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Monday, December 15, 2008

Videographer: YAY or NAY?

I am totally torn on a videographer. I just can't decide. I have really thought a lot about this and have made the following list of pros and cons.

PROS:

  • documenting the speeches, party, and emotions of everyone there
  • my kids one day, being able to see this
  • capturing the gasps at my dress. (kidding...kind of)

CONS:

  • Bright lights in every one's face
  • spending $2000.00 on videos, when you are already paying for pictures
  • possible cheesiness alert on the editing

What do you think about videographers? Do you think asking people who make speeches, to write them on nice paper is enough? Will I regret not having one?

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12 Comments:

Blogger AmyJean {Relentless BrideĀ®} said...

OMG. I did a similar post about this dilemma recently... basically, should get one and if so how do i choose one! RelentlesBride Videographer posts

We have decided we are going to get one and probably do a more cinematic edit, but will retain all the raw footage as well.

Monday, December 15, 2008 3:24:00 PM  
Blogger starfish said...

We decided to get one. We really weren't into it, but one of my bridesmaids made a great point. You pay a lot for photos, but at your wedding every guest takes phots. You only have one videographe. You wont have lots of other people capturing the action, just stills. We then decided to spend more on video than photos, when we originally didn't even want video. I'm really happy we changed our minds.

Monday, December 15, 2008 4:29:00 PM  
Blogger Ashley said...

I am having the same problem. I can't decide.

Monday, December 15, 2008 4:37:00 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

Get a videographer. I just got married a month ago and wouldn't have thought anything else. Plus the decent videographers nowadays won't need the glaring lights or the 1980s-style cheesy editing. They are also very discreet - you forget they are even there.(We used Blue Sky Films - I highly recommend them for all of the above)

Monday, December 15, 2008 8:27:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Get one! It's hands down the biggest regret I hear from brides who decline it. For sure go to my blog and hit the video label - I have at least 3 posts about why you should get video. When you decide yes, interview a couple pros and ask to see full videos. It's all about the editing!

Monday, December 15, 2008 9:31:00 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

This is probably one of the biggest things that brides give up. I almost did because it just wasn't in the budget, but a family member stepped in to help us pay for it and I'm really grateful they did. At the time I wasn't that concerned, but I honestly think it's one of those things you will appreciate much more 30 years down the line.

Monday, December 15, 2008 11:27:00 PM  
Blogger Annie said...

We've decided to do something a little bit different than pay for a videographer. We are going to save some money and purchase a nice video camera (so that will be be like what--$500?) and we're asking an "artsy" friend to take some videos for us during the ceremony and reception. We think he'll find the favor to be a compliment and not an insulment like we're making him miss out on our wedding by video taping it all. That way we can cut out all the cheesiness but still get some funny videos on things that we'll miss out on.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would definitely hire a videographer. They can not only capture the images, but the sounds from your wedding. . . the music, the words, the voices of your friends & family. This is something that you'll be sharing with your children, grandchildren or other relatives years down the line. A good videographer can really blend in without being obtrusive. Ask to see samples of the work. Try to get someone who does video in HD since you're looking at something you'll enjoy for years to come.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Any professional will ask you questions about your style, what you want, and what you don't want - whether its photography or videography. Photographers use flash and videograhers use lights - most of them today are dimmable and don't need to be in your face!

A professional is trained and experienced and knows when to stay back and when to get the shot needed while blending in. A professional can work with you to meet your goals while blending in with the rest of your day. Part of what you pay for is that very experience even though its not tangible until the day of your wedding! Anyone can take pictures or video but professionals are specialists in weddings and know how to blend in discreetly while not making a media circus at your wedding.

As Kelly mentioned - ask to a see a complete finished sample and then ask for references. If at all possible meet your potential videographer too! Gauging their style, appearance, and presentation during that appointment will go a long way in helping you decide what to do! Videographers can be just as creative and important as a photographer and may put in as much work or more than you expect. The reverse is also true which is why I strongly recommend getting a sample of a finished product. Any scam artist can pretend to be a professional and may find ways to disguise what they do (or don't do) - the most noticable method now is to give tons of coverage hours at the wedding but not work at all on your finsihed product. Once the wedding is over, they got you! This is not to scare you but to provide solid consumer advice - shop around and take your time learning about your vendor if you can!

When you meet with them, you learn more about what they do to make your video special and only then can you determine whether or not the price is worth the cost.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:58:00 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

I randomly came across your blog... but wanted to give my opinion. :)

I got married 3 1/2 years ago and b/c of money decided to not hire a videographer. I am so bummed now b/c I SO WISH I HAD!! We had an amazing photographer, but it's still not the same. It is the one thing I would go back and change... less on food, less on flowers and GO FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER. It's so worth it.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 1:41:00 PM  
Blogger Karen :) said...

Anything I've done seen by a videographer is so cheesy and overdone. In pictures, yes, I demand total professionalism! But in videos, I really don't want to see myself in slow motion with cheesy background music, that just makes me laugh. The wedding videos I like best are the unedited, straight-how-it-was home videos. So my boyfriend and I have decided, rather than hiring a videographer, we'll be purchasing our own camcorder (which we would want to get anyways) and already have a friend who says he'd record everything for $50. Then we get the simple, fun home video we want, could edit it ourselves if we really wanted AND the camera is something we'll use for years with our family.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:41:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To be totally honest I think if you don't have one you probably won't miss it. That being said, ours ended up being my favorite vendor

For me personally it wasn't worth it if it was with someone's work I really admired. I didn't want to spend a thousands of dollars on something cheesy.

I still think the only people doing truly creative work in our area is Monachetti. I love our video and wouldn't have done it if it weren't with them

http://www.dcnearlyweds.com/2008/07/miss-capitol-hill-wedding-recap-video.html

Saturday, December 20, 2008 8:28:00 AM  

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