We are getting married in Raleigh, NC in May 2009. My parents are paying for the wedding and have given us what we consider a generous budget. They are allotting $1500 for a videographer. I've watched sample videos for AT LEAST 15 different videographers- within our budget and more expensive- and I hate them all. I don't think the issue is that there aren't good videographers in the area, just that I hate wedding videos. They are all so cheesy. I'd just as soon have someone in my family carry around a digital camera and get the video that way- no corny music, no weird cinematography, just a straight up video of our day. I definitely don't want a 5 minute video of us kissing set to "wind beneath my wings."
I guess my question is- when we're older, will we wish we had a professional video made?
i would say, get a videographer. But it depends on you and your husband-to-be. I've talked to a lot of people who say that ya, pictures are great.. but sometimes you wish you could HEAR or SEE it happening again.
I'm with you on the corny videos... and we decided to spring a little more for a cinematography videographer. They are so cool and they videos aren't corny. if you can do it, i would go for that... but maybe, you can just hire a videographer to shoot the whole thing and give you a raw copy -- it's expensive because of the editing they do -- and ince you don't like it, don't pay for it. It will be like having a family member do it, except better.
I got a videographer because I wanted someone with experience filming my wedding. No worries about a family member getting a little tipsy and missing some key moment, less likelyhood of issues with sound or bad lighting, plus multiple cameras so I can see different things going on at the same time (ie us making our vows, cut with audience reactions). Also, I didn't want to saddle any of our guests with the job.
I agree that there's a lot of cheese in wedding videography, so one thing we made sure to ask for was raw footage - that way if the cut footage was too sappy, we could always watch the raw footage or re-cut our own version. Some videographers will offer you a deal on just unedited footage, since editing takes a lot of time. We decided to go ahead and get an edited version (with the caveat that we will get to choose the background music) since like you I worried that I would regret not having the pro video made.
I know that I absolutely would not bother watching one, so I didn't even consider hiring one. sounds like you're the kind of person who wouldn't either.
I'm only getting a videographer because neither my mother nor my grandmother will be there. Don't bother-put the 1500 toward something that's important to you.
The people I know who haven't gotten a videographer usually say that they regret it. If you do not like the editing then get the tapes and get the camerawork done by a proffesional. Amateur cameras pan and zoom at the speed of their attention span. On camera lights and steady handling of the camera are priceless and comes with the on-the-job experience of low-lit videos and shaky scenes. The editing can be done later on as long as you have the masters.
I'm a firm believer in doing it because if you regret it, what then? Out of luck. I had video and photo and I am so glad I had video because there are things that the video people captured that my photo people did not at all, or as well.
I hate to be so morbid as well, but inevitably, people will pass away. Film of them smiling, saying sweet things, readings, advice, etc., I really find priceless. I wanted scenes of my mom and dad walking me down the aisle..But I think my mother was more crying than walking. :P
If you don't want it now, why worry about wanting it later? I doubt it's the sort of thing that will ever keep you up at night. Most of our parents, grandparents, etc didn't have wedding videos, and they all find a way to sleep soundly. Ignore all the -- "it's the most important day of your life .... if you don't do 'X' you'll walk around like a depressed loser forever" stuff.
What is important to you? Spend the money there instead. I can think of lots of ways to spend an extra $1500. Late night taco bar? Better band? Brunch the next morning?
Or you could just not spend the money. In an economy like this, it may be a wise decision. Put it in the bank. Better yet, stuff it in your mattress....
I had a videographer who was a documentary guy and did weddings on the side. He did a great job capturing the day and editing the video, no cheese, which was a requirement for me!
My husband and I watched it as soon as we got it and we were thrilled to see the night again - so much we missed and parts that we were happy to just see again - the ceremony, speeches, fun on the dance floor. You don't need a professional for that if you have someone who will shoot some of the night for you!
I don't actually know anyone who has regretted a videographer, but I do know people who regretted not having any video (professional or otherwise). Pictures don't capture the quivering in my husband's voice as he said his vows, the laughter from the crowd during the speech, the first dance, etc etc.
Didn't have a videographer. Never even seriously considered it; couldn't see myself watching the video later, and was concerned about a videographer's presence having an inhibiting effect on the guests.
We didn't get a videographer and I'm still happy that we didn't. I HATE seeing/hearing myself on video, so I think that seeing myself on video on my wedding day would have ruined a lot of the happy feelings and memories I had associated with it. Plus, it helped us save money :)
My suggestion would be to allot that money towards a second photographer and/or a really amazing one so that your day will be documented completely that way.
