What are the do’s and don’ts of wedding video packages?

The documentation of your wedding is an important part of the day. Although photography is crucial to preserving the memories of your wedding day in still pictures, a wedding video would then give you even more by capturing the atmosphere and feeling of the day in motion. You want this wedding video to be a treasured keepsake for years to come, so it's important to get it right. Review the following list for some helpful hints.

Your wedding video can have just as many customizations and add-ons as your wedding photos. Here's what should be in ones wedding video and what shouldn't be so you can choose the right package.

Thinking about getting a videographer anyway? It's a decision you won't come to regret, so we say go for it. Photos will turn out beautifully, but visitors won't be able to see your parents' emotional first dance or hear your own vows. What's more, it's a keepsake that can be shown to future generations. Here are some suggestions for improving the quality of your wedding video.

The wedding videography industry is challenging, inspiring, and time-consuming, but the payoff is well worth the effort.

While there is plenty of room for innovation in wedding videos, there are some conventions that have come to be expected by the happy couple. Some things that were fashionable just a few or even ten years ago are now considered extremely tacky.

Because of the prevalence of wedding video packages, many professionals have honed their craft in order to capture a select few key moments.

It's not necessarily bad, but it might be a waste of creativity to ask for things that aren't in style anymore, and some married people want to get a slight bit more quirky and think outside the box. After all, the cost estimate will be based on the anticipated shots as well as styles, so adding any extras will drive the price up.

Here are some questions to ask when searching for a wedding video. Without any ado, here are some of the most crucial things you should and should not do when choosing a wedding videographer.

If you want your wedding to be the Top Wedding Video of the year, check out our ultimate list of wedding videographers to help you get the polished product. 

Don't Include A Photomontage.

Don't get us wrong; we love looking at pictures of newborns and newlyweds. There is no need to have clips of the bride and groom at the beginning and end of the wedding video. If your wedding photographer is offering a photo collage of your childhood, save it for the rehearsal dinner. Don't waste five of the twenty minutes your guests have given you by showing them a slideshow of you and your spouse's lives together, from infancy to awkward adolescence to newlywed bliss.

Launch right into the meat of the story. Let's say you're planning on hiring a videographer to record the entirety of your wedding. If that's the case, you'll have a lot of footage that needs to be edited down, so have your videographer focus on creating a polished final product that you can enjoy watching again and again.

Do Include: A Digital File

Although DVDs are still widely used, most videographers also provide digital content files in High Definition (HD) on thumb drives. You can easily upload and share your wedding video with far-flung loved ones when you use a thumb drive, and you can even stream it to your TV using Apple TV or even a similar device.

This is the best method for preserving your personal information on electronic devices. If you want to watch the movies in great quality on your larger screens, we also suggest picking up a blu-ray.

Do Include: The Preparations and Ceremony

You should film the entire event, from the beginning of the planning stages to the moment you say your goodbyes, capturing any and all meaningful words, tears, or laughter that may have been exchanged. In order to get more coverage of the reception, ensure your videographer doesn't cut corners on the ceremony or pre-ceremony footage. Spending money on a second shooter is warranted in this case due to the ceremony. Plan ahead so that your videographer can record your visitors entering before the ceremony begins; it's one of those things you'll forget about but will enjoy seeing again later.

To be honest, you won't remember much of the ceremony anyway because you'll be too caught up in the moment to take notes. Why not have a copy to watch when you're not in the moment to remember and relive the most special day out of your life!

Don't Include Guest Interviews.

Video messages from guests usually contain the same platitudes. When you have the floor at a party, how often do you say something more than, "Congratulations, you look beautiful, and good luck?" In addition, it can be annoying for the guest who is asked to speak about the happy couple while everyone else at the table looks on while she is in the middle of her salad. Though it may be amusing to see Aunt's face fall when it's her turn to speak, the personal messages captured by your videographer are what will really stick with you in the years to come, and your videographer may not be able to coax many of your guests into speaking candidly if they feel pressured to do so.

Consider using a video guest book if you want to collect comments from attendees and use them as voice-overs in your videotaped interviews or statements. Instead of taking pictures in a photo booth, your guests can leave short videos in a video guest book. In order to prevent everyone from simply saying "Congratulations!" over and over, you can have a jar of questions ready for guests to choose from.

Do Include: Same Day Edit

A no-brainer, if you will. Having all of your loved ones in one place at once is sure to result in unforgettable memories, and watching the event unfold on film is an experience like no other. Many of the small details that you wouldn't otherwise see can be captured by a skilled videographer. The day will fly by and you'll forget the little details that made it so memorable, so it's a wonderful experience to look back on the footage and reflect on this momentous occasion.

