Many bridal couples and their families have questions
and concerns about how the wedding will be filmed. Below
are some of the questions I'm most often asked, along with
information that may be helpful to you when considering
video services for your wedding.
Why can't I view the samples on your Web site?
The samples are in QuickTime and Windows Media Player formats, which means you need either QuickTime or Windows Media Player installed on your computer to play them. You can also request to have a sample DVD mailed to you for free. Visit the Contact page to send us a request.
Some of the samples have music playing during the vows. Will there be background music during our vows?
The samples are Highlights montages that use music for dramatic effect. The main video will not have any additional music during your vows.Will the video equipment be distracting during the ceremony?
Because portable video equipment is compact and silent, the most important consideration here is whether or not the videographer has the skill to avoid intruding on the ceremony. I feel strongly that both the ceremony and reception should be filmed in as unobtrusive a manner as possible. In fact, most couples comment that they hardly even knew I was there.Most people are concerned about the use of flood lamps during the wedding service, and I agree that use of such lighting is not appropriate during the ceremony. Dimly lit areas may result in video quality that is less than ideal. My cameras do well in most churches and synagogues; however, under such circumstances, you can expect that the colors on your video will not be as vivid as those you see on broadcast TV. There will also be some loss of picture sharpness. If you have any concerns about the lighting in your church or synagogue, we can discuss possible solutions to give you the quality you desire. I do use a small, on-camera light when necessary for dimly lit reception venues.
We want to be sure that our vows can be heard on the video. Will this be possible if the camera is placed away from the altar?
If the ceremony were to be recorded using the camera's built-in microphone, your vows would most likely be inaudible. These microphones lose clarity at distances beyond 7–10 feet. I utilize a wireless audio recorder, generally worn by the groom, to provide excellent clarity.You offer an edited video. Why would we need editing, since we want to see all the scenes that were recorded?
An edited wedding video involves the following:• The addition of titles, music, special effects, etc.
• The elimination of "glitches" which would detract from the video. For example, I must sometimes leave the camera running while rushing to capture a spontaneous scene at the reception; this footage is edited out.
• The creative use of editing to give the video better pacing. Lengthy scenes with little activity can be reduced down to the essence of the scene.
A well-edited video looks far more polished (think “TV show”) and thus will be more enjoyable to watch; unedited videos always have an amateurish quality (think “home video”).