Tips for a GREAT Wedding Video

Tips For Producing a Unique Wedding Video

Creating a wedding video that is unique to you and your new spouse is not always something a bride and groom thinks about when hiring a wedding videographer. After all your wedding day is all about you and the wedding video or DVD should reflect your personal tastes as well.

Videos can be as simple as letting the camera roll on your wedding day or can be as detailed as a television documentary. When looking for just the right videographer, couples want someone who can capture that special day with crystal clear video and sound but have no idea what other options are available. Know that you can customize your video anyway you like depending on the videographer and your budget.

First when looking for a videographer, check to see if the videographer belongs to a professional organization, such as the Wedding and Events Videographers Association (WEVA.com). Also find out how long the video company has been in business. You don't want a novice shooting your video since there is only one chance to get it right. When requesting demos from prospective videographers, don't just settle for viewing a demo reel, ask to see several different weddings. Also ask the videographer if he has shot at your wedding location before and then request to see video from that specific location. When viewing the demo reel ask yourself if they all look the same, like a cookie cutter presentation or are the videos unique.

When meeting with videographers be prepared and know what you want ahead of time. Bring notes and take notes. Make sure everything you request is included on a written contract.

With the advances in today's technology the sky is the limit on wedding video options. You can request whatever your heart desires. The possibility of your special requests all depends on your budget but here are a few options that can add that special touch to your video.

Real Film - Many videographers are offering real 8mm film as an option or add-on. It is usually just two-to-four rolls of film edited into the actual video to give a retro flavor that will awe you and your family. Don't settle for a "film-effect" that is created on a computer, it just isn't the same.

Engagement Music Video - This can be done ahead of time and presented at the reception on big screen projector. Hire your videographer to attend your engagement photo session where he can get behind-the-scenes video that can later be combined with the engagement photographs. When set to music this can be a wonderful piece to showcase on your wedding day.

The Love Story - This option has exploded in popularity. The Love Story is an interview with the bride-to-be and her fiancé, which tells the story of how they met and how they arrived at this point. Some of the video can be shot at the spot where he proposed, at the couples home or favorite spot. The Love Story is probably the most emotion-packed segment, next to the ceremony video of your vows. This feature can also be completed ahead of time and presented on a big screen presentation at the reception.

Photo Montage - Photo Montages have always been popular and can easily achieve that personal touch without blowing your wedding budget. A photo montage is another great way to tell the story of how you met or you can go as far back as to your childhood photos. It's all a story of how you arrived at this day and it is a way to bring new life to those photographs stored in the back of your closet. The photo montage can also be shown at your reception.

Streaming Video - Many couples personalize their wedding by creating a wedding website to keep family members in-the-know about changes in upcoming wedding plans. Streaming videos can be used to create exciting engagement announcements for your wedding website. This would be a good way to introduce your wedding theme as a movie trailer to increase the anticipation leading up to your wedding.

Once you hire a videographer to shoot your wedding, there are things that you can do to help the videographer create your perfect wedding video:

* Give your videographer a copy of the invitation, program with the names of the bridal party and anyone who will speak at the ceremony, a list of your favorite songs or the DJ play list from the reception, and a list of anyone who must be in your video, such as your great-grandmother or a relative who has traveled a great distance to come to your wedding.
* Speak to your bridal party at the wedding rehearsal about their placement during the ceremony. Ask them to be aware of the videographer and to be careful not to block the camera at the ceremony.
* Let the videographer know ahead of time if there will be any special performances or live entertainment such as Flamenco dancers.
* Require the videographer to attend the wedding rehearsal. Most experienced videographers will include this service in their price list.

With a little creativity and preparation, your wedding video can be as unique as you are. Your videographer can work with you to give your video that personal touch that will reflect who you are as a couple and be watched for many years to come.