Wedding Videography: Are You Getting the Whole Picture?

Your wedding day is a precious memory you will always treasure. Still, as the years progress, your recollections of that day will no doubt fade. The happiness you felt, the nervousness, the relief, will all blur together and make it hard for you to re-create your true emotions.

By hiring a professional videographer, you can preserve the memory forever. Your children and grandchildren will love to see your wedding day, and a professional videographer can really capture the emotions of the moment.

Some brides leave the hiring of a professional videographer to the last minute, and only if they have extra money, because they don't consider it to be a detail as important as the florist or caterer. However, long after the flowers have wilted and the food been eaten, your wedding video will still be something concrete that you can look at to remember your wedding day.

It is very important that you hire a professional instead of just recruiting some relative to take the video. Think of it this way: many people know how to work 35 mm cameras, but you hire a professional to take the wedding photos because he or she is trained to account for such variables as lighting and weather, and knows how to get the best shots.

A professional videographer is no different. He or she should be familiar with the wedding ceremony, so missing parts of the ceremony will not be a problem. Professionals know how to account for lighting, and to capture the emotions and facial expressions that an amateur might miss. Also, professionals offer the choice between one camera or two, to provide the coverage that you like best.

Professional videographers offer other advantages, such as a smooth editing process, special effects, and spliced-in music and childhood photos. All of these perks combine to form a video that is of a very high quality.

When you shop around for a videographer, be sure to view sample tapes. Feel free to take notes, because the videos will begin to blur together. Pay attention to every detail. Is the camera held steady? Is the edit smooth from one sequence to the next? How well does the emotion of the day come across? Do you feel like you were actually there? Is the sound quality good -- how clear can you hear the vows? This last characteristic may vary with the church, since some do not let cameras close enough to the couple to catch the vows clearly.

Just as you did with your photographer, meet with the person who will be taking your video to discuss your ideas. You may want to include personal, private interviews from the bride and groom to each other, and this is an option you should discuss with your videographer. Also talk about exactly what you want taped, where, and when.

Ask about the package deals that they offer. If one does not appeal to your needs, see if you can create your own. Check out the price you get for the type of coverage. Standard coverage includes the ceremony and reception, but be sure to ask questions anyway.

View tapes filmed with one and two cameras to see which type of coverage you like best. The two-camera coverage is more like today's television shows, and many brides prefer the professionalism this lends to the overall product.

Also be sure to ask about the availability of back-up equipment, including lighting, in case something should break.

Ask as many questions as you can, and don't worry about sounding nosy or mistrustful. You only get one shot to do this, and you want to make sure that the person you hire is going to do the best job possible.

Try to arrange for the videographer to attend your rehearsal. This will give him or her a better chance to work with the layout of the church, and find out what restrictions are placed on where the cameras are allowed to be. If he can also film sections of the rehearsal, it will give you some "bloopers" to add to your finished product.

When you choose your videographer, be sure to get every detail in writing. Specify how long he or she will work, what the prices are, if food should be provided at the reception for him or her, and what the hourly overtime charge is. This contract is for your protection as well as the videographer's, since there are so many details to finalize that it would be easy to forget one or two.

You may want to ask about getting additional copies of the video for family and friends, since professional copies are of a much higher quality than their homemade counterparts. Find out if the video company keeps copies of each video on file in case yours gets ruined or you need another copy.

To keep your video in working order, store it at regular room temperature. Every three to four months, play the video to keep all the movable parts working (if you don't have time to watch the video, just fast forward and rewind through the tape).

Your professional wedding video will provide countless hours of entertainment for you and your husband, as well as a tribute to old memories. Those emotions you felt on your wedding day will never fade if you have a wedding video to help rekindle those old flames.