Is a Video Necessary?

[Arabella]

So I am trying to cut costs a little to make up for the increase in prices next year.

Aside from my dress I was thinking about cutting out the video service and buying a new camcorder and tripod instead. Ugh, I hate to do that but S.O. said "Yea, you can cut that out because how often do you plan on watching the video? I mean we arent going to watch it everyday."

What do you all think. Is the wedding video that important? If you've already been married how much do you value the professional video?

 

[cryssi]

We splurged on photography, so we were not going to have a videographer. However, at the urging of many who said that we would regret not having a video, we hired videographers to just take raw footage of our wedding. Here it is 1.5 years later and we have yet to see the footage and edit it...of course, that is mainly because we don't have a miniDV camcorder to import the footage onto the computer. We should be getting one this year, though, so we can finally relive the wedding. LOL

My cousin and her husband watch their wedding video every year on their anniversary. Cute, huh?

I say yes.

p.s. I should add that the reason we went this route other than to save money was because DH likes to do that sort of thing, edit video, that is!

 

[Laurafoster]

We were originally going to cut the video but im really glad i didnt! It was the best decision i ever made! I have watched it a few times already. For me it was because i have my grandparents who are quite old and frail and i'll always have that memory of them!

Its totally your choice but dont cut it out just to cut back if you think you may regret it a few years down the line! Some of the non disney videographers do smaller packages that may be more affordable??

 

[dee slack]

we're having a magic moment for 2 hours at $500 as we are pretty tight on our budget for our vow renewal. I definately didn't want to miss out altogether as you seem to miss so much on the day, so we chose a small package.

We recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and I had our wedding tape transferred to DVD so we can continue to watch it. It was a few years since we saw it last and it was lovely to watch it again and see loved ones who are no longer with us, and the small children who are now almost 'grown up'.

I would recommend some kind of coverage, but the final decision is yours. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[PrincessBride07]

What DF and I are doing is having a slideshow made with our photos. We are having Randy Chapman for our photographer, and he gives you the rights to the photos. Along with a ton of photos from what I hear. I am going to the photographer who took our engagement photos (can't have him for the wedding due to costs, we would have to fly him in.) and he is going to create the slide show with music. He did it for our engagement photos and it is really nice. He also told us that he has had a few brides opt for the slideshow as opposed to the video because it was better.

 

[Arabella]

we're having a magic moment for 2 hours at $500

$500 is about what I would spend on buying a video camera. What is a magic moment package?

 

[cryssi]

the thing about buying a camcorder is, do you edit your own video? do you just want footage from the day, or a nice, edited, set to music video? that's what the extra considerations are. plus, if you just set the camcorder on a tripod, you'll miss a lot of stuff that a videographer (whether it be a family member taking the video or a pro) will capture (like zooming in and detail stuff).

 

[Mary626]

So I am trying to cut costs a little to make up for the increase in prices next year.

Aside from my dress I was thinking about cutting out the video service and buying a new camcorder and tripod instead. Ugh, I hate to do that but S.O. said "Yea, you can cut that out because how often do you plan on watching the video? I mean we arent going to watch it everyday."

What do you all think. Is the wedding video that important? If you've already been married how much do you value the professional video?

I think you'll definitely want some video footage of your wedding, but whether or not it's professional I don't think matters too much.. as long as you trust one of your guests enough to get enough footage and to hold the camera straight, etc.. If you know someone who's always recording and taking home videos, etc.. then you should ask them if they can record a lot of the wedding for you as their wedding gift to you.

The big reason that I got a professional videographer was because I didn't think any of my guests had camcorders, and none were that interested in taking video the whole time. But then after the wedding, one of my guests gave me a copy of his video footage and I thought it was great! Had I known he was going to record as much as he did, I think I would have saved myself the 2,000 I spent on the professional videography. That said, I do love the professional footage, and it's nice to have a quick edit that I can show people or put in and reminisce, it's really well done. But I value the amateur stuff because it's more "realistic" - has more of the real music being played and gives you more of a sense of how the wedding really was. I would have been fine with having that as my wedding video and saving my money, but of course I didn't have a crystal ball so I had no way of knowing, and I figured better safe than sorry!
Anyway, that's just my two cents.

 

[dee slack]

$500 is about what I would spend on buying a video camera. What is a magic moment package?

A magic moment has 2 value packages:
Intimate Premium - Includes 1 ½ hours of videography coverage. Features a musical opening with name & title, minor editing of entire event and a romantic musical collage ending. Cost is $350.


Intimate Deluxe - Includes 2 hours of videography coverage. Begins with a musical opening with name & title and can include up to 15 photos provided by bride & groom. Features more elaborate editing incorporating special effects such as freeze frame, color effects, & slow motion. Results in a more polished tape with smoother transitions. Ends with a romantic collage put together from footage done during wedding photography. Cost is $500.

She told me that the finished product in the Intimate Deluxe package video is on standard DVD, lasts around 25-30 mins and will be with me in 48 hours (not sure if this is because we will be going back to the UK a week after, or if this is standard).
Their website is www.amagicmoment.com

 

[JandJ]

We didn't want the video and I don't regret it. My sister was going to record it herself but we told her not to. My wedding was perfect - completely perfect and I don't need a video to remind me of it or possibly deract from my wonderful memories.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[holidaybride]

I considered not having the videographer, but everyone kept telling me that I would regret it so I went with it!! I am so happy that I did..the video is so beautiful and I have watched it many times..everyone in my family wants a copy! For me it is really nice to know that in 10 or 20 years we can watch ourselves say our vows...have the first dance etc! I would say that if you think you are going to regret it, then if you can get the video! Honestly,every time I watch the video it is like I am back on my wedding day!