Don't Include Raw Footage.

Some videographers will send you the uncut, unedited footage of your wedding to review after filming is complete, giving you the opportunity to make notes about which parts of the video you want to keep and which you want to cut (perhaps the part where the groom's voice falters while reciting his vows). Your videographer may include the raw footage in your package if you're interested in preserving it for the ages. Since you might never even use the raw footage, it's not worth paying extra for it if it isn't included in your package. No one in your family or social circle is going to sit through five hours of raw footage if you can't do it. Make two videos instead—a highlights reel and a same-day edit.

There's probably over a dozen hours of raw footage, some of which is probably unusable because of poor lighting or other issues. You probably don't want to sift through this. In addition, the high quality of the video capture means that the file sizes can easily be 120 GB or more, making them cumbersome to both upload and download. Allow us to sift through hours of footage and present you with only the best. We will record the moments you cherish and deliver them to you in a format you'll enjoy viewing. You can usually expect to have 40-60 minutes of high-quality video to enjoy between the highlight film, ceremony, and speeches.

Do Include: Aerial Shots

This is typically assumed by the videographer. In addition, this may quickly become essential when you're in certain settings (garden, beach, outdoors). The videographer is free to use their artistic skills, and the result is a more stunning wedding video.

Do Include: The Reception

These instances are susceptible to obscurity alongside the rest of your hectic day. It's rewarding to see everyone having a good time after putting in so much effort into a successful event, both for you and the guests. Everything from the first dance to the cutting of the cake, speeches, and more are recorded for you to watch again and again.

Do Include: A Highlight Reel

With this option, you can share the day's highlights with loved ones in a convenient format. They get an exclusive look at the pre-show rituals and first impressions. Sharing video clips of the day's highlights and demonstrating your affection for one another is a great way to end the day with them.

Do Include: A Second Shooter

Because of this, getting professional-grade video and unique angles is much less of a hassle. A single gunman cannot be in two places at once. We have two cameramen so that you can get shots of the happy couple from different perspectives and cut back and forth to keep the film moving. Two shooters are already included in every one of our packages, so you won't have to pay anything extra for that.

Let us help you choose the perfect videographer to help create a Top Wedding Video of your special day.

First important highlight

Do:

Everything from the beginning of the ceremony and the procession to the end of the celebration at the reception must be recorded. You can avoid a one-dimensional film by having the videographer record the happy tears of your parents, the silliness of your little sister, or a hilarious backstage moment. The best videos will transport their viewers through a range of feelings.

Don't:

Although you and your spouse will naturally be the focus of the video, you shouldn't make it exclusively about the two of you. To that end, a photo montage of your childhood or wedding preparations is unnecessary. You could, instead, use a slideshow of your childhood photos to share memories with guests at the reception. Collections of childhood photos will shorten your wedding video, and you'll miss out on some of the big moments.

Break down your footage

Do:

Have the videographer of your wedding divide the coverage of the wedding into chapters for you. Rather than skipping through several scenes, you can enjoy a smoother and more straightforward viewing experience. Requesting to have the wedding vow, the speech, and the entertainment placed under separate headings on the menu would be ideal. In addition, have them create a trailer of the wedding video lasting between 5 and 10 minutes to serve as a highlight reel.

Don't:

If you want more time to show your video, you should ask for it. Package video costs typically incorporate the method of breakdown. In any case, you and your videographer should talk about how long the video will be before the big day. To avoid boring your guests (and yourself) to tears, keep your wedding video to a reasonable length. There should not be an excessive amount of footage from interviews with guests because they will likely all say the same thing.

Choosing a wedding videographer

Do:

Don't just look at their portfolio and pricing structure when deciding on a wedding videographer; evaluate the colour palette, audio, and final cut as well. Look around until you find a videographer who meets all your needs. It's fine to splurge on a second shooter if your budget allows for it, as this will help you get the most out of your shooting time.

Don't:

Asking for a single video clip as a sample is inappropriate. In order to find the best videographer for your needs, it is recommended that you view their previous work. You may be on a tight budget, but hiring an inexperienced videographer could be a huge mistake. It's possible that you'll get an undesirable outcome and come to deeply regret your decision after the fact.

What to tell your videographer

Do:

Write out and explain to your videographer your wedding's overall theme and vision, as well as the day-of schedule in great detail (including any surprises you may have planned).

Don't:

The day you marry the love of your life will likely be the most memorable of your entire life, but please keep in mind the limitations your videographer may point out. Don't let your pride get in the way of getting professional advice about your wedding video.

