Hire a Professional

Photo Credit: Anna Pumer

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million. With a professional videographer by your side, you can relive the sights and sounds of your wedding day for years to come. These memories in motion are priceless, and it’s worthwhile to have it done right.

PROFESSIONALS & ARTISTS

Professional videographers have dramatically improved the quality of wedding videos in recent years. They have the technology, talent, and time necessary to produce videos with excellent quality, clear audio, crisp visuals, and sharp editing. A good videographer is an artist who will remain inconspicuous throughout the day, yet find a way to capture intimate, uninhibited moments of you and your guests.

These days, creativity knows no bounds. The art of videography has experienced a sort of revolution in recent years, with professionals dedicating their time and talents strictly to video. Today’s filmmakers use the latest technology and storytelling techniques to create stunning and highly-personalized wedding films. Choose a videographer with a style that speaks to you, whether it’s classic and even-paced, quick and contemporary, or even a little edgy.

DRONE ON

There are all kinds of tools available to videographers that offer Hollywood-style special effects, but drones certainly offer some of the most exciting opportunities to get creative. They can offer a sweeping, cinematic mood and breathtaking aerial views. While drone technology can be thrilling, it’s not without its boundaries. Make sure your videographer is licensed for drone flight. A drone pilot’s license is required by the FAA. If your videographer has a drone, make sure they’re aware of the rules before you hire them!

SPECIALS & SERVICES

In addition to the final wedding video, some videographers offer same-day services such as rush editing of wedding day highlights or photo and video montages to show at your reception. Projectors for these shows are recommended and may also be available through your videographer. These upgradeable video services are especially fun and could add an extra-special touch to your celebration.

If you’re a high-tech couple, put your videographer to work before the wedding. Work together to create a video save-thedate for the folks on your guest list. You can save money by uploading this video to your wedding website, then sending friends and family an online invitation to view it. Video invites are modern, fun, personal, and, if worked in to your videography package, a potential money-saver.

CHOOSING A VIDEOGRAPHER

When researching professional videographers in your area, scope out their websites and social media accounts to get a taste of their style. If you can only find a short sample, ask the videographer if you can see a full-length version. This is critical, since short snippets shown on a videographer’s website tend to be more of a highlight reel. Have you ever seen a terrible movie that had an awesome trailer? It’s just like that. What really matters is the finished product, so make sure to base your decision on a final video rather than a teaser.

Pay close attention to make sure the film meets your expectations in terms of video detail and quality. Things to consider when viewing a sample video include the clarity and stability of the picture, as well as the videographer’s ability to smoothly edit and transition the material. Other things to keep in mind: audio, color, and emotional connections. Let’s break it down with a video evaluation checklist.

VIDEOGRAPHY BUDGET

Quality videography services can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000. While that sounds like quite a sum, remember that your videographer will spend six to ten hours editing each hour of film. If they’re filming during the entire wedding day on multiple cameras, do the math. Why does it take so long? The process includes color matching, audio syncing, setting music, syncing footage from multiple angles, editing periods of silence, and adding transitions. Taking into account all of the professional equipment, experience, and time spent, it’s not surprising that the fee coincides with what you’d pay a photographer. When you finally choose your videographer, be sure to ask to see a copy of the contract and make sure you understand all of the ins and outs of specific costs.

BUDGET TIP

If your budget doesn’t allow for much now, it’s still worthwhile to invest in a quality videographer’s bare-bones package. You can always upgrade your package later, but securing great videography talent for your wedding date and time is a crucial first step.

MEMORIES IN MOTION

We all know the one big reason to invest in a wedding day video: You’ll have it forever to enjoy as a couple. So too will any guests who couldn’t make it to the celebration; having a video to share with family and friends who weren’t present on your wedding day will be a wonderful treat. And should there be kids in your future, think what a kick they’ll get out of watching your video. A once-in-a-lifetime day deserves the once-in-a-lifetime movie treatment — everything from vows and venues to drone footage and dance moves preserved forever.