Recruiting a guest to videotape?

Well, we didn't really recruit someone--she volunteered, as her gift to us. She had her own equipment, and she's a talented amateur, so she was able to edit it, add captions, etc. We love what she came up with! It's clearly not a professional video, but it allows us to see again what happened at the ceremony, which is what was important to us.

I guess it really depends on your guests and what they already have. You could always rent equipment and have someone do it if you want something a little more professional. You have to see who would be willing to do it, and what they are comfortable working with. I am going to a friend's wedding next month and she asked me to just bring my digital video camera to record the ceremony and the dances/speeches. She just wants to have the really important things on video.

Good luck!

Have you checked out services like

Wed It - http://www.wedit.com/

or Shot Clip http://www.shotclip.com/

They are slightly different, but similar ideas. Wedit allows you to rent Flip cams from them and you ask people to film from different perspectives (maybe 1 to a BM, 1 to a GM for getting ready shots, one to a trusted family member, etc) and then you send the cameras back and they upload and save all the data for you and allow you to edit it on their site.

Shot Clip allows you to have a few different people (depending on the size membership you go with) who will tape on their smart phones and then edit all the clips together into a wedding movie.

I know it sounds weird, but iphones have REALLY great cameras and you will get a beautiful wedding video with either service.

As for asking people, I've been told that people really get into being involved in that way - so just ask a techy friend and I am sure they would be happy to help.

We are opting for this as well. We have two cameras capable of HD video. So we are going to set one on a tripod and have a friend use the other for different angles. Pro-video just wasn't in the budget for us either...but with both cameras we should get some decent footage, and I can edit it together myself =)

One thing to remember is the audio. Audio is at least 50% of video. Most of these options will not capture very good audio and in the case of the Flip camera idea, not even good video if its too dark. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, because having some video is better than not having any, but what are other areas of your budget that you could trim to get a professional video? Photos and Video will be the only thing you have left to remember your day by and should be budgeted properly, then everything else fits in where it can.

Of course that is my opinion.

Good luck with whatever you chose, but when you factor the cost of a professional video over the course of your lifetime, it really is pretty affordable.

We are having a "techy" family friend video our wedding, & he's very excited that we asked him. He videoed my brother's wedding 6 yrs ago & it turned out just fine. If you & the officiant have a microphone, the camera will pick up the audio just fine. If not, see if the videographer can sit near the front with a camera on a tripod in the aisle (close to the chairs), or off to the side, but near the front (a friend did this for her wedding last year & it also turned out fine). Either way, make sure to have a tripod - shaky videos aren't cool unless you're going for the "Blair Witch" style.

Our friend has his own equipment, & would prefer to use it even if we had our own. If the person you're asking has their own, let them choose to use their camera or yours (unless one is obviously better than the other). I'm sure whoever you ask will be flattered you are including them in your day! Good luck!

Well spending $1500-$6000 is really too much............Why not you try Davids Bridals for videography............They really offer some reasonable price for 4 to 8 hours according to your requirements............And as far as recruiting any guests for this......I don’t think its a good idea..........But it depend upon your relation with that person also...........What will you offer him or her would be a question to think........I would suggest you to search some professionals who fits within your budget.........