Home Choosing a Videographer
How to Choose Wedding Videographer

 

This might sound simple but it is very crucial that you actually want to have wedding video!

Producing a great wedding DVD is more than just grabbing a good 3CCD camera and pointing it at the Bride. It takes lots of preparation and communication which means you have to spare your time to talk over your ideas with your Videographer.

There are also things that people often don’t think about, such as:

  • You will need to provide music;
  • You need to provide photos;
  • Most videographers allow you to have a preview of the wedding video, so you can check through carefully looking for mistakes, so allow for this in your post-honeymoon plans.

 

First step in finding a wedding videographer

Check the website to find out who they are, packages they offer, any sample video, etc. Most packages can be tailored to suit your needs so don’t worry if you don’t find the exactly match to what you are after. Then get a sample of their previous work. If possible the complete one so you know what you will finish up with.

Be very specific as to what you are after because naturally you will feel more comfortable having someone who understands the nature of your wedding.

Sometimes a wedding provider could be left wondering why you didn’t come back to them at all after watching their sample. More than likely is because you can’t see yourself in the sample provided. So help us to serve you better, please be specific as to what you are after. For example
  • Australian wedding on the boat or in the garden
  • Mixed culture
  • Traditional Chinese wedding with tradition like tea ceremony
  • Traditional Indian wedding that run for 7 days
If the supplier does not offer a particular nationality it doesn’t mean they cannot do it. Remember  Australia is the most multicultural nation in the world. This is where having a professional video producer is important. Your wedding is unique and it takes more than a relative with an expensive camera to film it properly - I’ll come back to this later.

2nd Step: What to look for in a sample DVD

 1. Quality. The first impression is important - do you like the look of the cover and label design? Did you receive an old worn out looking DVD or fresh new one? Do you like the menu design? .Are the photos blurry because it was taken from the video or sharp and clear because they have used the Photographer's portraits.

Still pictures taken from a video camera (even a HDV camera) are only 72dpi, which is only good for the web. The recommended image quality for printing is 300dpi, which must come form a proper still camera.

2.  Style. Is the videographers style Classic and Romantic, cheesy, MTV style… you have to know exactly what you like. The sample in your hand is a sample of your videographer’s best shooting and editing style.  If you don’t like what you see, it’s better to find another videographer that will shoot the video you want.

3.  Sound. Try to ask for a sample DVD that is similar to the setting for your own wedding. Is your wedding in an old church, modern church, by the water, in the garden or on a boat? Listen how the sound was recorded, are they clear or do you have to ask everyone in the room to be quiet so you can have a better idea what was being said. There is nothing more disappointing than having paid good money for a wedding video and in the end you can’t hear your important vows and speeches clearly.

3rd Step: Meeting your Videographer and plan your filming

You’ve checked their website and you like what you see. You’ve watched their sample DVD and you like it. Now you are ready to move to next step; meeting your videographer.

Communication Matters.  It takes you and your videographer working together to produce a good quality wedding video that will be cherished in the years to come. Try to meet the people who will video you because he or she will be with you all through your most important day. You would want to be comfortable with them! In this process its actually important to trust your instincts! Can you communicate with them, will he or she listen to you or do they just talk at you?

Planning matters. Now is the time to review the package and make sure everyone is clear on what is being agreed upon.  It is crucial to communicate what you really want and what is important to your videographer. Don’t just say “it’s the same church ceremony like others”. Well… for sure, there no wedding that is exactly the same because you are unique.

Remember: in weddings there is no such thing as “Vow from the Bride, Take 2, ACTION!” it happens only once and normally very fast so knowing what is about to happen is crucial.

Other important things to tell your videographer, just to get you thinking about your own wedding:

  • How much exposure do you want your family to receive?
  • Do you want the videographer to take charge and organize the proceedings to get the best shots, or do you want a video that is not invasive?
  • Do you want the videographer to move up to the altar (please check with your Priest, they often have rules we should know about)?
  • Will you be releasing doves or something similar at the end of the ceremony?
  •  Will there be traditional dancing or “happenings”?
  • Do you have a time frame we should know about – such as needing a 10min version to take overseas 2 weeks after the wedding

Preparation matters. Remember a videographer always need time to move the camera and tripod – it  takes time to frame and focus properly. They need a clear run sheet  explaining what is going to happen, such as:

  • Where the bridal party will stand
  • Where the bride and groom will be seated
  • Any lighting of the candle
  • Where the reading will be
  • How many readings
  • Any traditional ceremony elements
  • Any restriction from the pastor
  • Are your guests seated of will some be standing
  • Allow enough time for the Videographer to get into place!!! If you are running late at home, and then "floor it" to get to the Church on time, remember the videographer has to follow you to the Church and set up before you enter. Allow enough travelling time or you may not have everything captured on your video.
Call it over preparation… but why not invite your videographer to come into your rehearsal, I know we dont charge for this because it makes our job so much easier to know what is going to happen on the day!

Thanks for reading! If you follow these simple steps your wedding video will be everything you wanted it to be.

Sylvi Soe