Should I Have A Wedding Videographer?
Should I have a wedding videographer…?
It’s a hugely common question I hear online and it’s even a question we asked ourselves during our own wedding planning! Will we even watch it? Should we save some money and get a friend to do it? Is it even worth it…?
Being a wedding videographer and all that, I could be seen as being kinda biased now. But I totally get the attraction of considering ‘cheaper’ options or even easier ones if you’re unsure on having one in the first place!
If you’ve read my ‘About Me’ page you’ll read that we nearly didn’t have a wedding video for our Wirral wedding back in 2009 as my Husband really didn’t see the point either!
Why I Nearly Didn’t Get A Wedding Video – and What I Learnt From Having One!
I thought my own experience as a Bride planning my wedding to share an insight into what I’ve learnt from all that overthinking during the planning stages! Why did we eventually chose to have our wedding ‘videoed’ and are we happy about that decision all these years on…?
A Video Helped Me Remember MORE Of The Wedding Day
I remember SO much from my wedding, even though it was way back in 2009. I personally feel that is all thanks to our wedding video (above) and being able to relive so many moments from the day.
Even the very next day, many parts of the day felt so blurry and I was desperate to fill in the gaps with stories and photos from my friends and family. But nothing brought it all back like our wedding video!
The one thing that I would put high up there in my ‘best decision ever made’ list (after marrying my wonderful Husband) would be our wedding DVD. We now have an amazing wedding video we truly treasure for years to come and can share these memories with our children now too!
Our Wedding Video Was The Best Decision We Made!
Like so many couples it wasn’t on our list of priorities and it was only during the whirlwind of last minute preparations that I began to look in to the idea. You can read real words of wisdom from past couples over on my ‘Kind Words’ page!
Many of them went on to agree with us after the wedding day, having a wedding video really was the best decision we made!
Most people don’t realise how valuable they (videos) are after the day to be able to watch them back. Also I think a lot of people think it’s like old school videos all in one film without music or editing.
It wasn’t until my mum sort of pushed us into looking into it that we found you I’m relieved we spent money on a good videographer and photographer, it’s only after you realise that once the day is done these and memories are all that’s left. We’ve both said that the money that went on these two was the money best spent.
Reliving Family Memories Through Video
I have been a huge fan of films and video since back in the day when I got a taste for Hollywood classics like Singin’ in the Rain at my Nana’s but more importantly it’s my love for the home movie that really gets my excited!
Who doesn’t love finding old video clips of themselves, family and/ or friends? It can literally stop you in your tracks and you’ll become fully immersed in reliving that moment in the video!
Can you imagine You’ve Been Framed being half as funny if it was just a collection of photographs? Did I just give away my age sharing that? Haha
I found a stack of VHS tapes when my Dad passed away, some of me dancing, singing and even some of my Mum horse riding, and it really ignited that passion for video once more.
A photo can be great for you to look back on but the old home movies really took me back to that moment. Even to that very moment I was giggling with my friends and dancing to the Spice Girls. Yes, I said it, I am a HUGE Spice Girls fan, don’t let that put you off! Anyway, where was I…?
*If only I could find a video of this…*
Bringing Our Favourite Moments Back To Life With Video
After every wedding my couples all share similar words about how much they love their wedding video. It’s never about how they looked or seeing themselves but seeing their family and friends, and their new Husband or Wife!
It’s the friendships shown off on the wedding morning. The happy tears shed and the big bear hugs from your bestest friend.
It’s the nerves and excitement before you walk down the aisle.
All the genuine looks of love caught when no-one realised they were being filmed.
And people being themselves throwing the best shapes on the dancefloor.
Watching everything back on my own wedding video, even now, makes me smile. Even though at first I worried I may cringe watching myself back!
Because it’s the silliness and the ‘real’ moments we go on to treasure after the wedding. They’re the moments our own kids who aren’t even here yet will love watching. And when they’re much older it’s a reminder of how cool you really were, despite what they think haha.
When A Passion For Video Turns Into A Wedding Business Idea…
Although business wasn’t the plan on the day I pestered my poor Husband to be that we NEEDED a wedding video, it all sort of fell in to place as I started editing all the footage and I haven’t looked back since! I remember how proud Lee was when I showed him my final cut of our wedding highlights and I remember all the happy tears from the Parents when we went round to show it off to them.
The best reaction came from our screening (yes, we went all out) when our friends huddled on our couches and watched not only our Highlights and Feature but also our Outtakes. Some of the things caught on camera were hilarious and will forever keep us all entertained!
If you look at our work now you will see how our style has evolved and how I love adding personality to each wedding video.