Our church surprised us with an audio recording of the ceremony after the wedding. I guess it's standard procedure for them and it was free. We listen to it every year on our anniversary and I like hearing our voices during the vows, the beautiful music and my family's voices doing the readings. I love having the images in my *head* and I have never regretted saying "no" to a videographer. Maybe you could see if your venue would let you plug a rudimentary audio recorder into the microphone system?
I think it's more important for the ceremony if you want to be able to hear your own vows. Maybe you could find someone that wouldn't edit it into a cinematic masterpiece but would just give you the tapes?
We did not get a videographer. I have seen a LOT of crappy wedding videos and know that if we wanted something good enough to enjoy, we'd be paying way more than it was worth to us. We did, however, buy a video camera and enlisted a friend to hold it during the ceremony-of course the expectation was low so we were not disappointed.
Why don't you contact your local film board -- you can find it through your chamber of commerce -- they will definitely have a list of local videographers who would most likely shoot it for less than your budget and have a different style then other weddings -- then you can edit it yourself cutting out the rest of the cheese factor!
I always thought it was amazing how people venerate photographers but downplay good videographers. Good ones have artistry and I would venture to guess that you would look through your professional wedding album photos about as often as you would a video. So ask yourself what you find important and interview the videographers with the same amount of interest and critical eye that you would a photographer. If they have a cheesy style then don't go with them. If they have a cinematographer's eye for light then book them.Or don't, I just want to make sure that you don't get talked out of something you might really like to have years in the future because some people have had bad experiences. After all, I've seen my share of bad photography. But I'm still having someone shoot my wedding.
We are getting married in Raleigh, NC in May 2009. My parents are paying for the wedding and have given us what we consider a generous budget. They are allotting $1500 for a videographer. I've watched sample videos for AT LEAST 15 different videographers- within our budget and more expensive- and I hate them all. I don't think the issue is that there aren't good videographers in the area, just that I hate wedding videos. They are all so cheesy. I'd just as soon have someone in my family carry around a digital camera and get the video that way- no corny music, no weird cinematography, just a straight up video of our day. I definitely don't want a 5 minute video of us kissing set to "wind beneath my wings."
I guess my question is- when we're older, will we wish we had a professional video made?
posted by amandopolis 23 posts 2 months agoi would say, get a videographer. But it depends on you and your husband-to-be. I've talked to a lot of people who say that ya, pictures are great.. but sometimes you wish you could HEAR or SEE it happening again.
I'm with you on the corny videos... and we decided to spring a little more for a cinematography videographer. They are so cool and they videos aren't corny. if you can do it, i would go for that... but maybe, you can just hire a videographer to shoot the whole thing and give you a raw copy -- it's expensive because of the editing they do -- and ince you don't like it, don't pay for it. It will be like having a family member do it, except better.
:)
posted by nada122 15 posts 2 months agoI got a videographer because I wanted someone with experience filming my wedding. No worries about a family member getting a little tipsy and missing some key moment, less likelyhood of issues with sound or bad lighting, plus multiple cameras so I can see different things going on at the same time (ie us making our vows, cut with audience reactions). Also, I didn't want to saddle any of our guests with the job.
I agree that there's a lot of cheese in wedding videography, so one thing we made sure to ask for was raw footage - that way if the cut footage was too sappy, we could always watch the raw footage or re-cut our own version. Some videographers will offer you a deal on just unedited footage, since editing takes a lot of time. We decided to go ahead and get an edited version (with the caveat that we will get to choose the background music) since like you I worried that I would regret not having the pro video made.
posted by Pengwen 57 posts 2 months agoI know that I absolutely would not bother watching one, so I didn't even consider hiring one. sounds like you're the kind of person who wouldn't either.
posted by MsPopcorn 104 posts 2 months agoI'm only getting a videographer because neither my mother nor my grandmother will be there. Don't bother-put the 1500 toward something that's important to you.
posted by ninanina 48 posts 2 months agoThe people I know who haven't gotten a videographer usually say that they regret it. If you do not like the editing then get the tapes and get the camerawork done by a proffesional. Amateur cameras pan and zoom at the speed of their attention span. On camera lights and steady handling of the camera are priceless and comes with the on-the-job experience of low-lit videos and shaky scenes. The editing can be done later on as long as you have the masters.
posted by RyanT 70 posts 2 months agoI'm a firm believer in doing it because if you regret it, what then? Out of luck. I had video and photo and I am so glad I had video because there are things that the video people captured that my photo people did not at all, or as well.
