The wedding of your dreams involves a lot of work. From the guest list to the goody bags, there’s a lot to consider as you begin planning for the special day. But as you work down your checklist, remember how gratifying it will be to you and your significant other to have a tangible memory of your wedding that you can share with friends and family, and with each other.
A high-quality wedding video is probably the best way to capture the essence of your wedding day in a form that will always be accessible to you. For that reason alone, choosing the right wedding videographer should be an essential part of your wedding preparation. The right wedding video editing professionals can help you create the tangible memory you desire. Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your wedding video.
Prioritize the process
It’s easy to be overwhelmed with all the details of wedding preparation and let important items, like choosing the right wedding video editing professionals slide down the list. Remember, the best wedding videographers will be in demand during the popular wedding seasons, so start doing your research early. Get online and begin creating a list of local videographers, and be sure to collect plenty of business cards when you hit the bridal fair circuit.
This is also a good time to start budgeting for the wedding video you’d like to have. You’ll notice a wide variety of price ranges charged by wedding video editing professionals. Dive into the details and see what each is offering for the price they charge.
Do your research
Putting together a list of potential videographers is a great first step. But even a quick examination of their work will make it obvious that there are a lot of different styles of wedding videos. That’s where your taste and judgement comes into play. Take the time to look at the wedding video samples posted by wedding video editing professionals to get a feel for the look and styles available. Then go a step further and check out online video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo to see even more examples. Put together a selection of links to videos that capture your imagination, and pay attention to the details that appeal to you.
Decide what style of video matches your style
Now that you’ve developed a library of wedding videos start analyzing the styles that really capture your imagination. Note the details of lighting, effects, and angles that distinguish one from another. It’s worth writing down a list of things you’d like to see in your wedding video. Even if you’re not wedding video editing professionals, studying a variety of wedding videos will provide you with a familiarity withthe techniques that make the best wedding videos look truly professional.
Look for referrals
Doing your own research is smart – it gives you a much better understanding of what’s wedding video editing professionals offer. But don’t discount the advice of other professionals in the wedding business. Consult with other professionals you may already be working with, like wedding planners, venue managers, and photographers. Get their recommendations for wedding videographers that they’ve worked with before, and whose expertise and professionalism they value.
In particular, it’s a good idea to ask your wedding photographer for any recommendations that they may have. Having a videographer and photographer who have worked together before will often make things flow much more smoothly on the actual day of the ceremony.
Check out reviews
You’ve decided on the style of wedding video you want, researched wedding video editing professionals, and gotten recommendations. By now you’ve probably narrowed your choices down to just a few wedding video editing professionals. Seek out reviews of those you’re considering, and don’t be afraid to ask the videographers for referrals from previous clients. The input you’ll get from those who’ve used their services in the past can provide you with some valuable insights that can help you narrow your choices.
Meet and talk
Have you narrowed your choices down to a final candidate or two? Good! Now it’s time to make that final step. Arrange to get together with your ideal candidate to talk about what you’d like to see in your wedding video and see if you’re seeing eye-to-eye. Sitting down for a cup of coffee is a great idea, but if possible, try to meet at the actual venue where you’ll be holding the wedding. A good videographer will be able to provide valuable feedback on how well your ideas for what you’d like to see in your video will work in the real world of your wedding venue.
Negotiate your contract
Once you’ve settled on your wedding video editing professionals, it’s important to read the fine print before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you understand everything that comes with your contract and all the services they’ll be providing, before, during, and after the wedding itself. Don’t be afraid to do a little bargaining if you’re on a budget. The majority of wedding video editing professionals will be happy to work with you, particularly if you’re locking in their services in the off-season. In most cases they don’t mind knocking off a few dollars from their fees if they can fill their calendar up early in the year. Remember, it never hurts to ask!
Preparation pays off
Remember, the best thing you’ll get out of your wedding will be the memories of your special day. The time you’ve spent if determining what you want in your wedding video and finding the right person to do it will ensure that your memories will exist in a form that you’ll be proud to share with family and friends for years to come.
When the day of the ceremony comes, you’ll have one less thing to worry about, and you’ll know your wedding will be recorded the way you want by a professional who you’ve taken to time to choose wisely.