Top 10 Serious Questions to Ask Your Videographer

February 22, 2010

I talk to brides all the time. They ask the basic questions: how long will the videographer be there, how many videographers are there, how much does it cost, but they don’t really know what they need to ask their videographer. And why should they? Its not like they’ve had to hire a wedding videographer before. I want to give you some things that you need to talk about before you hire your videographer.

This is round one, I’m sure there are dozens of other tough questions to ask. I’ll post some follow up questions on another day.

10. How long have you been a wedding videographer?

This may seem like a basic question, but I am rarely asked it. Granted, we have an in depth “About Us” page on the website, but this is key. Wedding videographers seem to be popping up faster than coffee shops these days and you want to have someone creating your video that at least has some experience.

9. Do you charge a travel fee?

Make sure you find out if your wedding videographer is going to charge a travel fee and if so, how much. Make sure that it is stated on the contract before you sign it.

Speaking of contracts:

8. Can I sign a contract?

Signing contracts might seem like it is something that only protects your wedding vendors. This should not be the case. A well written contract is designed to protect both parties. In fact, if a contract outrageously favors one party, it may not hold up in the court of law.

7. What video formats will my wedding video be delivered on?

Just today I was looking at a local wedding videographer’s website and noticed that they still provide their wedding videos on VHS tape. I don’t know about you, but most of my friends haven’t had a VCR in 10 years. Make sure that they’ll deliver your video on DVD at least. You may also want to see if your videographer can deliver your wedding video on Blu-ray (so that you won’t have to have it updated later) and on the internet (to make it easy to show friends and family).

6. How much does it cost for extra copies of my wedding video?

I’ve seen wedding videographers charging upwards of $30 for every extra DVD copy. To me this is outrageous, I’m not in the business of selling DVDs. I sell my services as a wedding filmmaker, DVD copies are just the medium that I deliver them on.

5. How long will it take to deliver my final wedding video?

This should be discussed in the contract you sign with your wedding videographer (hint, hint!).   Realistically, anywhere from 3-6 months is an acceptable turnaround time for a wedding video, depending on how busy they are. If your videographer is promising to have the full length video finished 2 or 3 weeks after the wedding (barring a large extra price for quick turn around), then you should ask yourself why they won’t be spending more time to make sure everything is perfect. Anymore than 6 months and well, you should start sending out the bounty hunters to find your videographer.

4. Who will be my wedding videographer?

Now this may seem like a basic question, but I hardly ever get it. Maybe they just assume that the person they are talking to on the phone will be their videographer. Don’t assume anything. Always ask and find out who it is.

3. Do you talk to my other vendors before the wedding?

There is a long time rivalry between photographers and videographers. Who’s jealous of who? I don’t really know. A simple call to your photographer can open the lines of communication and make the way for a smooth wedding day for you. You also might want to make sure your videographer is going to call your DJ, unless you want the beautiful words of your toasts sounding like a muffled record player with a sheet over it.

2. Why are you a wedding videographer?

Wedding videographers are one of the vendors that needs to fit your personality well. You don’t want to find out that your videographer got into wedding videos because he needs to make a quick buck (obviously he doesn’t know anything about being a wedding videographer because we aren’t exactly living in mansions and buying yachts). You want to find someone that is passionate about what they do and just cares about your wedding specifically. They should be fun and someone that you get along with well; you’ll be spending 8 or more hours in a day with them, after all.

And the number one most important thing you need to ask your wedding videographer is:

1. Can I see recent samples videos of your work.

Let me repeat that, its so important: Can I see recent sample videos of your work.  No, the most important question is not how much do you cost…. You should be able to tell the cost of a wedding videographer just by looking at his sample videos.

Is the footage shaky? Can you hear the dialogue? Is the picture sharp? Are the colors bright? Are the bridesmaids’ heads cut off? Are there candid moments that would have otherwise been lost?

If you want to risk having a low quality video that misses important parts of your day then book a cheap videographer. If you want a wedding video that looks professional and is something that you’ll actually watch over and over again, is there really a price that you can put on those memories?

Top 10 Reasons You’ll Cry While You Watch Your Wedding Film

February 5, 2010

The Top 10 Reasons Are:

10. You’ll hear the whisper of each of your vows again and see the tears run down your cheek.

9. You’ll see yourself walking down the aisle with your dad as he prepares to give away his little girl.

8. You’ll see the look on your husband’s face as he sees you for the first time at your wedding.

7. You’ll see your ring bearer and flower girl walk down the aisle in their adorable, little suit and dress.

6. You’ll hear the memorable (and occasionally embarrassing, but always touching) stories told by your maid of honor and his best man.

5. You’ll see the look in his eyes as you dance for the first time as husband and wife.

4. You’ll see the pride on your father’s face as he dances with you.

3. You’ll see those older relatives that traveled from far away to be at your wedding.

2. You’ll feel the same emotions that were present as you watch yourselves kiss for the first time as husband and wife.

And the number 1 reason that you’ll cry while watching your wedding film is:

You’ll hear both you and your husband say those two words again: “I do.”

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But you won’t have any of these memories without a wedding video.

Call 303.726.3510 today for more information.