Guest Interviews...yay or nay?

My FSIL had this done at her baby shower. Not everyone liked it.

We had that done at our first wedding years ago. It's totally worth it! Since weddings are so busy and go by so quickly, it was nice to capture a moment with my family and closest friends leaving a message for us. My father and my grandparents have all passed since then, but I have them on video talking to me. Some people simply said "congrats and good luck" and some people had some beautiful insights to share about love and marriage. Tell the videographer to ask the table before filming so they have a minute to collect their thoughts. Usually people will want to participate once they see others doing it. Even if one or two people decline, most will want to do it, and it's worth the memories.

We all did it at my uncle's wedding - maybe just closer family/friends?

I think it's cute, and if the videographer asks nicely, and like it's optional, I don't see how it'd annoy anyone. They can just say no if they don't want to. I've done these at weddings before and I personally liked knowing the couple would get my message even if we only got a few minutes together at the wedding!

My aunts videographer did a couple and added them to the end of the highlight video (like in the credits) she loved it. It was her favorite part. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was unexpected.

I hate those things! Having someone stick a microphone in my face and expecting me to say something appropriate with no notice is my idea of hell.

From a guest viewpoint, I would hate since I don't know what to say when put on the spot. From my viewpoint, I would love to have some words to look at later. So I'm really torn here.

I had it done at my wedding, I didn't hear any complaints but then again, I don't think if someone didn't like it they'd actually tell me. We haven't gotten our video back yet but I'm really excited to see it. Think of it like a video guest book, it'll be nice to see what people look like for years to come. They asked guests to say things while waiting for the fireworks to go off so it was perfect to give them something to do. It's voluntary if anyone wants to say anything, and people might have had enough at cocktail hour to say a few words. I think it could be really special!

As I guest, I hate it. As a bride, I would cherish it. It's hard to say.

If I was a guest, I'd throat punch someone who stuck a camera and microphone in my face. I'm very anti being on video.

I don't even think I'd like it as a bride... too much potential to be awkward.

Not a fan, myself. I get that people who don't want to do it can refuse, but I don't want to be bothered with that kind of stuff. And from the "bride's" perspective, I wouldn't care enough to watch it again and again. My crowd isn't goofy or enjoy being outgoing and on camera, so it would have been a loop of people akwardly saying the same thing. If you're in a group of people who enjoy performing and are outgoing in that way, the might like it and it might turn out pretty cool.

Meh. i think there's too much potential for embarrassment. not to mention, from the guests point of view, i'm shy and don't really like being put on the spot so i wouldn't like it. i'd probably end up sounding stupid and saying something just as stupid. so... idk.

I'd only consider it with someone very animated. Other than that, it could be awkward.

I videoed and am editing two friends weddings as their wedding gifts. At one wedding I did this just with the bridal party and parents. About 75% of people were ok with it if I let them do it in groups. At the other wedding I tried to do parents and close family friends and had some people turn me down. Personally as a guest I'm not a fan, but I do agree as a bride I would like it. When I edited my brothers reception footage there was a video of my grandmother who has since passed, so it's an amazing thing from that viewpoint as Lyn said.

I think it's a good idea, but only if the videographer asks the guests prior to filming them for their interview. Not everyone likes the idea of being in front of a camera, and that should be respected.

Yeah mine was optional to people, a lot of my friends are outgoing people. During my bachelorette party we had this thing where a couple of us got to dare a couple others to do something, our dare was that they had to do a musical tribute to me and my DH on our wedding video. I haven't seen it yet, but I heard it was hilarious, I can't wait to get my video back to see that. I think if it's after some drinks, people are feeling a little goofy and relaxed it'll be okay. And yes, the videographer definitely asked people first it wasn't like they just shoved a microphone at them and made them talk for five minutes. If I was asked to do that, I'm not particularly creative but I'd have fun with it as long as I was with someone I knew and not on my own.

Nope. I had one experience with this, at my friend's wedding. The videographer was pushy, and we were eating one of our courses. He stuck his camera in my father's face (he's disabled by the way, so struggles with everything), and was rude, in trying to get a response. He labelled him a name - not a curse word - and my mother was furious. She would have liked to have taken his cane and smacked the videographer over the head with it. 2 years later and the incident still makes her furious, because my Dad was picked on.

P.S. We're not the type of family who likes our photos/video taken a lot. My sister and I both had unplugged ceremonies.

At my cousin's wedfing, the videographer came to our table mid-meal and mid-conversation, interrupted to ask what we'd like to say to the bride and groom. We were kind of annoyed. But later we saw the videographer ask the groom what he would like to say, and he was so cute and funny. I have always been hoping his interview made it into the final video.

I don't think I'd enjoy getting interviewed, but some friends of ours had it done at their wedding. We've seen the video and it did result in some really funny and some really sweet moments.

I just think it's awkward all around. Awkward to do and awkward to watch.