Many newlyweds wish they could relive their big day in its entirety. Documenting on film a pivotal moment in their lives. Worrying that your wedding video won't live up to your dreams on such a special day is the last thing you want.

If a couple asks our opinion and they are on the fence about having their wedding filmed, and they have the means to do so, we always recommend that they hire a professional wedding videographer. The big day flies by in the blink of an eye, and you won't want to look back and wish you had recorded your ceremony, first kiss, and first dance as a married couple.

Moving with the times

Unforgettable Memories, a Cheshire-based company that has won multiple awards for its wedding videos, understands better than anyone the significance of filming your special day.

Some videographers have a bad rep, but that's only because they haven't updated their skills to keep up with the industry. Even though they seem stuck in the era of the big, shoulder-mounted camera that they point at subjects and demand a "performance" from, this is no longer the only way to make a video.

Don't make the mistake depicted in The Wedding Video and have an untrained relative or guest shoot your wedding video. Keep in mind that they are guests at your wedding and may be preoccupied with other things besides taking pictures.

Check out our post on WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS

Top tips for choosing your wedding videographer

• Think about what specific moments of the wedding you want to record.
• Think about whether you want a more traditional, static video or a more documentary, fly-on-the-wall feel before making a final decision on a wedding videographer.
• Get together with your wedding videographer early on to talk about your plans.
• Similarly, you should book a videographer for your wedding as early as possible.
• You should know exactly what your 'package' entails and what, if any, extras you'll need to purchase in order to complete your film.

This is extremely important at the ritual, as it allows them to record your accomplice's expression as you both make your way to the altar. Your dad's toast at the reception can be filmed in its entirety, including your uncle's uncontrollable belly laughter. If you can't afford a second cameraman for your best Wedding videographer Melbourne, at the very least think about having two cameras ready: one that will be manned and will move around the room, and another that will be stationary. Your videographer may be able to get a wide shot of the ceremony and close-ups of the procession this way.

Conclusion

An integral part of your wedding day is having it documented. As with wedding photographs, a wedding video can be personalised and enhanced in a variety of ways. So that you can pick the right package, we've laid out the essentials and the extras that your wedding video must have. The wedding video does not require opening and closing sequences featuring the bride and groom. The vast majority of videographers now offer HD digital files on flash drives.

Use a thumb drive to easily upload and share your wedding video with far-flung family and friends. Same Day should be included. The memories you make with your loved ones when they are all in one place at the same time will last a lifetime. Your guests can skip the photo booth and leave short videos in a video guest book. A competent videographer will be able to capture many subtleties that you would miss otherwise.

After the ceremony is over, some videographers will send the uncut footage to the couple for review. Create a highlight reel and a same-day cut instead of just one. Between the highlight reel, the actual ceremony, and any speeches, you can usually count on 40-60 minutes of high-quality video. To get shots of the happy couple from different angles and to cut back and forth to keep the film moving, we have two cameramen. Every one of our plans comes standard with two shooters, so that's not something you'll have to pay extra for.

Many recent couples long for the chance to experience their wedding all over again. Making a movie about a significant time in their lives. Instead of just looking at their past work, you should analyse the aesthetics (including the colour scheme, soundtrack, and overall quality of the product). Do some research and find a videographer who can fulfil all of your requirements. Get a wedding videographer booked as soon as you can.

Think about whether you want a more static video or a more documentary style. Hire the best videographer in Melbourne, and if you can't afford a second cameraman, at least consider having a backup camera handy.

Content Summary

• Here are some suggestions for improving the quality of your wedding video.
• Let's say you're planning on hiring a videographer to record the entirety of your wedding.
• In order to get more coverage of the reception, ensure your videographer doesn't cut corners on the ceremony or pre-ceremony footage.
• Video messages from guests usually contain the same platitudes.
• Consider using a video guest book if you want to collect comments from attendees and use them as voice-overs in your videotaped interviews or statements.
• Instead of taking pictures in a photo booth, your guests can leave short videos in a video guest book.
• over and over, you can have a jar of questions ready for guests to choose from.
• Your videographer may include the raw footage in your package if you're interested in preserving it for the ages.
• Make two videos instead—a highlights reel and a same-day edit.
• Break down your footage Do:Have the videographer of your wedding divide the coverage of the wedding into chapters for you.
• Look around until you find a videographer who meets all your needs.
• Don't let your pride get in the way of getting professional advice about your wedding video.
• Get together with your wedding videographer early on to talk about your plans.
• Similarly, you should book a videographer for your wedding as early as possible.