Don’t Compromise
Do not hire the cheapest videographer or use a friend of your mother’s boss simply because you feel obligated or because they have offered you a good deal. You will watch this wedding video for years to come, in good times and bad, and you never want to let your choice of videographer detract from the tone and value of the occasion. When choosing the company to do your video, do not rely simply on their demo reel, as this gives little indication to their manner and appearance at the actual wedding. Ask for a list of contactable references and follow through with these.

Preparation
To ensure that the videographer knows exactly what to do and when, make sure that he or she has someone to whom they can turn with questions or requests. This can be the Maid of Honour, bridesmaids, Best Man or you. This person should know you well, as a couple, and should be able to advise the cameraman of which guests to capture on film if it is not possible to get everyone in.

It is imperative that the videographer attend all rehearsals so that they can make the necessary preparations for specific lighting requirements and possible spatial challenges.

Footage Before the Ceremony
Tell the story of how you met and what you are like as a couple by doing a short pre-wedding intro video. This can be a quirky spoof of how you met, or a more accurate, sweet rendition of the event. This reminds you, but also tells your special tale to your family and friends, who may not know the background. Narration, signboards and cute text screens between shots can tell the story in a shorter space of time.

Let the videographer in on the preparations of you, the bridal couple, and your entourage. Getting a sneak peek into how your partner was feeling and acting before the big moment is a unique opportunity.

At the Ceremony
It creates a realistic, first-hand account when the videographer captures the ‘behind-the-scenes’ shots of the ceremony (and, for that matter, reception). These may include the musicians tuning their instruments, the decorators adding their final touches and the guests waiting in anticipation. If there are certain aspects of the ceremony that are especially important to be captured on film, tell your videographer well ahead of time so that these are not missed.

At the Reception
Encourage your videographer to interact with guests by getting onto the dance floor with them, standing on tables to get group shots, doing whatever he or she has to do to get great footage. The MC may need to make an announcement that requests that guests cooperate with the videographer, but they are generally quite keen to get in on the action when there is a camera around. Of course, the feelings of shy guests need to be respected and it would be inappropriate to force anyone into being on camera.

What has become quite popular and special is to have a clip of each wedding guest or couple saying something personal to the bride and groom. The cameraman can go to each table and request these, or the guests can be asked to approach the cameraman when they are ready.

Once the footage has been captured, edited and collated into a storyline, it is best to leave it with as few special effects as possible. It may be a good idea to have a highlights reel, music and one or two quotes or textual pieces of information but the original footage is usually more meaningful and special without the frills. The most important thing is that your video conveys to you and the friends and family with whom you choose to share it how special and wonderful your wedding day was.

Here are a few thoughts from our 14 odd years of creating these dreams on video:

• Personality plays a very important role in the success of the Video, the couple must be comfortable in their company. Some videographers offer a pre-shoot, so if either of you are shy and tense before the camera, ask if you feel you need this. (It does give us an opportunity to get to know you better).
• Is there one person, or a team of two? One person cannot be in two places at the same time, therefore he/she inevitably will miss some parts of the Wedding. Two or more people will be able to shoot all the action,and record a full flowing story of your day.
• It is important to have a woman involved, as they invariably will pay more attention to minute detail, and the Bride will certainly be more comfortable during the dressing.
• Make an appointment, to visit their studio, and if possible get them to show you a DVD of a wedding at your venue. If that is not possible view something similar, not a highlights package, but a copy of what the bride got.
• View as many as you like, and check for sound quality, especially an outside wedding. Check the quality and clarity of the picture, and of the editing, is it smooth and flowing, or do the scene changes jolt you? Are people wandering about in front of the camera, e.g. the photographer, or have they been covered with suitably appropriate inserts? Does the picture continually zoom in and out, and are the subjects framed correctly (Rule of Thirds)?
• Enquire what equipment they use for filming and editing. Is it up to date?
• Are they professional in their demeanor, and unrattled when things go awry? Are they prepared to go the extra mile to create a first class production? Are they unobtrusive or do they take over the proceedings?
• Do they use excessive lighting in the Church and/or Reception? Get references if you are at all unsure.
• Do the people you hire actually do the filming and editing, or do they subcontract any of it out?
• Ask how long after the wedding will the before the final Video will be ready.
• Do they have competent backup in the event of illness or incapacity?
• Remember you need to include them at your reception, with a place to sit, and importantly, from where they can see the action. As they will be with you and concentrating for about ten hours, something to eat and drink is essential for their well being.
• Remember, we usually have only one chance to get it right. “Kykweers” (retakes) are invariably disruptive. Experienced Videographers will make the best out of any given situation, not panic, and coolly proceed to do an excellent job for you, the Bridal Couple.
• Are they accredited by any reputable organization such as the Digital Video Association of South Africa? You can check this at www.dvasa.org. This is like an “SABS” (Bureau of Standards) of Videography, and has a strict Code of Conduct guaranteeing a high degree of professionalism, as the accreditation criteria are very stringent.
• The DVASA will also arbitrate in the unlikely event of any dispute.
• Enquire whether they have a top notch Photographer with whom they work often and have a rapport. Remember that the Videographers and the Photographer must work together as a TEAM, and will never recommend a Photographer who is incompetent, jumps around, and is obtrusive. Competent Videographers will however work with most Photographers, and bear in mind that the more inventive and imaginative the Photographer is, the more exciting the Video will be.
• You cannot book your Videographer & Photographer too early, so, once you have selected the TEAM you want, pay your deposit, thereby booking them, and take the Video and Photographs off your worry list!