Wedding Video Ideas - Do I really need a wedding video?

Some of you are out there in lockdown and you’ve decided to use all this spare time to finally plan your weddings. Which is great! We really are in unprecedented times and amongst all this postponing to hopefully a better time in the future, there are also those couples that are still getting engaged and still wanting to plan a wedding! Love doesn’t stop guys. 

So I’ve written this next blog all about whether a wedding video is actually worth having. I’ve just spend the afternoon on wedding forums looking at the opinions and it is very split, but lots of past brides are saying it was their biggest regret that they didn’t have one for their big day. I get asked a lot of questions about wedding videos, particularly at wedding fairs to my face. I’m standing there with a big smile on my face with my best work playing on my display and someone says to me, “but what’s the point?” or “I have an iPhone and a Gopro I’ll just have a mate do it.” Slowly that smile disappears. 

So, should you invest in a wedding videographer? 

From personal experience and from other wedding videographers from my support community, wedding videography is one of the last things a couple will decide to have for their big day. So, I’ve tried to answer some of the questions and statements as to why this is! 

Number 1 – Wedding videos are expensive.

This is probably the number one reason as to why a couple will not choose a wedding video. Lack of budget to allow them to book a professional to capture their day. I am planning my own wedding and budgeting is so important and something I can relate to, however budget priorities also go hand in hand. 

My number one priority was of course the venue and the catering. The very next thing I booked were the photographer and the videographer and I did this over a year in advance. Why? Because I knew who I wanted and I had to make sure they would be available on my date. My budget allows for these most important things because I have prioritised them and I have over a year to save up and get the money together, rather than waiting till the last minute and trying to find someone still available. If it’s something you think you want and you’re waiting for the budget to potentially open up closer to the time, you may be left disappointed. The saying “you get what you pay for” is unfortunately true especially in this instance. If you want an incredible hand-sewn designer dress, it’s going to cost or if you want a beautiful tiered wedding cake with hundreds of hand-made sugar flowers, it’s going to cost. Professional video is no different in terms of expertise, time and equipment..but more on this later! 

Number 2 – I hate being the centre of attention and don’t like the idea of a big video production following me around. 

This is one of the things someone said to my face at a wedding fair. The truth is, if you’re planning a wedding and you’re either a bride or a groom, you will be one half of the centre of attention! That’s just the way it is. I absolutely hate it too, but it’s not a reason as to why I wouldn’t book a videographer or a photographer. See the thing is, we are there to capture the entire day – not to follow you both around so you don’t get a moments peace! Sorry if that’s what you secretly wanted!! Personally, I am incredibly discreet and in many testimonials I’ve received, I get told I was barely noticeable. 

Back in the good old days, a videographer would turn up with a giant shoulder cam or place large video cameras on ginormous tripods and that would be their set up to capturing wedding days. But thankfully, we’ve moved up in the world and my camera fits snugly in one hand. 

I bring one camera bag that contains 2 small mirrorless cameras, 4 lenses and all my audio equipment to capture the vows and speeches. I’m a video ninja, and I run around capturing all the things you’re missing whilst you’re chatting away to Granny. I never stage anything and I capture the day as organically as possible. I use a monopod for most of the day as well as hand-held or using a gimbal (a small piece of equipment which steadies the camera to allow smooth movements) and one small tripod I use for the ceremony and speeches only. If you want to know more about my kit, get in touch! 

Number 3 – Surely we can film our wedding ourselves on an iPhone or GoPro?

This is a bit of a pet hate statement to me and I do find it a little insulting. Now of course you CAN film your wedding yourself and let’s face it, the quality of some of these devices are pretty good these days. But isn’t this the same as buying your own bits from B&Q and attempting to build your own furniture from scratch? Most of the time you wouldn’t do this because of the time, the stress and the fact the results won’t be that good, if you ever finish it. The same goes for videoing on your phone. Anyone can do it, but it’s going to be shaky, probably under or over exposed as it’ll be left on auto and by the end you’ll be left with lots of video clips that you probably don’t have the storage for and will end up deleting because it’s too stressful to even look at. 

It’s all about the training. A carpenter has been trained for years and they’ve developed their own style and perfected this over the years to be able to create amazing flawless pieces. The same goes for a wedding videographer or even a photographer. Not only is the equipment we use 100 times better and can perfectly expose a shot, but we also have a creative eye for the perfect shots and we know what looks good as well as using the correct settings to make the footage look awesome! Not just the filming, the editing too. The editing actually takes me longer than filming a wedding day. Every single wedding film is unique and “made-to-order” if you like. I only have an idea of the video edit after the wedding has taken place. Only when I get the feel of the wedding day and the couple’s personalities is when I can create their story and create all the emotion. That is what you can’t get from an iPhone. 

Finally, Number 4 – I have a photographer, I don’t need a videographer. 

I’m glad you have a photographer! Not having one would be weird right? Isn’t it funny how photography is normally a top priority, yet video is way near the bottom to some people? Photography is SO important. It’s the biggest day of your life, so you want it documented perfectly don’t you? Imagine also seeing your friends and family moving and speaking and seeing them crying or hearing them laughing. Video literally stops a moment in time and allows you to replay it for life. My sister got married back in 2015 and she chose to have her day filmed. There were people in that wedding video who are no longer with us and so it is something the whole family can treasure forever.

I offer both photography and videography packages, but my primary business is video. I know what it is like working on both ends of the industry and I think it is so important for a photographer and videographer to get along and work together. We are both there to do our job for the couple at the end of the day!

Those are just 4 big reasons people have given me in the past as to why they don’t want a videographer to capture their day, but there are of course a few more. No-one is forcing anyone to have something they don’t want, but let’s face it; you’re here reading this because you do want it, but you’re looking for reasons as to why you shouldn’t to save yourself some money right? 

The truth is, a wedding video is one of the only things you’ll have left after your wedding as well as the photos. You’ve got the most incredible dress, you have beautiful flowers surrounding your venue and the best band ever to play for your first dance. Your video will outlast all of these things. The gorgeous dress will get boxed away in the loft or sold on eBay, the flowers will unfortunately fade and die (unless you get them preserved which I personally want to look into!) and your band will pack up and go home leaving you with a few short memories in your mind to try to remember for years to come. There will be moments in your day that you’ll inevitably miss too. Not because of the wedding blur people talk about, but because you literally cannot be in 2 places at once. That’s what a videographer is there for. To be your eyes for you for when it is all over. 

So if you were asking yourself these 4 questions or similar at the start, have you changed your mind now? 

Wedding Video credits:

Venue – Northbrook Park

Photographer – Wayne Khan Photography

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