I hate to be so morbid as well, but inevitably, people will pass away. Film of them smiling, saying sweet things, readings, advice, etc., I really find priceless. I wanted scenes of my mom and dad walking me down the aisle..But I think my mother was more crying than walking. :P
posted by JCM9608 466 posts 2 months agoIf you don't want it now, why worry about wanting it later? I doubt it's the sort of thing that will ever keep you up at night. Most of our parents, grandparents, etc didn't have wedding videos, and they all find a way to sleep soundly. Ignore all the -- "it's the most important day of your life .... if you don't do 'X' you'll walk around like a depressed loser forever" stuff.
What is important to you? Spend the money there instead. I can think of lots of ways to spend an extra $1500. Late night taco bar? Better band? Brunch the next morning?
Or you could just not spend the money. In an economy like this, it may be a wise decision. Put it in the bank. Better yet, stuff it in your mattress....
posted by bluegreenjean 118 posts 2 months agoI had a videographer who was a documentary guy and did weddings on the side. He did a great job capturing the day and editing the video, no cheese, which was a requirement for me!
My husband and I watched it as soon as we got it and we were thrilled to see the night again - so much we missed and parts that we were happy to just see again - the ceremony, speeches, fun on the dance floor. You don't need a professional for that if you have someone who will shoot some of the night for you!
I don't actually know anyone who has regretted a videographer, but I do know people who regretted not having any video (professional or otherwise). Pictures don't capture the quivering in my husband's voice as he said his vows, the laughter from the crowd during the speech, the first dance, etc etc.
posted by Janna19 340 posts 2 months agoDidn't have a videographer. Never even seriously considered it; couldn't see myself watching the video later, and was concerned about a videographer's presence having an inhibiting effect on the guests.
Life has gone on, and quite happily at that. :)
posted by maryalison 105 posts 2 months agoWe didn't get a videographer and I'm still happy that we didn't. I HATE seeing/hearing myself on video, so I think that seeing myself on video on my wedding day would have ruined a lot of the happy feelings and memories I had associated with it. Plus, it helped us save money :)
My suggestion would be to allot that money towards a second photographer and/or a really amazing one so that your day will be documented completely that way.
posted by missbean 131 posts 2 months agoOur church surprised us with an audio recording of the ceremony after the wedding. I guess it's standard procedure for them and it was free. We listen to it every year on our anniversary and I like hearing our voices during the vows, the beautiful music and my family's voices doing the readings. I love having the images in my *head* and I have never regretted saying "no" to a videographer. Maybe you could see if your venue would let you plug a rudimentary audio recorder into the microphone system?
posted by LoveTed 11 posts 2 months agoI think it's more important for the ceremony if you want to be able to hear your own vows. Maybe you could find someone that wouldn't edit it into a cinematic masterpiece but would just give you the tapes?
posted by ncdesignergal 3 posts 1 month agoWe did not get a videographer. I have seen a LOT of crappy wedding videos and know that if we wanted something good enough to enjoy, we'd be paying way more than it was worth to us. We did, however, buy a video camera and enlisted a friend to hold it during the ceremony-of course the expectation was low so we were not disappointed.
Jessica
http://www.snaptacularphotos.com/blog/
posted by saltyveruca 61 posts 1 month agoWhy don't you contact your local film board -- you can find it through your chamber of commerce -- they will definitely have a list of local videographers who would most likely shoot it for less than your budget and have a different style then other weddings -- then you can edit it yourself cutting out the rest of the cheese factor!
posted by boldkira 9 posts 1 month agoI always thought it was amazing how people venerate photographers but downplay good videographers. Good ones have artistry and I would venture to guess that you would look through your professional wedding album photos about as often as you would a video. So ask yourself what you find important and interview the videographers with the same amount of interest and critical eye that you would a photographer. If they have a cheesy style then don't go with them. If they have a cinematographer's eye for light then book them.Or don't, I just want to make sure that you don't get talked out of something you might really like to have years in the future because some people have had bad experiences. After all, I've seen my share of bad photography. But I'm still having someone shoot my wedding.
posted by RyanT 70 posts 1 month ago