Though it can be a bit pricey, you can also opt to have a streaming video of your wedding broadcast live on your wedding webpage. So, if your favorite second cousin can’t make it to your wedding, she can be right there with you and your fiancé as you exchange vows. Another option is to have your wedding video shot in high definition, which will produce images of the same quality as flat-screen televisions. Provided you view the video on an HD-compatible TV, you will enjoy picture quality that is amazingly sharp and clear. The caveat to this new technology is the relatively higher cost and having to find a videographer who has all the right cameras and editing equipment for high definition filming. If you can work it into your budget, it’s an option worth considering, especially as HDTV is likely to become more common in the future.
When choosing a videographer, there are many things to keep in mind, but industry experts agree that experience is one of the most critical factors. Wedding videos are a special product and you want to choose someone who is an expert in the
field. When meeting with prospective videographers, ask to see samples from at least three different videos. Evaluate the camerawork, editing style, and audio and visual quality on each. It’s also a good idea to view completed DVDs, versus only stylized highlights or clips, so that you are sure to get an accurate picture of the videograhper’s skill level overall. If it’s a large company, also make sure that the person whose work you are viewing will be the same person filming at your wedding.
After experience, another factor crucial to the overall quality of the finished product will be whether or not your videographer uses more than one cameraman (or camerawoman). While a second cameraman usually costs more, he or she can greatly enhance your video by being able to pick up an angle that the primary cameraman cannot get. For example, during the reception, one cameraman can capture the bride’s dance with dad, while another camera can record mom’s tearful realization that her little girl is all grown up. Both these images can then later be edited to appear on screen together, one in the primary window and one in a smaller one. Or during the ceremony itself, one camera can record activities up at the altar, while another gets an alternate angle of the recessional and processional. While one person can’t be in two places at once, multiple cameras can – giving you a choice of perspectives, and better ensuring that one of your special wedding moments will not be missed.
When it comes to your wedding video style, there are tons of options. The “love story” or how-they-met approach has become popular. For this style, the videographer might film a couple at some of their favorite spots, interview them about their
relationship, or get commentary from friends and family. This segment will usually appear before footage of the wedding ceremony. Another current trend is to shoot in a music-video style. Other options include documentary or video journalism.
Whether you’re more of a traditionalist or are looking to make more of an artistic statement with your wedding video, it’s important to express this vision to a prospective videographer. Try to sketch him or her a detailed picture of what you have in mind, and only sign a contract with someone who you feel can truly create a video in a style you’ll be happy with for years to come. Also, be sure to ask what kind of editing techniques will be used to put your footage together, as good quality editing will make a huge difference in the final product.
Don’t overlook the importance of the videographer’s personality. The person you ultimately select should be someone you mesh with well because you’ll be spending a lot of time together. In addition to being a pro behind the camera, your videographer should be able to communicate and get along well with guests in order to help make the day run smoothly. And, if you want to help make your videographer’s job easier, just relax, smile, and have fun. You can also encourage your guests to get involved in the process – interviews with them where they talk about their connection to the both of you or what they know about how much you mean to each other will make for great bonus material on your video. And, of course, let your cameraman know ahead of time what is most important to you to make sure certain elements are captured on tape. For example, you can ask him to videotape the look on your fiancé’s face as you walk down the aisle, or your first dance as husband and wife.
If you think about the money you’re willing to spend on the wedding elements that will only last one day (the flowers, the food, the cake, the music, etc.), it makes sense to invest in a professional wedding video that will increase in value over time and last for generations to come. It’s like inviting your future grandchildren to the wedding. And that’s something you can’t put a price on.