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WEDDING VIDEOS

Hello I'm Dennis the Production Manager for Awesome Videos. I want to take this opportunity to join the list of others by congratulating you on your engagement wishing you much success with the planning of your wedding. I have been filming weddings and different events for over 18 years and during that time I have worked with a lot of wedding vendor such as wedding planners, videographers, photographers, DJs and more. What if I could tell you how to save money, time and relieve a lot of stress on your wedding day; would you be interested in hearing what I had to say? If your answer was NO and you just want to know how much I charge for wedding videos click here (wedding packages). However if your answer was YES, then continue to read the information on this page and I promise you will find a couple of tips that will help you manage your time and pick the best vendors to serve you on your wedding day. Let's start with what to look for when hiring a professional videographer since I assume that's why you came to my site.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHER

 First thing to keep in mind is anybody can pick up a camcorder, point it and push record; But a professional videographer will use professional equipment such as broadcast quality camera, a stable tripod, a clear wireless microphone system, a lighting system and a backup camera in the event their main camera malfunction.
            Second, weddings are different from parties and other social events.  Wedding are very stressful to film because there is so much going on at the same time and you only get one chance to capture the moment. 
Let’s take a look at a moment that occurs at every wedding; The entry of the bride.
As the bride enters the room what is the main focus of the camera? Is it the groom’s reaction?  Every bride I have filmed wants to see his first reaction when she walks in the room wearing that special dress.   What about the father of the bride?  I’m sure he wants to see himself walking proudly down the aisle with his daughter.  And what about the mother is she crying tears of joy?
And let’s not forget the bride. 
A wedding professional should understand how priceless each emotion shown by each member is and will make sure they capture footage of each person so it can be edited together so the couple will be able to see their story unfold like a well written novel.

So your first question should be how long have you been filming professionally and how many wedding have you filmed. Please understand there are some good videogaphers that are just starting their business that will do a real good job because they need to grow their list of clients. You have to listen and look for their passion for filming and pleasing their clients.
There are also those that have been filming for awhile and haven't changed or updated their equipment and will provide you with a nice video; but why should you pay for a nice video when you can get a video with the wow factor for the same price.
So after you have found out how long they have been filming, why they started filming and you feel they have a passion for the art ask what type of equipment are they going to use to film your Wedding. 
I know you might not know the difference but if you ask questions like why do you use that brand or model, their answer will either set you at ease or raise a flag to make you wonder if they really know what they are doing.  There are a lot of people fiming weddings just for the money and it shows in their work! You want somebody with a passion and love for moving people emotionally with the gift God has given them.
Next you want to know if they will be the person filming and editing your wedding.  Please understand that there are some companies out there that sale demos and some videographers that buy those demos and show them to couples like you, only to leave you disappoint when you get your video back and it looks nothing like the demo they showed you. 
If they provide you with a demo and you like what you see, ask to see at least two complete videos of wedding they have recently filmed.
This shouldn’t be a problem, if they can’t provide you with a copy of a recent wedding; what’s going to happen if you request more copies or your wedding or your copy get lost or damage.  A professional should keep a master copy for those reason if not for any other.
As you view the video you want to make sure the images are vivid and the sound is clear.  Do you feel like you're looking at a video produced for TV or does it have that home video feel? Pay attention to see if they used different camera angles, a lot of close ups and midrange shots.  Turn your TV to a couple of shows based on weddings and love story and you'll get a better understand of the knowledge I'm trying to share with you.
As you watch the video does it flow and transition from one scene to the next smoothly or does the video look like somebody put the camera on a tripod and pressed record, pause, record, pause and then put the footage on DVD.  Did you find yourself wanting to fast forward a lot?  If the video doesn’t hold your attention that is a sign the videographer doesn’t know how to edit or it was a boring wedding.  So you may want to continue your search for a videographer.

