Videography??

[Wish on a Star]

I have been back and forth on the subject of Videography. Up until now I was okay with the idea of just having a family friend or relative take a home video of my wedding at Sea Breeze Point. But as I get closer to my wedding, I am wondering if I will regret this. I have already hired Randy to do the photography- so I could add STVS a discounted rate. (if they are even available)

My question is in your opinion should I find the money to hire professional videographer for my wedding?
Has anyone not hired one and regretted it?
How much do you even watch your video?

 

[receptionist]

As I have said many times before do the videography, years from now you will not regret it. Besides your pictures the video is all you have to relive that special day. And as the years go by and many of your friends and relatives pass away you will always have that special memory and be able to relive it again. Even if you only watch it once a year maybe on your anniversary just knowing that you have it will be worth all the money you put into it. It is better to have it than to regret not doing it. Also hire a professional to do it, they know what to do and what things to tape. If you have a friend or relative to do it they won't enjoy the wedding and you probably won't get the shots that you will want. This is not something you will be able to do over again, so do it right the first time.

 

[Tabetha]

Here's a totally non-snarky nudge towards some helpful threads on this very topic...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2152300&highlight=videography
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2154368&highlight=videography
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1828058&highlight=videography

For me, I thought I'd regret not having it if I didn't do it. And when I watched our video, I was so happy we'd spent the money. There were so many little things I'd forgotten about, or hadn't seen...
Good luck with your decision.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I haven't seen my video yet, but I am so looking forward to it. I am thrilled we had them there to capture every moment. Pictures are amazing, but videography captures something quite different.

 

[thatdisneygirl]

We paid less than $600 for our videographer, which was the cheapest I could find anywhere. In the end, I'm glad that we got the video, but it wasn't very good quality and the videos taken by our friends with camcorders were much clearer. Between the video and the photos we had taken by the Roots, I would say that we definitely treasure the photos and feel like they captured the feeling of the day, while the video is just so so.

That being said, he got the full ceremony and our first dance, which were the two things that I really wanted on video, and those were the things that we shared with everyone who couldn't be in Florida with us.

So is it worth it?...enh...it was for us, but if it had been even one or two hundred dollars more, I would have said no.

 

[Bride-to-be]

My mom is very old fashioned and very anti videos. She thinks that they are beyond tacky.

So originally we all sort of agreed that we would skip the video to make her happy.

I am now sort of on the fence. I really like the idea of the castle ceremony because it includes a videographer. Since its included and we are already paying for it my mom can't really say anything. I think the ceremony is going to be longer and more formal with more to look at in the end. If we were to do a really casual beach ceremony instead without all of the frills then I don't think I would want a video, I think the pictures would be adequate.

My biggest fear is spending all of the money and being really disappointed in the end. If we go the beach route I think I am just going to ask a family member to record it.

 

[MegKate]

And as the years go by and many of your friends and relatives pass away you will always have that special memory and be able to relive it again. .

I completely agree - my cousin's wedding video from 1990 was the only video that there is of my great aunt who was like a mother to me. I was a JrBM at the wedding, and it's interesting to see my 9 year old self, but just to see my great aunt on the TV so alive and healthy is priceless. She passed away in 1996 - and there are others who have passed as well, but none so special as my great aunt.

 

[receptionist]

My point exactly, my son-in-laws aunt was interviewed at the beginning of the video and three months after the wedding she passed away from cancer. Her son was one of the groomsmen, so being able to see her again when the video is watched will be priceless.

 

[honey2741]

I say GET THE VIDEOGRAPHY! I know in trying to cut back on costs this could be one of the first things to cut or not consider. You already have Randy, so I would inquire with Stan right away and see if he is available. I'm not sure of your wedding date, but his calendar for 2009 especially towards the last part of the year is filling up fast. I think with video it captures and caters to most of your senses; hearing, touch, sight and even stirs up smells.

If going with Stan just get the basic package and not add anything extra on to save $. Whatever you decide I think later on you won't REGRET not getting it. I think of it has a piece of history and evidence of a truly magical day. Good luck with your decision.

 

[twiu]

I work in video production and I want to let you guys know that just because someone says they can do your video, does not mean it's going to be good video. (I work for an in house advertising company.. we do a lot of videos for web, commercials, tv, etc).

Be careful! Make sure to ask your questions. If things are intimidating, because you don't know exactly what to ask, do some research.

Good video costs money. The reason for this is... well, it's a pain in the butt to edit wedding videos. These things are emotional and personal. It takes a lot of skill to get all that footage and make it something worthwhile. Also, if you have a 2 camera team and they work for.. let's say , 6 hours... you're talking about 12 hours of footage that has to be edited into an hour video. It's a pain in the butt!!! Good equipment is also quite costly... so if someone's offering you video for cheap, it's probably because they don't know what they're doing or have very cheap gear.

