What are My Wedding Video Options?
The multiple options available to you may seem daunting at first, but take a breath and wade through them; these choices will greatly affect your finished video.Some of the options you'll be offered:
- To HD or not to HD? High-definition video has twice the resolution of regular digital video, and will result in a high-quality product, but keep in mind that your guests will need HD-TVs to reap the benefits. An HD video will also cost you more, as the videographer will need to use special HD cameras, tapes and editing programs.
- Multiple cameras: Filming from multiple viewpoints can result in a video that captures many more important moments than a single camera. Again, multiple cameras will add to a videographer's fee.
- Sound: Check with the videographers you are considering to see what kind of microphones they're planning to use. If a videographer is only using the microphone mounted on the camera, he or she might miss important sound like the exchange of vows!
- Editing and special effects: Wedding video packages range from simple unedited footage to an elaborately edited final product with titles, photo slideshows, interviews and music. Some of the common types of videos offered include:
- Straight shot: The videographer just films the ceremony and reception from beginning to end, then hands the tape over.
- Documentary/interview style:Taking cues from the style of documentaries, the videographer interviews guests and bride and groom. May include the traditional "shaky camera" style of documentaries.
- Love Story: This style of video tells the story of you and your partner; how you met, how you fell in love; your story up to the wedding. This type of video often includes photo slideshows or even footage from your childhood.
- Master tapes and extra copies: Make sure to find out if the videographers you are interviewing will supply you with a master tape and how many extra copies they will make for you.
How to Pick a Wedding Videographer
A good place to start is at a bridal fair like the Southern Bridal Show and Expo or the Triangle Bridal Showcase. Another good method is to ask any married friends; their testimonials will be worth more than universally positive advertisements.Some other tips to keep in mind when seeking your ideal videographer:
- Watch as many videos as you can so you'll be able to judge what's you like and don't like in a wedding video.
- How long has the videographer you are considering been in business?
- Does the videographer have a payment plan?
- How long will it take to get your video back? (Good companies that do a lot of editing might take months to return your video.)
- Does the videographer have any former customers you can talk to?
- Find out details of packages and options (as described above.)
- Does the videographer have assistants? Are their fees extra? Who will actually be doing the filming?
- Is the person who will actually be filming you someone who you are comfortable with?
- Find out when your videographer will arrive and if you're expected to provide meals or parking.
- Make sure to watch a video from start to finish, checking for good lighting, sound and a stable camera.
- Ask video companies what photographers they recommend and vice versa.
- Photographers and videographers can give you advice on whether your chosen spot will make for good photos and video.
Should I Ask my Friend to do my Video?
If you have a friend who's an amateur filmmaker, you might be tempted to get him or her to film your wedding for free. This is your choice, but keep in mind, your friend's equipment is likely to be of lower quality than professional equipment and your friend will probably want to watch rather than film you.How to Share your Wedding Video
There are several options for sharing your video with your family and guests.- Make your video available to stream online; many videographers offer this now.
- Screen your video at a party after your honeymoon.
- Make individual copies and mail them out; if you're gung ho enough, you can even edit different versions that highlight certain people.
North Carolina Wedding Videographers
Carolina Wedding Videos (Clayton): Videographer and digital photographer serving North and South Carolina and Virginia.K.A. Studios Online (Charlotte): A wedding and event videographer based in Charlotte, K.A. Studios offers multiple cameras, customized DVDs and cinematic titles.
To the Moon Weddings (Charlotte/Rock Hill and Hickory): Serves western NC and other areas for a small fee; offers several video packages.
Life Stage Videography (Wilmington): This coast-based videographer offers multiple cameras, customized DVDs, online hosting of your video, optional iPod format and interviews.