Award-winning videographer and filmmaker Richard Finlay, from Bride & Groom Films, gives us exclusive tips to help couples choose the right videographer for the big day:
1-Sample
View sample DVDs. The work itself is the most important thing. You must like the work of the videographer. What could be more important than this?
Regarding the work itself: does it flow smoothly, like a film, or is there an amateurish quality to it? What is the framing and composition like? Is it shaky or steady? What are the colours like? Is the bride’s dress supposed to be orange? 
Are there excessive pans and zooms that take you out of the experience?
2-Get a professional
Your friends and relatives are NOT professional videographers. This blunt sentence will save you heartbreak in the future.
3-Testimonials
Do you get the feeling that the videographer is a professional with a good reputation? Can you view a website with testimonials before requesting a sample DVD?
4-Price
Price may or may not be important to you, BUT are you going to feel better about saving that few hundred euros in ten years’ time when you are stuck with an embarrassing wedding video?
5-Will the videographer you book actually be the person shooting your wedding video?
Ask who will be shooting and editing your wedding video. After all, if you like someone’s work based on a sample DVD, it’s not much good if the videographer’s cameraman-for-hire straight out of college turns up.
6-Communication
If you have a vision of what you want your wedding video to be, make sure you communicate that to the videographer BEFORE your wedding. The day only happens once! There’s no second takes.
7-Book in advance
If you know the videographer you want, book as soon as possible, or he/she WILL be booked by the time you get back to them. The good ones book up very far in advance.
8-Wireless
Any reputable videographer will use wireless microphones for the ceremony, speeches and dancing. It is important to hear things properly.
9-Unobtrusive videos
Every videographer will say they are unobtrusive. Take a look at their samples. Do they run around people with the camera on the dance floor? Will they be a distraction in the church? There is no way to know for sure unless you phone or e-mail them and have a chat about how they work under such circumstances.
10-Back-up
Make sure your wedding videographer has back-up equipment in case something goes wrong. Remember, there’s no second takes!
11- Graphics and Music
Some people think that they want flashy graphics and titles, but these can date very quickly. If music for your video is important to you, ask your videographer about the options available. After a visit to the videographer’s website, and if you look carefully, all of your questions should be answered there.
12- Last quick tips to couples
Ask your priest to use a microphone during the speeches, not only so people in the church can hear the vows, but that you also get better sound on your video. During your rehearsal ask your priest to bring you up behind the altar when lighting the candles, so you can face your guests in the church AND the videographer and photographer.
Other than this: if you are sure that you have chosen a professional wedding videographer whose work you like and who you are confident in, then there is no reason to worry. Enjoy your day and leave the capturing of your wedding memories in the hands of competent professionals. You will get what you pay for…in most cases.
For more information, you can visit www.brideandgroom.ie
Tags: Bride & Groom Video, camera, Films, sound, top tips, Videography
The book in advance, how far would you recommend, as when I tried inquiring last year I was told to come back next year. I wont be going with the guy that told me that anyway.
Never thought in the bit about sound, thanks
Is it possible to get just a video of the church part?
Fantastic article Richard, I could have written it myself!
Wud a vid guy really hav backup equipment in dis day though? Neva thot to ask dis.
Only seeing these replies now.
‘b2b2011′ wrote: “The book in advance, how far would you recommend, as when I tried inquiring last year I was told to come back next year. I wont be going with the guy that told me that anyway.”
I would book any wedding service as soon as you can. If you leave things too long, it can cause disappointment later on when you go back to the person to make a booking, only to find that your date is no longer available. Most videographers and photographers work alone, and obviously can only shoot one wedding per date.
In the case of the videographer who told you to come back the following year: he may have good reasons for doing that. Perhaps he’s not sure if he’ll be in the country at that time. Maybe he’s thinking of booking a holiday around that date, and doesn’t want to commit just yet. Maybe he’s just not comfortable with taking bookings that far in advance. He may not be full-time, and therefore doesn’t depend solely on income from weddings.
If your heart is set on booking that videographer (that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore), then wait a year and go for it. He may not have the date available when you get back to him though! So I’d go looking right now for someone else.
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‘Helen O’ wrote: “Never thought in the bit about sound, thanks”
The filmmaker David Lynch said that sound is 60% of a film. “Sound is 60 percent of the emotional content of a film”.
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‘March-Bride’ wrote: “Is it possible to get just a video of the church part?”
Some videographers offer ceremony-only coverage, yes. Even the videographers who don’t advertise ceremony-only packages would, I’m sure, oblige you. If you’re interested in booking a videographer, get in touch with me.
info@brideandgroom.ie
086-3704098
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‘Keith Malone’ wrote: “Fantastic article Richard, I could have written it myself!”
Thanks. My number one fan.
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‘Sandra Q’ wrote: “Wud a vid guy really hav backup equipment in dis day though? Neva thot to ask dis.”
I seriously wouldn’t hire a wedding videographer who doesn’t carry back-up equipment on the day of a wedding. It’s just not worth the risk or the heartbreak if something went wrong. This rule holds even more true if you’re paying a professional rate. Why would you pay a professional rate unless you’re getting a professional service?
I have two or three cameras with me on a wedding day, several microphones, batteries, memory cards, hard drives (for back-ups), a back-up ladder, various other camera accessories, you name it.
Better safe than sorry!
Maintain up the great work mate.