Austin Wedding Blog

Welcome to my blog on wedding videography. I hope you find the information on this page usefull for planning the video production of your wedding and reception.

Nothing quite captures the real essence of your wedding day (the sights, sounds and energy) better than a well done, high quality video. You'll be able to revisit this important day in your life long after it's over, and share it with children, grandchildren or other special people in the future.

What is: Videography / Videographer

Videography can have one of two meanings: 1. The art or process of video production; 2. The art or practice of using a video camera. Similarly, the term Videographer can be used in reference to a video producer or a video camera operator.

What is: Video Taping / Production

Anything to do with capturing moving images via a camera (including lighting, performing, sound and setup) can be called Production. Other words used to describe this are video taping, recording, filming, shooting.

What is: Editing / Post Production

Editing is the process of cutting video clips and putting them together into a movie / documentary film, including adding of effects and sound mixing. Besides editing, post production also includes creating a DVD/Blu-ray with menus and cover artwork. A good wedding videographer may spend 80-90% of their time on post production.

How to: select a Wedding Videographer

The most important element when selecting a wedding videographer is a comprehensive sample of their work. Ask to see the full completed video from a wedding (not just the highlights or a trailor reel), so that you will know exactly what you will receive. Consider the quality of the video - the picture, the sound and the editing. A bad or poor quality video is a complete waste of money, but, really good, high quality wedding videography, is priceless.

What are: the questions to ask a Wedding Videographer

Can I see samples of your work?
How long have you been a professional wedding videographer? How many weddings have you done?
What packages do you offer? What do they include?
Are you able to accommodate any restrictions with lights and tripods at the ceremony location?
What is the length of the completed wedding video? How long before we receive it?
Do you offer DVD and Blu-ray? What is the charge per extra copy made?
Will you be able to film while a photographer is present?
Do you attend the wedding rehearsal?
What types of cameras, lights and microphones will you use? Where will they be placed?
How will you record sound and music during the ceremony, speeches and dances? Can I select my own music?
Will you be the one filming at my wedding? If not, can I speak with that person?
Can I keep the raw, unedited footage? Is there an added fee for this?
Will a backup camera be on hand for the event? Do you have a backup for sound recording?
How far in advance must I book your services? What is your cancellation policy?
Is a deposit or advance payment required? If so, when and how much?
Do you charge for travelling? Are there any other fees or taxes?

What are: the reasons to hire a professional wedding videographer

The core reasons to hire a professional wedding videographer are the same as that for a professional wedding photographer. Plus, there are some specific reasons, just to name a few - professional attitude towards the work, steady camera movements, professional grade video camera and recording format, multiple camera angles and accessories, professional grade sound recording and microphones, professional audio and video editing tools with special effects, etc.

What if: I have not budgeted to hire a wedding videographer

Ideally you want to set aside a large amount from the beginning of your financial planning for the wedding. However, if it happens to be an afterthought or you really are falling short, you can hire a wedding videographer that will accept credit cards, and you can use one that offers 0% interest on balance transfers or first charge. This will allow you to ease the payments over a long period of time without paying interest or fees. Normally, a wedding videographer should not need full payment in advance, and anything more than 50% is (normally) unreasonable. Plus, the balance should not be due before the fully completed wedding video is ready for you receive.

PS. If you have not hired a wedding photographer (yet) your wedding videographer may be able to offer a photography-videography bundle with huge savings as a combination.