Is a Video Necessary?

[jmmastra]

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?

That was my suggestion. I really wanted them to capture the location. It was the ceremony only. I had 30 people at the reception and as much as I love them I did not want to view 3 hours of them eating and dancing! We had our own camcorder at the reception and captured the important things on our own. A Magic Moment did ask after the ceremony if I wanted to extend the coverage and I said no. He did stay around a little longer to capture some of the photo shoot that Randy was doing.

 

[dee slack]

A Magic Moment did ask after the ceremony if I wanted to extend the coverage and I said no. He did stay around a little longer to capture some of the photo shoot that Randy was doing.

I've heard from others that amm don't actually stay the full 2 hours, by coming early then wanting extra money to stay and cover the cake cutting (Intimate), do you think the 2 hours will be enough for the ceremony and cake cutting/Mickey? I don't want to spend any more than the $500 but don't want to miss the main things.

 

[JackieSparrow]

I've heard from others that amm don't actually stay the full 2 hours, by coming early then wanting extra money to stay and cover the cake cutting (Intimate), do you think the 2 hours will be enough for the ceremony and cake cutting/Mickey? I don't want to spend any more than the $500 but don't want to miss the main things.

Make sure to pay really close attention to the contract. I told them on the phone my ceremony started at 2:30 pm. A girl working there emailed me the contract. It said, ceremony time: 2:00 pm; start time 1:30... this is an hour before the ceremony!!! It took two more times to get it right. They said "oh are you sure the start time is 2:30, that is strange." "Yes, I've heard a lot of intimate ceremony times recently are 2:30." So with the 2 hours, I would think (and hope) that 1:30 - 3:30 is enough time to also capture the cake cutting. Just be sure the contract has the ceremony start time correct so that they don't get there SUPER SUPER early!!

 

[jmmastra]

AMM arrived at 4:30 to get shots of us getting out of the limos, and did a little interviewing. He asked me at 6:30 if I wanted him to say and I told him no. He asked if he could stay a take a few extra shots and I told him that was fine. I will disbute if charged extra but I don't think I will be.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

A small tip:
If you do your own videography and you want the best available sound quality, put a microphone and digital recorder in the groom's or officiant's pocket to record your voices clearly.

When you have the ability to edit sound in your video, you can merge and synchronize the voice recording into your video. That's one of the things the professionals do that sets their quality apart from home video quality.

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Make sure to pay really close attention to the contract. I told them on the phone my ceremony started at 2:30 pm. A girl working there emailed me the contract. It said, ceremony time: 2:00 pm; start time 1:30... this is an hour before the ceremony!!! It took two more times to get it right. They said "oh are you sure the start time is 2:30, that is strange." "Yes, I've heard a lot of intimate ceremony times recently are 2:30." So with the 2 hours, I would think (and hope) that 1:30 - 3:30 is enough time to also capture the cake cutting. Just be sure the contract has the ceremony start time correct so that they don't get there SUPER SUPER early!!

Thanks for the tip! I read this thread just after I booked them, and I got nervous because I was afraid that they would charge for extra time. Our ceremony starts at noon and we have tea reservations at 2 so I defintely don't need them any longer than 11:30-1:30. I wasn't even going to hire a videographer but they were such a great deal. They did mention that they would have an extra charge to set up for the cake cutting...anyone else have this?

 

[dee slack]

They did mention that they would have an extra charge to set up for the cake cutting...anyone else have this?

not heard of this before. I told them that our ceremony is at WP and cake cutting at GF and they didn't mention anything about extra costs. I'm starting to get a little jumpy about them now, but I've paid a deposit.

 

[luv4mylittleones]

hmmm...it was in my contract. He charged me $50, I asked him about it and he told me that he usually charges $75 for an extra location because he has to break everything down and set it back up.

 

[dee slack]

hmmm...it was in my contract. He charged me $50, I asked him about it and he told me that he usually charges $75 for an extra location because he has to break everything down and set it back up.

that seems a little unfair to me, as he can be doing that while you're having photo's taken, so as long as it's within the 2 hours I can't see that they can charge you more. How many couples usually have the ceremony at the exact same place as the cake cutting? It's only minutes from WP to GF.
I'm gonna re-check my contract now!

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Let me know what you find out...

 

[jmmastra]

that seems a little unfair to me, as he can be doing that while you're having photo's taken, so as long as it's within the 2 hours I can't see that they can charge you more. How many couples usually have the ceremony at the exact same place as the cake cutting? It's only minutes from WP to GF.
I'm gonna re-check my contract now!

Sorry Ladies, I can not help with that one, I had a custom wedding so it was ceremony only no cake cutting. He was at WP for the full two hours, if you do not want him to stay for you photos after the ceremony, the cake cutting could be fit in...but it might be a little rushed. But i am not sure why he would charge a set up fee, he wore the camera around his neck

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I love having a video being that you can live in the moment 30 years down the road...

 

[Mean Queen]

Granted I'm biased being the in the video (non-wedding) business, but I think this is one area to not scrimp on. DH and I watch our video every year on our anniversary. Now our DD loves to watch it with us. Also, I lost my mother 2 years ago and it's so nice to just see and hear how happy she was on that day for the rest of my life.

 

[Arabella]

Thanks for all the tips. You guys are right, I would like to have a video to look back on.

I didn't even think about the microphone issue if we were to buy our own camera!

Does anyone know of any other places besides Magic Moment that have affordable packages if they aren't available on our date? So far all of the other places I see mentioned have thousand dollar packages that are beyond my current budget.

 

[heatherlynn444]

get a video!2 it is one of the most important things IMO. mine (have not gotten back yet) will have raw footsge and a bridal recap set to a song and a wedding recap to a song and I am so excited! some ppl who couldnt come to my wedding but really want to see it are so excited, i thin the recaps will be the perfect thing to show ppl without them having to sit through 5 hours of raw footage. plus, there are thigns and people I'm sure I "missed" bc i was busy and i will be able to see those things and all teh little details I didnt pay attention to. also I am, very sappy and will probably watch it 100 times, and am going to make copies for my family etc. i think it is something very special that i want to remember forever!