Professional Wedding Video VS Asking A Friend To Film Instead
I hope it also shows you how good a professional wedding video can be. I know wedding budgets can easily spiral and it’s not for everyone investing in their wedding photography, never mind videography, but it’s worth looking to a pro to capture your day in a way that no one else can.
I have an Uncle Bob and although it’s lovely watching those wobbly home movies, I didn’t fancy a wedding film that contained mainly out takes or the focus being on his close family and no one else!
You’ll be surprised how much pressure is on to get every key shot and in all honesty I wouldn’t want to put one of my guests through that. I’ve seen and heard about too many fall outs over bad wedding photos and/ or video (read Rock n Roll Bride’s post here for the perfect example).
I’m hoping that writing this will help you see that it’s not always a sales pitch when you’re told that the day will pass by so quickly.
Trust me, I’ve heard them all and that’s even after being married 2 years! When it comes to the actual day becoming a blur, they’re telling the truth. Lee’s pocket watch even stopped during the day and we lost a few hours, we couldn’t believe how fast it had actually gone!
Learn From Other Couples Mistakes – Don’t Go On To Regret Not Having Your Wedding Filmed!
The sad fact is that wedding videography is high up on the list of regrets for couples. Many feel they can’t fit a wedding videographer into their budget, have a partner who hates the idea (been there) OR they won’t actually watch one if they do book one.
I’m so glad I was so passionate about the subject and got that across to Lee otherwise we too would have been one of those disappointed couples.
If it’s something you’ve instantly dismissed I would really reconsider. Although there are some of the more ‘traditional’ styles out there, wedding videos are now ‘cool’ again. A lot of companies, including ourselves, are all about capturing the day as it happens. In a sort of documentary style, as if we were a wedding guest silently observing your day. That’s how we create films that really bring the day back to life and have more of a personal feel.
You can even get more of a cinematic approach that proved popular in the US! I can’t imagine spending all that time planning a wedding, booking an amazing band (or dance group in our case), and really having the best day of your life and then not having something to capture all that fun!
Wedding video/ wedding film/ wedding cinema, whatever you’d like to call it, it’s a worthwhile investment as it’s something that will be there for you to enjoy after the wedding and it’s the only way to really bring back those amazing emotions you had on the day.
Your Wedding Video – A Lasting Family Legacy
I’ll be honest, it’s not like I watch ours every day. I may have done when I was having the post wedding blues but for now it’s just a nice little recap whenever I feel I’d like to be taken back to my wedding day. It’s also come back in favour now we have children who LOVE watching it all back (especially seeing Daddy cry!)
We may not watch it every day, or every week for that matter, but who even does that with their wedding album or home videos? We capture these big family events because we want to look back on them fondly in years to come, to remember the people there as much as remember what we were like as a couple.
It’s something that I will treasure for a lifetime, something I want to show off to the children and hopefully even my Grandchildren, to show what an amazing day we had and how wonderful it was to share it with our family and friends. We may have had to say goodbye to people along the way but they will forever by in our hearts and in our wedding film.
For me, all these years on I still get goose bumps and happy tears watching my own DVD. I’m happy to say that the films I’ve made for other couples have that same effect and that’s exactly why I started Love Gets Sweeter! You only have to read their glowing testimonials to see for yourself!
A Personal Take On Having A Wedding Video
Above is just my honest and personal opinion on the whole wedding video subject. I’m sure you’ve had a lot of opinions since you announced your engagement but I hope this has been informative and will help you make the right decision for you.
I’m easily excited by the subject which explains all the detail above!! If you decide you should start looking in to videographers (yey!) then look for someone with a style you love. If you’re blubbing at a complete strangers wedding video then I’d take that as a very good sign!
Then meet up with them and see if they’re as passionate about your wedding as you are. If someone is still excited by weddings and produces films that are unique and personal every time, if they are friendly and approachable and you feel comfortable with them then they’re right for you.
But be quick, the power of wedding films is catching on so the good ones get booked up….fast!
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Videographer
Don’t know where to start? Try wedding shows or even Bridebook as a good starting point.
It’s not just me that feels so strongly about wedding videography being a ‘must have’. Here are a few bloggers that have already discussed the subject…
Bridal Musings – Why Hire a Wedding Videographer
Wed in London – Wedding Videography
Wedding Window – Wedding Video, Will You Watch It?
An American Videographers Opinion – Choosing a Wedding Videographer
And an interesting one that goes for both photography and videography from Rock n Roll Bride – Should I Book A Professional Photographer Or Get A Friend To Do It For Free?
And want to see if my wedding video’s make you get a little emotional…? Head over to my Portfolio page and have a watch!
Or to check my availability for your wedding get in touch now!