So you’ve decided that you want to hire a professional videographer for your wedding.  How exciting!  You’ve invested well with a wedding video that you will have as a treasured keepsake for years to come.  I’ve heard time and time again of how precious couple’s wedding videos are to them because not only does it recapture their day better and with more detail than photos ever could, but it also captures their family and friends- which we know will not always be around forever. 

So what’s the best way to ensure your video will look great?  Here’s a list of tips:

-Plan for lighting your reception well.
Dancing in the dark with Christmas lights all around may sound like a fun idea- but it won’t look well on video.  Insist with your DJ, or wedding consultant to have the main lights on for the key events- 1^st dance, daughter/father dance, son/mother dance, money dance, cake cutting, toasts, garter/bouquet toss, and for any other fun surprises that occur.

-Keep the audio interesting.
When you’re standing around getting ready and the cameras are rolling- try to talk to your bridesmaids around you.  Ex: “I wonder what he’s doing right now.  I bet he’s still at the house.” Interesting audio bits make perfect transitions for us when we edit to naturally cut to the house footage and will make your video more captivating.  Other audio ideas- talk about how you’re feeling right now.  Give advice to the camera- to your audience “It’s a good idea to always bring ___, as you can see why…” Incorporate some thank-you’s in your video.  “Aunt Jo helped to decorate, this room looks so beautiful- I am so thankful for her.”  Chances are she will be watching your video one of these days and will really appreciate hearing your thanks.  So in summary, don’t keep quiet or get camera shy, keep the conversation rolling you’ll have a great video to show for!

-Act naturally, pretend we’re not there.
Easier said than done, but it’s not necessary to put on a show- but do act natural.  Try not to look at the camera, and act as if we’re not there.  We’re trying to capture the events as they happen and we’re counting on you as our subjects to be yourselves.  Thankfully, this isn’t too hard to do since we do not use bright lights and we are unobtrusive and not in-your-face.

-Use a podium for the speeches & have your guest write out their speeches.
We recommend this STRONGLY.  In other words, do not pass around the microphone amongst the crowd.  During this sequence we will be on a tripod, and chances are we’re not going to get the speaker on film, because someone will be in the way- blocking that person.  And people in sitting in the crowd tend to be more lax in their speech- making it harder to pick up on the microphones.  Use a podium- encourage your family and guests to write out their speeches so the content will be great.  We love to hear speeches that start out funny but ultimately are sweet and sentimental at the end.  We also advise making sure that there are at least 4 speeches (2 from the brides side, and 2 from the grooms) This is one of our most important suggestions because the speech content is used for a large portion of your final video and the more there is the better!
I’d suggest printing out this article and giving it to your family before they make their speech.

-Do finishing touches at the ceremony location.
If we’re filming you getting ready and you’re rushing to get the ceremony, and we’re following you- this is a bad idea.  Don’t put your video in jeopardy by not being at the ceremony site on time.  We need to be there to set up and coordinate with other videographer, so we encourage you to do the finishing touches at the ceremony location- not at another place.

-Keep to your schedule.
We live by the itinerary of the day: getting ready, reception prep, pictures, ceremony, reception, etc.  If there location or time changes this will effect your video because we keep a tight schedule- we are trying to be everywhere at once, and a delay will set us back for the prep of the next portion of filming.  We ask for open communication on timing so we can work together to ensure your video will be great.
Can’t find us to tell us an important detail?  Tell your DJ or photographers!  We are always updating each other with the flow of the event.  For example when you let your announcer or DJ know when you’re making your grand enterance, tell them where you’ll be entering from- that way when we check in with them, we’ll know where to position our tripods for the best placement for your enterance. 

-Make a song list.
If your package includes a choice of music, please be aware of the importance for us to receive your song list ahead of your event.  If we can receive it at least 2 weeks prior, that will ensure us time to find/purchase the songs in order to have them ready for immediate editing.  We are a production company that edits to the music, not the other way around.
Helpful hints for making your song list:
The more songs the better!  Try to think of a couple songs in each suggested category:  Current hits, Love Songs, Smooth Jazz, Classic Jazz, Classical or Orchestral Arrangements (Ex: Movie soundtrack scores that you like.  Our pick: The Gladiator).  We love to edit your video with different themes, that take you on an emotional journey- from classy, to fun, to emotional, to reflective, and back to fun again.   We will always end your short-form video on a sweet melody with a recap montage.  Be sure to indicate songs that you might have a stronger prefrence for.
In recap, a song list of over 10-15 songs with multiple generes given to us before the wedding is very appreciated!

We will be adding to our tip page on a regular basis as more ideas come to mind.  Keep checking back in for more as your wedding date gets closer, this way your video will be sure to look its best!