TYPES OF WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY FINAL PROGRAMS

The types of final programs and the terms for those differ from each wedding videographer. We surveyed one hundred wedding videographers through out the United States and came up with the following information.

These terms are used to describe a final, full length edited wedding video program:
FULL LENGTH WEDDING VIDEO, FEATURE FILM WEDDING VIDEO, LONG FORM EDIT, BASIC LONG FORM VIDEO EDIT, FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILM EDIT, ALL DAY FINAL EDITED PROGRAM, WEDDING MOVIE, DAY LONG EDIT WEDDING VIDEO MOVIE, WEDDING FILM.

These terms are used by wedding videographers to describe a short, highlight movie.
Short Form wedding video movie, highlight film, cinematic edit, director's short cut edit, highlight version, recap film, recap movie, short video movie, family and friends edit, short form edit, highlight edit, highlight film, highlights of the day movie.

SOUND IS CRITICAL TO ANY MOTION PICTURE.

WIRELESS MICROPHONES: We recently read on a videographers website that 'for realism, we do not use wireless microphones'. To put it nicely, this is complete and utter rubbish. Wireless microphones are an absolute must if you want crystal clear audio of the vows, so be sure to choose a videographer who uses them. The reason being, audio production is a huge part of video production. If the videographer doesn't think enough of the audio to use a wireless mic, chances are they are not true professionals and they are certainly not concerned with the audio portion of the program. Cutting corners is a sure sign that you are dealing with someone that is not as professional as you want them to be.

Another great way to capture sound is by using additional digital audio recording devices, or patching directly into the sound system being used for the ceremony and/or reception. Videographers do this by using additional wireless microphones and the necessary cables to connect to the sound system being used.

F.A.Q.

Presented here are the many reasons we have heard from brides who do not want a wedding video...and the reason to reconsider.

1. I can't afford it. It's simply not in my budget!

This is the most common excuse from brides who simply do not care about, nor do not want a video. If this is the case, nobody except the bride herself, can change her mind. As our budget theory states, if something is not important to you, then you place no value on it. If a bride really wants a professional video, then the budget WILL be there as importance will be placed on this most important wedding service.

2. I have family and friends who will be taking video so I don't need to hire a videographer.

Home video is great! So are still photos taken by family and friends. But for the same reasons, you wouldn't want your family and friends doing your wedding photography, is the same reason you need to hire a professional videographer who knows what it takes to make a professional movie based on good, solid video production techniques. With family and friends taking video, often what you end up with is an incomplete program, shot handheld, very shaky with absolutely no editing. This is far from what a true professional videographer will offer you.

3. I'm spending a lot on my photos on a really good photographer so I don't need a video

Photography and videography are two totally separate art forms and industries. One does not negate the other. What the photography doesn't have is the sound and the motion. Let us give you one example. You have living grandparents that are coming to your wedding. In the future, when they pass on, would you rather stare at a picture, or see them move and hear them talk on a video?

4. I will just get a cheap videographer because I am spending so much on my photography!

You have to be really careful on this one! Many brides do not fully understand the impact a low level videographer can have on your wedding and on your wedding photography. If you get a low level videographer who interferes with your photographer with their unprofessionalism, bright lights and overall intrusiveness, then you are actually hurting yourself. If you do decide on video, make sure to get a vendor that matches the overall professionalism of all your vendors including the photographer. Don't get a videographer who will shine bright lights and stick a microphone in your guests putting them on the spot.

5. We are not video people and/or we don't want to see ourselves on video and/or we don't watch alot of television.

It really comes down to seeing all of your hard work on the big screen. A good videographer will get a great mix of shots, guests and the decorations. The video will not be a 90 minute close up of just the couple. And, with the proper pre planning with your videographer you can minimize that shots you don't want. For instance, if you are only doing one camera for the ceremony, have the videographer shoot it from the audience view to get an overall feel of the ceremony. Do not shoot it in front so that all you see in your ceremony is a close up of your faces. Instruct your videographer that your goal is to see all our family and friends on the video, not just yourselves.

Ok, so those are some of the excuses we hear! Now let's talk about some reasons to do videography! But not just do it, do it right!

The video will be your eyes and ears for things you won't see! How would you like to see your processional? How about being able to see the grooms reaction as you come down the aisle? When you are off taking photographs at the reception, the video can film the cocktails and do interviews at that time and show you what you missed there. How did the reception room look before guests entered? You see, there are many things that you will not see but would like to. This is the reason for the video.

LET'S GET EXCITED ABOUT THE VIDEO!

For those couples who want to do video right, you'll want to do your research and find out who is shooting High Definition (HD) or HD's little cousin HDV. You'll want someone to do multiple cameras and offer a DVD with a customized motion menu. You may also want a long form video as well as a short form video with highlights. Slow motion sequences are also very popular. Wireless microphones are a must, as are low light HD or HDV cameras that can shoot in available light without having to bring spot-lights that spoil the mood of your reception. If necessary, a soft-diffused on camera light can be used to fill in the flesh tones at a dark wedding venue.

WEDDING VIDEO TURN AROUND TIME.

Wedding Video turn around times vary from videographer to videographer. Another factor in the duration of the turn around time is the time of year your wedding is taking place. Weddings taking place in the summer, may have a longer turn around time than a wedding taking place in a slower season.

The average wedding video turn around time we have found was/is 2 to 4 months. Videographers that spend more time editing to create a highly stylized movie, may take anywhere from 4 to 8 months. Also, it is not uncommon for some videographers to take up to a year to produce a finished movie. In many cases, the videographer may ask you for your music choices and/or images for a montage. To decrease your turn around time, make sure to give your videographer any and all of these components as a delay in your part to submit these, may increase the turn around time.

BLU RAY HD DVD DISC

Blu ray discs are the way for the wedding videographer to deliver your wedding film in 1080i or 1080p quality. Many wedding videographers today shoot in 1080i or 1080p. During or after editing, the quality is down-sized to standard definition [often referred to as SD-DVD]. In many cases, SD-DVD versions are included in the most basic packages, with Blu Ray dvd versioned often reserved for the more high end wedding video package choices. Or, as an add on to a basic package or service. If you want the absolute best quality, ensure that your wedding videographer will shoot in 1080, edit in 1080 and deliver a 1080 resolution Blu Ray dvd disc.

MASTER FILES/TAPES.

In most cases today, you can also receive a video file of your wedding video from your videographer. This is done by providing a hard drive or other high capacity media to the videographer for copying the material. In some cases, the videographer might make the full resolution files available to you. In many cases though, the videographer is making a low rez, WEB VERSION available for you, so that you can share your wedding video on FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and other social networking sites.

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EXAMPLES OF WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY:

Wedding videography can give you two things that a photograph can't, sound and motion. The below video is a perfect example of how video can capture your day and enable you to relive it with the sound, motion and EMOTION that you felt at that moment.

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FUNNY!!! WATCH THE VIDEO OF WEDDING BLOOPERS BELOW!