Memories in Motion

Any newly married couple can attest the wedding day goes by way too fast. No matter how much you try to cherish each moment, from the vows to the first dance, remembering everything exactly as it happened is difficult.

Hiring a videographer is the perfect way to relive that special day and preserve it for generations to come. Videography also offers priceless moving images and voices of loved ones who might not be around years from now.

Before booking a videographer though, there are a few important details to keep in mind.

Know your personal style Are you a fan of documentaries or more the Hollywood love story type? Today, most videographers specialize in wedding videos that not only cater to individual tastes, but also transform couples into celebrities starring in their very own blockbusters.

The latest options include tight-knit stories featuring pre-wedding interviews with the couple discussing how they met. Coverage can even start at the rehearsal dinner to capture special toasts. Some prefer to have coverage start the morning of the wedding while the bridal party is getting ready.

Another trend is the cinematic style, which includes slow wide zooms, pans and close-ups to create a well-polished movie worthy of the silver screen.

Multiple camera shoots are in style and provide more of a movie-like effect rather than one single, continuous camera angle. The newest advanced digital recording capabilities capture quality images in the dimmest of settings and no longer require obstructive bright lights. But whether your dream video mirrors an independent film or a music video, gone are the days of hours of footage. Experts say most contemporary wedding videos are no more than 45 to 90 minutes in length. This is likely to be good news to friends, family and any future children who watch the video.

 

From Blu-ray and high-def to the WebIn the midst of all the recent trends and cutting edge technology, one thing is certain—these aren't your parents' wedding videos. Today's couples are tech savvy, sometimes requesting that their videographers shoot in high-definition (HD) and put their events onto Blu-ray discs. But although HD offers superior picture quality and looks fabulous on a big screen TV, getting everyone together for a showing can be tough.

What if the entire guest list and relatives who were unable to attend the event could watch the video from anywhere in the world? Online video provides such capabilities.

Some videographers will post wedding videos directly onto their websites. Videos can be uploaded through special video sharing websites such as Sharingourjoy.com, Viddia.com or Stashspace.com. A major benefit of online video is friends and relatives can post comments and well wishes for the couple while viewing the video.

To ensure a couple's privacy, videos posted on these sites are password protected and accessible only to family and friends. Videography experts warn against posting wedding videos onto public sites such as YouTube. Not only can comments from strangers be cruel or inappropriate, the quality of the videos tends to be poorer. Also, most newlyweds probably don't want to chance the possibility of their wedding video going viral.

 

Choose the right person for the jobUncle Bob or Cousin Suzie might love to show off their camcorder skills at family functions. But this is your wedding video. Documenting one of the most important days in your life requires the help of a professional. Before hiring a videographer, make sure he or she belongs to a professional videographer organization. These include the Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) or the Illinois Videographers Association. Members of such groups network with other industry professionals to stay on top of the latest trends and information on their trade. They also can ensure backup should anything go wrong on the big day, such as a vehicle breakdown, illness or equipment malfunction.

Couples should view full samples of work, not just clips. Although videographers can share work over the Internet, it's best to meet them in person. Remember, you'll be spending the day with them!

 

Cost vs. QualityWhen it comes to figuring video into the wedding budget, the good news is that digital technology is starting to make the service more affordable. Because many videographers shoot in HD, they work exclusively with digital tools allowing for faster editing, production and delivery. This is cheaper than the old days of spending time cutting film.

Videography prices start at about $1,000. A professionally edited video shot with multiple camera angles starts at about $2,000. Often included in that price are copies of the DVD, as well as online sharing of the video. A top of the line, Hollywood-style video can cost as much as $5,000.

As for trying to cut corners on the wedding video, experts say it's a definite "don't." Volunteering to edit the video yourself might save a few dollars, but it isn't worth sorting through all that footage. Unedited videos contain every "ah," "um" and mundane shot, sometimes taking up five or more DVDs.