The most repeated phrase you'll hear in the run-up to your big day is ‘it'll fly by'. People will be forever telling you that the vows will pass in a blur, you'll hardly feel like you've seen your husband or spent much time with half your guests and that the months (or even years) of preparation will go by in a flash. A wedding video provides a vivid record of your big day that you can keep forever and, as with your photographer, you want to make sure that it's as slick and professional as possible. Here's how to get the best out of your wedding video whether you use a professional company or an amateur friend...
The Professional
- Be prepared to pay between £500 and £1500 for a slick, polished wedding video. Go to the Association of Professional Videomakers www.apv.org.uk for a qualified videomaker
- Ask to see a sample of their work so you can check the quality and style. It's better to see a whole wedding video rather than edited highlights
- Ensure the person you meet is the person you're getting. You don't want it subcontracted to someone you haven't met
- Ask for a breakdown of costs so you know how much he's charging for editing, adding titles and dubbing music
- Make sure you tell your cameraman any key moments you want captured, other than the obvious first dance and cutting-the-cake shots
- Feel free to suggest the music you'd like dubbed over the top. It's what you're paying for
The Amateur
- If you've asked a friend or relative to film your wedding and they are not using their own equipment, make sure you give them the camera a few days before so that they have plenty of time to familiarise themselves with its workings
- If you're saving pennies by using a volunteer, don't expect a high quality video. It's bound to be a bit rough around the edges
- Get hold of a tripod so your amateur will look more professional when they're filming the ceremony
- It's better to take too much footage then too little and remember, short bursts of film are more effective, especially when they're edited together
- After they've filmed the vows, get them to turn off the sound on the camera so that you can lay a soundtrack over the top
- Lastly, don't be surprised if the quality of the video slides as the wine flows more freely
