Is a wedding video worth it?

[*Pixiedust1438*]

We are looking into the possibility of a wedding video. Everywhere I have looked so far has 3 hour packages, but all we really want is the ceremony, which will be less than an hour, so a one hour package is all we would need.
I have 2 questions:
1.) Do you know any companies that offer ceremony only or one hour packages for a reasonable price? ($300 max)
2.) If you got a wedding video, do you think it was worth the cost?

If we don't get a video the money will most likely go towards photography (we would add more hours) and right now we are only looking at having a photographer for 3 hours.

 

[keenercam]

The video of our vow renewal ceremony is so precious to us. We wrote our own ceremony, our friend Kevin, who was our minister, wrote really precious prayers, and each of our kids did a reading chosen by them. We wouldn't give up that part of our video for the world. It was a decision we really struggled with and I can't tell you how much we would have regretted it if we didn't have that. DH and I each wrote vows, and honestly, as much as I was "in the moment" at the time, being able to go back and see us say those vows to each other is so touching.

I hope that helps.

 

[twiu]

I work in video production and I highly believe that it is a huge part. I don't do weddings but I believe a camera can capture so many moments that are forgotten or not noticed. Although you may not watch it every other weekend, it's such a great token to have for years to come - and something your children would love to see someday.

If you're only doing a ceremony, I suggest getting a videographer who will shoot with 2 cameras (at least!). A ceremony is an easy edit but only easy if you have more than one camera!

Just a piece of advice , make sure you communicate with your videographers!!! Nowadays, so many people believe that they can purchase a decent camera and some easy editing software and bam, they're pro's. Please be careful!!! Cameras and editing equipment are so inexpensive nowadays and sometimes you can get someone for a really inexpensive price and your edit turns out horrible.

Please do your research! Style is super important. Do not assume they know what they're doing. Make sure you ask key questions:

1. How long will you be shooting (how many hours)
2. How many cameras will there be (the more camera's the better. Two is ideal, three is amazing! - because they'll have more angles to cut to and more options)
3. What are you shooting on (HD/non HD - which even if they're shooting in HD- doesn't necessarily mean your video will be in HD if they don't have blu ray burning capabilities. Also, HD can mean 720 p. - True HD is 1080p or higher.
4. Will you get raw footage (if so, is this on dvd or tape or whatever media they're shooting on - if you get raw footage on dvd that you plan to edit yourself, remember that your footage is compressed by then so if you edit it, you will lose quality as it will have even more compression).
5. How many years have you been doing this?
6. How many weddings have you shot (shooting weddings is very different than shooting other videos).
7. What's your turnaround time for an edit?
8. How long should I expect my wedding video to be (please ask this, poor Skylarr got screwed on her video and I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else)

There are plenty other questions but feel free to PM me if you have specific questions when it comes to video. Good luck guys!

Anyway, I can go on and on but I think it's a wise investment. You are getting what you pay for though, so be careful on skimping on extremely inexpensive vendors.

 

[Keira1387]

Cam and Tracy said it perfectly. Pictures are great, but watching the wedding video is so much better. I know I would have regretted not having a video.

 

[copper4]

My daughter and her fiance got married at Epcot last year. My brother went through the trouble to be ordained to marry them. I was pretty vocal about wanting a wedding video when they were waffling. They decided to go with the video and I was thrilled. They got married in EPCOT so we had no choice except to use Disney video. Having seen so many other people's non-Disney wedding videos, I had a certain style I expected to see. Interviews with attendees, a story told from beginning to end, etc. We were all very disappointed in the Disney videography. My daughter said they asked about setting up an interview station at the pre-reception but she didn't want something that structured. She expected and asked for a more informal interview process during the reception. While the ceremony video was good (the videography angles were a little strange at times but at least you could hear the entire ceremony), the reception was EXTREMELY disappointing. While they did capture the important pieces (first dance, parents dances, cake cutting), the rest of the time, it seemed they just put a camera on a tripod focused on the dance floor and walked away. No story told, no effort to interview, nothing. The lesson here is to be very specific about what you want your video to cover and make sure they understand what is important to you. Be clear on special things you want included and your expectations for the coverage, especially during the reception hours. While I will always treasure the video because of the ceremony portion, shame on Disney for not doing a better job on telling the story. I expected a lot better from the company that pulls off an incredible job of storytelling in their parks every day.

