Tip - Understand Your Final Wedding Video Early

Remember to consider what you want your finished wedding video to look like. Videographers have different styles and not every one will appeal to you, so be sure to get a copy of a demo DVD or a full wedding video from several companies. Beyond paying attention to steady camerawork, smooth pans and zooms, and crystal clear audio, you should be aware of the editing style. The best type of editing is invisible, that is to say you shouldn’t notice it unless you are particularly looking for it. Watch for a clean picture without grain or distortion, crisp slow motion, and beautiful bright colorful images.

Tip provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - DVD Montage

DVD Montage - DVD Montages can be done in many different ways. The most common would be the story line of your life. Not to be confused with a PowerPoint presentation or a picture slideshow. A professionally produced DVD Montage will captivate everyone’s attention and spark many emotions as your friends and family share the story-line of your lives. You provide the pictures as it is elegantly produced and edited to music. It is then shown on a big screen and played through your DJs sound system giving your guests the whole movie experience (minus the popcorn). It is also a great way to honor those loved ones who have passed, without creating a somber moment. It also allows the other side of the family to get to know you in ways that they didn’t before. Family members love to be taken on a short trip down memory lane and your guest will definitely consider it one of the highlights of the evening.

Trend provided by MR DJ Service
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - You Tube

It is truly the You Tube generation's time to get married. With millions of videos viewed everyday on the internet, why should you expect anything less from your wedding video? Online video is the best way to show friend and family who didn't have a chance to attend your wedding a chance to relive it, if only a very small portion. No longer will a bride have to buy additional copies of her video or attach large video files via e-mail. With online media, over 80% of the computers connected to the internet can view your wedding video masterpiece.

Trend provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Download Your Wedding

A new stylish and contemporary way to deliver video is on players such as the Apple video ipod. You can view it anytime and anywhere you want in high quality.
With a video or player such as an ipod, a bride can enjoy her video on car rides, flights, or even at her lunch hour. Some video companies include an ipod with a certain packages, and will pre-load your video onto it so it can be enjoyed right away.

Trend provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl

Tip - Photo & Video: Team, Not Competition

Your photographer and videographer will have one thing on their mind at your wedding...capturing the best photographs or footage. Make sure that they both get to know each other before the wedding or have them meet each other/exchange numbers. That way, nobody will be IN THE WAY for those perfect moments to be captured.Tip and photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Tip - Meet Your Day Of Videographer

After narrowing down your top ideal videographers, ask to speak to the exact person filming your wedding. Some companies hire contractor videographers to film multiple events in one day, so if you can, get the guarantee of your specific videographer in writing on your contract. Make sure the samples videos you are watching were filmed by this person.

Tip provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Bringing Photos to Life

Unlike cheesy slide shows from years past that remind you of your aunt's trip to Lake Gloomy, new 3D slide shows bring photos to life by moving them around in three dimensions. Photos are brought 'alive' when the people in the photo move independently from the background. You may have seen this technique on the Discovery or History channel as a way to make old photos seems alive!

Trend provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Couples Slideshow

A highlight to most weddings receptions is a slideshow about the bride and groom. In most cases, they contain photographs of the bride and groom throughout their life including images of them together.
Add some spice to your slideshow by including video clips of the bride and groom answering questions about each other or even images of the wedding earlier that day. Consider surprising your guests by including a skit in the slideshow.

Trend provided by Profinish Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Get it in Writing!

Be aware of how long after your wedding date you should expect your finished video as videographer turnaround times can vary from 4-6 weeks to 6-9 months. You should be comfortable with this estimate before booking as videos are usually completed in the order filmed through the course of the year. Insist on getting an estimated date from your videographer in writing on your contract. Some companies can also offer a rush service to ensure that you receive your video in much less time.

Tip provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - High Def is Definitely In!

High Definition Video is in! Properly composed and polished, a high definition wedding video can feel more realistic than actually being there. High definition by definition is more vivid, brighter, clearer, and more dynamic than could ever be allowed previously. Even if you do not have an HDTV yet, the finished product will still look better than video shot just 3 years ago. This technology separates the men from the boys, as high definition wedding films can feel more and more like an actual Hollywood production, rather than the shaky-cam antics of Uncle Bob.

Trend provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of ProFinish Design

Tip - Contracts, contracts, contracts...

Put all the details of your agreement with your videographer in writing. The contract should cover the date, ceremony and reception locations, special add-ons, fees, coverage hours, number of cameras, and number of copies. Also make sure you discuss the difference between manned and unmanned cameras. Some packages say two or more cameras are included, but might include only one operator, and the remaining camera is put on a stationary tripod.

Tip provided by Sheffield Multimedia
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - "Our Love Story"

Sometimes the cameras will roll even before the wedding day to make something called "A Love Story."
A love story is the telling of how they met, fell in love, and planned their wedding. Depending on their tastes, these videos can be serious and romantic, slapstick and funny, or somewhere in between.

These are often shown at the reception for the guests to and gives guests a chance to get to know the couple a little bit better. It can add a little something special to the wedding day.

Trend provided by Sheffield Multimedia

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Tip - More than just a Cameraman

It is very important to find a wedding videographer with years of wedding video experience. TV show cameramen, film producers, and corporate videographers understand the technical requirements of their equipment, but do not specialize in weddings and events. Since your wedding is a live event, your videographer should be able to react and troubleshoot any incidentals that occur. This instinctive skill can only be learned through years of specific wedding experience.

Tip provided by Sheffield Multimedia

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists