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What’s the biggest regret we hear from our Milwaukee Wedding Couples after their wedding? “We wish we had invested in a professional videographer!” Whether it wasn’t deemed important before the wedding or you ask friends to cover this task, nothing compares to investing in a high quality wedding video for your day, letting you revisit the sights and sounds for years to come. These memories in motion are priceless, so plan to spend the time and money necessary to do it right. In short: hire a local video wedding professional.
Offering creativity and quality – Professional videographers
Wedding videos have dramatically improved in recent years. Professional wedding videographers have the talent, technology, and time necessary to create videos with outstanding quality (think: clear audio, crisp visuals along with sharp editing). A good wedding videographer will remain inconspicuous throughout the day while capturing intimate, uninhibited moments of your guests and of course, the two of you. You’ll see every laugh, tear, and even the “bloopers” if you want them — everything from the rustle of your bridal gown to the choked-up tone in your dad’s champagne toast.
How to choose a Videographer
When researching professional videographers in SE Wisconsin, visit their websites and view a sample video. Just like photographers, each videographer has a style — make sure you share a similar vibe and vision. Make sure the samples you view meet your expectations in terms of video quality and detail.
We asked Ricchio Productions and JC Designs to come up with a checklist for evaluating sample wedding videos. Things to consider include the clarity and stability of the picture, as well as the videographer’s ability to smoothly edit and transition the material. Another thing to keep in mind: audio. Knowledge of remote microphones and where to position them is key — a good videographer will have this under control. Yes, there’s a lot to consider, so let’s break it down with a video evaluation checklist for quick reference:
Evaluate sample Video’s. Here’s How
Evaluate the picture quality:
Is it consistently clear and in focus or shady and blurry? Are there dead spots? Is the lighting good? Does it move from one scene to another smoothly?
Evaluate the sound quality:
During the all important ceremony, can you hear everyone clearly? Are the toasts at the reception easy to hear? Is the volume of the music appropriate? Is the ambient and crowd noise controlled?
Evaluate the overall effect:
Is the video just the right length and entertaining? Does it trigger emotions? Does the final product look like a professional created it?
What’s the Cost? Budgeting for a professional
A wedding professional videographer will spend anywhere from four to 12 hours with you on your wedding day plus another 35 to 55 hours editing your wedding video, adding graphics, music, and other special effects. You should expect to spend an amount similar to your photography budget. When you have made your selection of wedding videographer, make sure you read the contract and understand the ins and outs of specific costs.
Post-wedding Video Fun
There’s a new post-wedding bridal trend that would be perfect film fodder — it’s called “trash the dress.” Also known as “fearless bridal” or “rock the frock,” this is a style of wedding photography and videography that juxtaposes an elegant bridal gown against an entirely out-of-place environment. What kind of environments? Try a soggy beach, muddy riverbank, or paintballing war zone. The bride then, as evidenced by the trend’s name, trashes her dress on camera, succumbing to the elements and ruining the gown. But proceed with caution! Be careful when attempting a video shoot near water. Best to “rock the frock” on dry land.
Another fun way to play with your video post-wedding is to host a viewing party. Invite close friends and family into your home as husband and wife and relive the day that “went so fast.” Who knows? You might even have some leftover cake and champagne to serve.
“Why should I” Some final words
We all know the obvious reason to invest in a wedding video: you’ll have it forever to view as a couple. But so will those guests who couldn’t make it to the celebration. Having a video to share with family and friends who weren’t present on your wedding day will be a wonderful treat for them. And for every aging family member who not only made it to the ceremony but also to the dance floor, those memories (and dance moves) will be preserved forever. Finally, at the risk of jumping the gun, do it for the future kids. They’ll love watching “The Day We Got Hitched” time and again just as much as you will.
Categorized in: Advice & Planning, Videography