 

[Bride-to-be]

Truthfully - I don't think you are going to get much of a wedding video for $300. I think if thats your max for the budget you are better off having a friend video tape it for you. I think the quality will end up being pretty close to the same.

I wasn't going to have a video. My mom is old fashioned and was really anti the idea. I made the mistake of listening and then figuring it wasn't worth the money.

My planner convinced me we had to have one - at least for just the ceremony and I am so glad. He was right. He spent forever with me looking at videographers. I am really glad we have the video. Your day is going to fly by and you will forget SO much and not notice SO much.

If there is anyway to cut something else and increase the budget I would. I would use the best videographer you can possibly afford. I would say that the video is just as important (if not more) than the pictures. This is coming from someone who previously wouldn't have spent anything on videography.

 

[DisneyLeah]

Hi there - I just wanted to provide you with links to some other recent threads on video that might give you some more options and things to think about.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2394345

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2431805

HTH!


Leah

 

[Skylarr29]

I work in video production and I highly believe that it is a huge part. I don't do weddings but I believe a camera can capture so many moments that are forgotten or not noticed. Although you may not watch it every other weekend, it's such a great token to have for years to come - and something your children would love to see someday.

If you're only doing a ceremony, I suggest getting a videographer who will shoot with 2 cameras (at least!). A ceremony is an easy edit but only easy if you have more than one camera!

Just a piece of advice , make sure you communicate with your videographers!!! Nowadays, so many people believe that they can purchase a decent camera and some easy editing software and bam, they're pro's. Please be careful!!! Cameras and editing equipment are so inexpensive nowadays and sometimes you can get someone for a really inexpensive price and your edit turns out horrible.

Please do your research! Style is super important. Do not assume they know what they're doing. Make sure you ask key questions:

1. How long will you be shooting (how many hours)
2. How many cameras will there be (the more camera's the better. Two is ideal, three is amazing! - because they'll have more angles to cut to and more options)
3. What are you shooting on (HD/non HD - which even if they're shooting in HD- doesn't necessarily mean your video will be in HD if they don't have blu ray burning capabilities. Also, HD can mean 720 p. - True HD is 1080p or higher.
4. Will you get raw footage (if so, is this on dvd or tape or whatever media they're shooting on - if you get raw footage on dvd that you plan to edit yourself, remember that your footage is compressed by then so if you edit it, you will lose quality as it will have even more compression).
5. How many years have you been doing this?
6. How many weddings have you shot (shooting weddings is very different than shooting other videos).
7. What's your turnaround time for an edit?
8. How long should I expect my wedding video to be (please ask this, poor Skylarr got screwed on her video and I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else)

There are plenty other questions but feel free to PM me if you have specific questions when it comes to video. Good luck guys!

Anyway, I can go on and on but I think it's a wise investment. You are getting what you pay for though, so be careful on skimping on extremely inexpensive vendors.

Yes, please follow this advice no matter how much you spend. My video is absolutely horrid and for 5k, I have nothing to show for it. I wish I would have read this before using the videographer I did. Also, if something doesn't seem 'right', follow your gut, don't just go by reviews from other people's experiences. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I think the video is completely worth it. I had 2 friends video for us because there isn't a video package available on the ship. I don't even remember hearing the music because I was so wrapped up in emotion. It is nice to be able to look back now and see what the pictures just can't capture..If $300 is your budget, maybe you can buy a camera and have someone record it for you. Then you would have it for the reception and forever.
Maybe I am crazy, but I think you could get a decent little video camera for that.

 

[DisneyLeah]

The above poster mentioned a lot of the questions I asked my videographer.

I would also suggest adding "How many Disney Weddings do you shoot per year?"

From what I understand, Disney runs their weddings on a very strict schedule and both your photographer and videographer need to "know what they are doing" in order to get all the shots you want and stay within Disney's tight schedule!

good luck!