Weddingguide


	YOUR WEDDING VIDEO
	by Ronnie Oberholzer

	Booking a videographer and a photographer is probably one of the most
	important arrangements that a bridal couple must make for the big day. A
	lot of time and effort is generally put into the planning for the wedding, but
	the importance of a professional videographer is often underestimated –
	people often say: “My uncle has a good video camera and doesn’t take bad
	family videos; we can just ask him to do the wedding video!” Such a video is
	seldom videotaped and edited professionally and the result is often
	disappointing. The video and photographs are the only tangible memories
	that a bridal couple can keep of the wedding; so if the video and
	photographs are not good, the couple has a problem to which there is no
	solution. Is it worth taking the chance?

	A professional videographer’s services do not come cheap. You pay for the
	videographer’s experience, sophisticated equipment and its maintenance,
	as well as the many hours the person has to spend in front of the computer
	editing the video (about 25 to 40 hours).

	If you pay peanuts, you’ll get peanuts, as the adage says.
	A professional videographer always meets with the prospective bridal couple
	beforehand to discover exactly what they expect of the video; so, for
	example, he or she will ask whether they want the video to cover the entire
	wedding or just the wedding ceremony and reception. It is usually best for
	the video to start with the bride dressing – many charming moments can be
	captured, for example, the bride and her bridesmaids chatting, with soft
	background music, and video clips of the bride alone and with her retinue
	before the ceremony starts. In the interview, the videographer should be
	able to show the bridal couple a variety of examples of DVDs the
	videographer has made, and out of which the couple should choose one to
	look at. They should pay attention to the style of the video and the clarity of
	the picture – does it run smoothly, without any jerkiness? The sound quality
	is also very important. Is an external microphone used, for example, a lapel
	radio microphone for the minister? These microphones are used mainly for
	the minister, as well as to capture the bridal couple’s responses to the
	questions the minister asks. It also ensures that voices are clear. Is another
	external microphone used for the guests’ singing, vocal solos and other
	music? All these different sounds recorded in the church or chapel are then
	mixed using a sound mixer to prevent a situation in which only the minister’s
	voice is recorded.

	It is very important for the bridal couple to feel comfortable with the
	videographer they choose – it will enable them to enjoy their wedding
	without having to worry or feel uncomfortable about the video recording.

	Every bridal couple’s video is unique – it depends on their personality and,
	to a large extent, on where the video and photographs are taken. A pretty
	background helps to create a pleasing video. If the couple is spontaneous
	and exuberant, the video is likely to be light-hearted, whereas a more
	dignified couple’s video will probably be more formal.

	The ceremony can be covered fully by using two cameras – one focused on
	the bridal couple and one on the minister. The video clips are interspersed
	with various clips of flowers, the guests, etc. to prevent the monotonousness
	of a video focusing on just one spot. The lighting in the church or chapel
	should be soft and should not bother the minister or the bridal couple.





	Lighting is essential, because good lighting makes for better video
	recordings. The light must be positioned behind a special umbrella to
	create a soft effect and should not shine straight into the eyes of the minister
	or bridal couple like a spotlight.

	A professional videographer will cover the whole wedding ceremony in the
	church or chapel and not just parts of it. This technique helps to ensure the
	continuity of the storyline.

	At the reception, everyone who makes a speech and proposes a toast is
	videotaped. There should also be clips of the guests at the tables, chatting
	and enjoying themselves. Clips of special little details at the reception that
	the bridal couple will not necessarily notice will make the DVD so much
	more interesting. The groom’s speech is probably the most important speech
	to tape – especially when his friends heckle him and interrupt his speech.
	Video messages from the guests to the bridal couple can be very precious
	and special to the couple.

	The editing of the DVD is very important. It must be tastefully done and
	should follow a logical story line. The transitions from one key moment to
	the next should be smooth and the use of special effects should be kept to a
	minimum. A professional videographer will use no more than two or three
	effects – more would be distracting.

	The playing time of the DVD can be up to two hours. It depends on a
	number of things, for example, the length of the church service and the
	reception and the number of video clips taken of the bridal couple between
	the church service and the reception. A good average is about one hour and
	fifteen minutes. If the DVD is much longer, the quality usually decreases.

	The videographer must always be neatly dressed – denims are definitely
	out. The videographer should not stand out at the wedding, but should be
	able to blend into the background while he or she does his or her work
	without drawing unnecessary attention. Wandering to and fro during the
	service is not permissible.

	It is important that the photographer is not negative about the videographer.
	Some photographers think that a videographer is in his or her way and they
	may not be prepared to cooperate. That can create unnecessary tension
	and then neither the photographs nor the DVD will be up to par. It is a good
	idea to ask both the photographer and the videographer’s opinion on how
	they can complement each other. Really professional photographers and
	videographers will not object to working together, because they realise that
	each can complement the other. Together, they can make the bridal
	couple’s wedding unforgettable.

	By paying attention to all these important aspects, the bridal couple can
	ensure that they will get an excellent DVD that they will enjoy watching for
	many years and that they can have a good laugh over together.

	If a picture is better than a thousand words, just think what a DVD can do!