If you like the video then your next step is to ask questions concerning customer service.  Ask how do they dress when they show up to film your wedding.  I have heard stories of vendors showing up to film wedding in flip flop and shorts: so ask before you end up being mad on your wedding day.
The next important item will be their turn around time. I have heard brides say they have been waiting for their video for 6 months.  Yeah, I agree that is too long!  You need to ask! 
And if everything sounds and looks good ask what kind of guarantee do they offer and will they put it in writing. You need some kind of protection in the event things doesn't go as planned and the person attitude changes once they got your money. Make sure you have everything in writing and signed by both parties.
You also want to know if you will be able to make copies or will the company place a copy protection on your copy.  Some companies will put a copy protection on your copy so you will have to order more copies from them.
My feelings are you hired me to film your day, so I work for you and you are free to make as many copies of as you like.
If you have followed those steps and you are happy with the demo, the agreement and the videographer has answered your questions successfully you need to book them because it sounds like you have a good videographer.             

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR YOUR VIDEOGRAPHER?

Wedding Videographers will vary in cost depending on where you live and the amount of experience they bring to the table.  As you search the internet you will find some of your high-end Videographers will charge by the hour and others will have multiple wedding packages that vary in price depending on the different features such as the amount of time required to film your event; how many cameras you desire ; how many videographers are needed; the number of locations as well as the distance of travel and amount of editing required.
Many of your low-end videographers may not charge you much compared to the mid to high-end videographers. However you have to keep in mind that you are paying for some life time memories; Sometimes it's worth it to spend a little more to get the best.

 HOW CAN I SAVE TIME ON MY WEDDING DAY?

Tip 1: Most couples waste a lot of time taking photos after the wedding ceremony. Many times this leave the guest sitting around hungry waiting at the reception hall for the wedding party to arrive. To save and manage your time prepare a list of people you want the photographer to take pictures of. Start with the largest group and work your way down.

If you are planning to take a family group photo get that out of the way first; Here's why.
1. Getting your group pictures out of the way first will keep you from searching for family members who went outside to wait for their turn to take photos. That takes up a lot of time.
2. Small Children won't be as restless and the elderly won't have to stand as long.
3. It will make it easier to clear the church since there's no need for everybody to hang around waiting to get their picture taken.

If you work your way from large groups down to the bride and groom the photographer will only have the two of you to focus on which should lead to better photos

Use a photo list that start from the largest group and eliminate people from the group. For example you would start with both sides of the family in a group photo; then the groom's family; next the bride's family; the couple with their grandparents; the couple with the bride parents, groom parents and so on.

.Another way to save time on photo is to have the photographer take photos of the males before the wedding in one setting and the females in another setting; then get the wedding party together after the wedding.

Tip 2: Another area to save time is instead of having a greeting line after the wedding ceremony the bride and groom will go to each table at the reception. When the bride and groom enters the hall they are already on the dance floor, so get the first dance out of the way. If the meal is ready go into prayer. The head table is served first so they should be the first to finish eating. This will allow time for the bride and groom to go to each table and thank the guest.

Tip 3: Do all of the traditional back to back and you won't have to worry about the photographer or videographers allotted time running out.

There are times when couples have to pay the videograper or photographer overtime because they waited to cut the cake or toss the bouquet. Get that out of the way before the guest start leaving. By doing your traditionals first the DJ has the rest of the night to get the party started right.

TIPS ON PHOTOGRAPHERS

We're living in a multimedia age and cameras are everywhere, so when you're considering a photographer to take pictures on your wedding day you must take your time and  find one that is very creative and know how to take wedding photos.

I have worked with some photographers that moves all around during the wedding ceremony getting in everybody's way and hindering others from taking good pictures because they are in the way. 

I have also worked with some photographers that stayed away and use zoom lens to get their close ups.  They knew where to position themselves to get the best image and they were a joy to work with.  When it came to posing the bride and groom for the photos after the ceremony it was a joy.  What I'm saying is a photographer does more then take photos.  They have to know how to position themselves so they are not in every picture your guest take or block the view of your guest.  They should know how to create creative poses to reflect the love that you share for one another.  The photographer should be able to go into photo shop and add vision to your images giving it that wow effect.

Find out what kind of equipment are they using and how they process their images.
Once again you may not understand everything they say but if they have the passion and creative spirit it will show and you will feel it.
Look at some of their most recent photos and see if you like the poses, angles, close ups and vivid images.
Look at images on the internet and compare them to the photographers images to get a feel of how much you think their work is worth.

I will be adding more information so continue to check back from time to time.

I hope some if not all of the information was helpful, please feel free to call me with any questions or concern.

Thanks and I look forward to serving you!

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