I think video is a personal option. Personally, I couldn't have lived without my wedding video. But... I will say, I shopped around for a videographer for my wedding and I couldn't find anyone out there who I trusted or who's style I admired. Working in video makes you a lot pickier and I couldn't find anyone who could give me the quality of work that the people I work with could do (except for simply cinematic in Orlando.. but wow, I couldn't afford them).

I ended up hiring my coworkers (even though they came to the wedding too).. but I gave them a little extra for the work. I ended up editing it myself ...

Just be careful. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you do your research and ask the key questions.

1. How long have they been doing this?
2. Will you have any input on the editing (music, style etc)
3. What kind of gear will they be shooting with?
4. What about audio?
5. How many camera's?
6. What's the turn around time for an edit?
7. How many weddings have they shot?
8. How many weddings do they do in a month? (this is because, the more they do, the more experience they have but also.. it might take them longer to give you your edit).

Anyway... good luck. And hopefully you'll find a great videographer if you decide to do so...

 

[Wish on a Star]

I think that STVS would be the best option for me, because of the package with Randy Chapman. I know a lot of people have used them- did you like them? I have seen the clips on their websites, but I was wondering if there were interviews or if you got to pick your own music. How long are the videos?

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

twiu-I can't claim any type of videographic knowledge, but after seeing how hard our videographers worked, I can COMPLETELY agree with your point! It puts the price thing totally into perspective, and makes me glad I went with Disney.

At our Escape in June, though, we were obviously going for "no additional hidden costs." One of our two guests held up my Sony camera on the video setting. It only catches my expressions. The wind noise is terrible. And there's certainly no creative camera angles. But, I'm still thrilled to have it. Everyone has a limit to their budget...but I personally don't think anyone should put video in the "easily cut" category. Realize that it IS expensive, but there is a reason (as twiu expertly pointed out!). So, find the best you can in your budget.

 

[twiu]

I think that STVS would be the best option for me, because of the package with Randy Chapman. I know a lot of people have used them- did you like them? I have seen the clips on their websites, but I was wondering if there were interviews or if you got to pick your own music. How long are the videos?

If you go with STVS.. ask them these questions. Ask if they will do interviews (usually they charge extra for this). I would also definitely ask if you can pick your own music. Music is such a personal thing - and actually, as an editor myself, it makes it much easier to edit something if the music is predetermined.

Some of the stuff STVS does though (the green screen fireworks stuff and some of the special effects stuff) I find very cheezy.. that's my personal opinion. I also know how easy it is to do it they way they do it and I think it's a rip off that they're charging that much. That's just me though.. so just be careful.

Yes.. it is expensive to get good quality - but also, don't get ripped off. Sometimes those added extras are a joke. Think twice before you commit to all the added stuff they try to sell you.

And.. if you need any help.. feel free to PM me. I'd be glad to help you understand the little tedious details if you want.

 

[copper4]

When we were married twelve years ago, we decided we didn't need the video (we didn't want to spend the extra money for it)- we had the photographer and thought that would be fine. We were so very, very foolish - our wedding day was a blur and we missed so much of the special moments that everyone just loved- we wrote our own vows, hired a magician and sketch artist, had special sentimental songs played, etc. Our wedding album turned out great BUT there's only so much you can get out of still photography. I would give anything to go back and do it over and get the video. Besides being able to relive our special day into which we put so much planning and effort, so many of the people in our lives are now gone who were there- it would be so great to hear their voices again and watch them laughing, talking, dancing. Both my dad and mom are gone now as is my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and father-in-law. I would love to hear their voices again and watch them having a great time at the wedding. IMHO, if you're thinking of cutting something out of your budget, don't cut this. In the first place, having a DFTW is so very unique, you will want to relive it again and again. In the second place, still photography can never tell the story of your day the way a video can, and lastly, as mentioned earlier and by so many others, you'll always have the voices and actions of your dear ones, long after they have left the world behind.

BTW, my brother did have a video camera and tried to take some footage but just not the same- he couldn't video the ceremony and during the reception, there were a lot of times when he was shooting over people's heads or people walked in front of him and the background noise drowned out people talking plus eventually he wanted to enjoy the reception, not be our videographer so go thr professional route if you want a quality video...

 

[Tabetha]

It's a moot point if they're not allowing outside vendors do the in park stuff (did that go through? I haven't been paying attention), but for me the fireworks at our Dessert Party alone made the video worth it.

 

[lurkyloo]

It's a moot point if they're not allowing outside vendors do the in park stuff (did that go through? I haven't been paying attention), but for me the fireworks at our Dessert Party alone made the video worth it.

Correct - outside vendors are no longer allowed inside the parks.