Action! Photos, as gorgeous as they may be, are stills – but film is something entirely different. If you want to see yourself on your wedding day in all your glory, moving, speaking, interacting with your guests, that magical “I do” moment and the sparkle in your eye – there is nothing better than a wedding video.
Most couples are quite sure they are going to have a professional photographer at their wedding, and budget appropriately – after all, this important day needs to be fittingly documented. The photos will be shown online to many friends and relatives, prints kept in a special album to treasure for the future generations, and perhaps a few favourite shots framed and displayed, or given away as gifts to those closest to the happy couple. We are all so attached to our memories – so why is hiring a videographer such a “should we/shouldn’t we” decision?
You may be surprised to learn that many couples decide to hire a videographer on impulse, and at times even long after they’ve booked and paid for everything else. They may be at someone else’s wedding and see the filming in action, prompting a “do we want this?” question. They may see some videos online and find they actually love the idea, even if they never considered it before. Or, simply, they may find they just want more memories from their special day.
If you never thought about hiring a videographer, or you are undecided about hiring one, we say – go for it! Here are all the good reasons why you should have one:
It’s the future
Photos as an art form will never become obsolete, and great wedding pictures are a real treasure – and yet wouldn’t you like to show your children, or grandchildren, or your closest friends, perhaps at your 30th anniversary party, what the day was really like? Video has a great power to bring people right back into that special time. Imagine it this way – if you had a chance to see a video of your grandparents or parents getting married, wouldn’t you love to see it?
The short and the long of it
In case you didn’t know this, there are fantastic edit options available, so you can share your special day with those who weren’t there – without forcing them to sit through hours of footage of the bride and groom getting ready! Most videographers will provide a short edited version of your wedding video, full of special highlights from your day, no more than a few minutes long, ready to be shared with anyone you wish.
Yes, you can have stills
Any professional videographer with good equipment will be able to provide high-quality stills from your video, so you can have your favourite video moments available too.
It went by so fast…
If we had to vote for a single most often shared piece of advice given by the newlyweds, it would be: enjoy the day, it rushes by so fast! You anticipate, plan, discuss, and shop for months and months before your wedding, and then – it’s all over! You will never regret having a chance to re-live it all, at your own pace. In fact, many couples enjoy having a night in watching the video together, and reminiscing about the day just after it’s happened, while the memories are fresh.
I wish…
This is definitely the case of “we really should have done this…” – your wedding day will never happen again, and if you don’t get a videographer, you won’t be able to recapture the day. Many brides who didn’t get a videographer would now recommend getting one to other brides-to-be.
Those special messages
One of the best things about a wedding video is that your family and guests, on that very day, will have a chance to record a few meaningful words from the heart, on camera. As the day flies by, chances are there will be some people at your wedding – friends, aunties, distant relatives – with whom you may not be able to share more than a few minutes on your wedding day. Imagine how touched you will feel, watching the video later, when you hear them thanking you for a fantastic day, and wishing you all the happiness you deserve.
The choice is yours
Picking the right videographer is easier than you think – it’s like deciding whether you like a movie or not! All you need to do is watch some sample videos, and you’ll see right away whether you like the style, if the picture and sound are of good quality, and whether you are moved by the final result. Easy as pie!
Your budget
On the practical side – you may find it’s less expensive than you think. Just like photographers, videographers have different packages, according to your needs and requirements. Shop around, just as you would for any other supplier, and you will be surprised what great offers you will find.
The bottom line
If you choose the right videographer, you will never regret having a wedding video made that you’ll enjoy sharing with everyone who couldn’t be there on your special day with you as well as everyone who could. It really is like the gift that keeps on giving – the happiest day of your life captured on film forever.