 

[PrincessBride07]

and I don't need a video to remind me of it or possibly deract from my wonderful memories.
Just my 2 cents.

That is exactly why I don't want one. I agree with you entirely.

 

[KingdomHearts]

My Dh and I were married last July, and I was very skeptical about paying that much money for videography also. But I am really glad that I did. The day flew by so fast I didnt even remember doing most of the things we did! So by having the video I was able to be like"oh yea we did do that". So I am really thankful that we did the video, because it goes by so quickly!

 

[jmmastra]

I used A Magic Moment and purchased their $500, 2 hour package and so happy I did. I did not get to see anything! Because I was hidden I did not get to see anyone walk down the isle or hear the music I so carefully picked out. I remember some of the ceremony, but not all of it. We had a camcorder too, but it was recorded by a relative and the video is okay, but not great. Not that I am complaining. I appreciate the fact that some did that for me
I am a setimental..sappy person and I know I will watch it for years to come. It really depends on what you want. I wanted to view the wedding as a guest would. A Magic Moment was very professional. I will let you know what I think of the end product once I get it

 

[dee slack]

I used A Magic Moment and purchased their $500, 2 hour package and so happy I did. I did not get to see anything! Because I was hidden I did not get to see anyone walk down the isle or hear the music I so carefully picked out. I remember some of the ceremony, but not all of it. We had a camcorder too, but it was recorded by a relative and the video is okay, but not great. Not that I am complaining. I appreciate the fact that some did that for me
I am a setimental..sappy person and I know I will watch it for years to come. It really depends on what you want. I wanted to view the wedding as a guest would. A Magic Moment was very professional. I will let you know what I think of the end product once I get it

did you give them photo's to include on the video? I can't decide if we should or not. Have you chosen your own music, or are they making the choice? Do you know when you will have the finished video? Please let us know when you do

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I initially thought I didn't want a video, but I have since changed my mind and have booked STVS to record our wedding day. I only have my mom attending the wedding so my first thought was for the people that couldn't attend, it would be nice for them to be able to see it, esp my grandparents. Then I thought, that there are loads of things I will miss on the day that I have worked so hard to plan, I want to be able to see it all, year after year. We have chosen a basic intimate package as we have upgraded our photo package instead. We are having 3 hours video time. My brother had his ceremony recorded by a family member and my mother says it's a shame because it isn't very good, he apparently missed alot of important parts. I'm very sentimental and I know I would watch it alot, so for me splurging a bit more to get it recorded is not a regret I have.

 

[dmslush]

I initially thought I didn't want a video, but I have since changed my mind and have booked STVS to record our wedding day. I only have my mom attending the wedding so my first thought was for the people that couldn't attend, it would be nice for them to be able to see it, esp my grandparents. Then I thought, that there are loads of things I will miss on the day that I have worked so hard to plan, I want to be able to see it all, year after year. We have chosen a basic intimate package as we have upgraded our photo package instead. We are having 3 hours video time. My brother had his ceremony recorded by a family member and my mother says it's a shame because it isn't very good, he apparently missed alot of important parts. I'm very sentimental and I know I would watch it alot, so for me splurging a bit more to get it recorded is not a regret I have.

I'm getting video for many of the same reasons. There will be no one there but me, df, and our daughter. I want to have an at home reception, and thought it would be nice to have the video playing during the reception.

 

[jmmastra]

did you give them photo's to include on the video? I can't decide if we should or not. Have you chosen your own music, or are they making the choice? Do you know when you will have the finished video? Please let us know when you do

No we did not give them photos for the video because our wedding invitation was a dvd with pictures of us, so I thought that would be a little repetative. Instead I asked for scenery since the WP is so beautiful. They are making the choice in music which I am fine with becasue it was only video of the ceremony...so I am hoping that it is mostly us speaking and the music we picked through Disney. I am not sure about the turn around time. I am hoping to have it for my second reception. I will be emailing them towards the end of the week to check on it. I will let you know what I find out.

 

[Eganclan]

Have to say that 22 years later I can still say " I wish I had a video". Two relatives told me that they would be taping and not to hire someone. For some reason neither one of them did. We had a beautiful ceremony performed by 2 family priests who have now both passed away and a great reception that I would just love to be able to look at once in a while. Best of luck with all of your plans.

 

[dee slack]

No we did not give them photos for the video because our wedding invitation was a dvd with pictures of us, so I thought that would be a little repetative. Instead I asked for scenery since the WP is so beautiful. They are making the choice in music which I am fine with becasue it was only video of the ceremony...so I am hoping that it is mostly us speaking and the music we picked through Disney. I am not sure about the turn around time. I am hoping to have it for my second reception. I will be emailing them towards the end of the week to check on it. I will let you know what I find out.

I like the idea of pics of the wp at the beginning - was that your idea or did they suggest it? Did they video any of your reception, or purely the ceremony in the 2 hours?