Learn what to look for when selecting a wedding videographer.

Usually, it is the bride and groom who remember the least about their wedding. Partly because they are in a fog of emotional excitement and so much is happening around them. Although still photos show events posed and in stages, video captures how things were. You can record guests as they sing and dance, eat, laugh, and cry. When the bride and groom sit down and watch their video, you may be amazed at all that went on during the ceremony and wedding reception that you missed as you were in the moment.

 

It's not a good idea to have a friend do the videographing, unless you have seen their work and really liked it. Use the same guidelines for finding a videographer as you would a wedding photographer. Sometimes you may find that wedding photographers also do videos or may have a partner who does professioal videos. Ask to see samples of videos they have done and look for clarity in the DVD with good lighting and coloring.  Make sure they are using modern digital equipment, ask about how they will manage lighting, microphones for good sound, and editing.

 

Also, determine with the prospective videographer, how many people will be videotaping the wedding? Will he be solo or have another assistant to help? It is often better when there are two cameras capturing different events or people simulaneously. One camera may not be able to capture all the action, unless it is a relatively small wedding. Today's techology offers many wonderful editing techniques to the videographer, so don't settle for any samples of work less than broadcast quality work.

 

Verify references, get a detailed contract on their costs and services. Do your homework! Although it may take time to do this, you can always delegate some tasks to your wedding attendants, if need be. Smaller tasks delegated to another friend or family member can free you up from the major decisions and tasks you need to do. Make sure you do oversee the task to ensure it gets done in the proper format you are desiring. Some questions you may want to ask during the interview of potential videographers are:

 

• How long have you been in business doing wedding videos?
• Request to see more than one sample of their work.
• What types of wedding packages do they offer?
• How do they charge, per hour or per package?
• What formats are the DVDs produced in? Can you get more than one format?
• What type of effects do they use?
• What is the cost for additional copies?

 

The video samples that you watch should tell a story. It should make sense and not just a bunch of video segments captured on tape. There should be some sort of order to it with the pictures and sound crisp. Remeber your wedding budget? Try to stay within that when searching for the right videographer. Once you choose a videographer, you may want to take them to your wedding ceremony location and reception locations to check lighting and various angles. This is a good idea so they can know what type of equipment, lighting and setting to have on their video cameras.

 

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