FILMING YOUR WEDDING:
SOME TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Many bridal couples and their families have questions and concerns about how the wedding will be recorded. Below are some of the questions we are most often asked, together with information we hope will be helpful to you when considering video services for your wedding.

WILL THE VIDEO EQUIPMENT BE DISTRACTING DURING THE CEREMONY?

Because portable video equipment is compact and silent, the most important consideration here is whether or not the videographer has the skill to avoid intruding on the ceremony. We feel strongly that both the ceremony and reception should be taped in as unobtrusive a manner as possible. For example, the videographer should not move about during the ceremony - the camera should remain stationary on the tripod.

Most people are concerned about the use of flood lamps during the wedding service, and we agree that use of such lighting is not appropriate during the ceremony. We use low-light professional 3-chip cameras which can produce images in virtually all dimly-lit interiors without video lamps.

WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT OUR VOWS CAN BE HEARD ON THE TAPE. WILL THIS BE POSSIBLE IF THE CAMERA IS PLACED AWAY FROM THE ALTAR?

If the ceremony were to be recorded using the camera's built-in microphone, your vows would most likely be inaudible. These microphones lose clarity at distances beyond 7-10 feet. We utilize broadcast-quality wireless microphones, generally worn by the officiant and the groom; these provide excellent clarity.

WE ARE BEING MARRIED IN AN EVENING CEREMONY AND THE CHURCH LIGHTS AREN'T VERY BRIGHT. HOW WILL THE VIDEO LOOK?

Although video cameras produce their best images when there is ample light, our professional 3-chip digital cameras do remarkably well in almost any venue, even in low light settings. With the advent of DVD technology, your wedding footage is captured digitally and preserved with amazing clarity.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER TO ATTEND THE REHEARSAL?

We feel it is very important to attend the rehearsal. This enables us to better coordinate our camera placement and avoid such unpleasant surprises as having an attendant block our views of the couple during the vows.

YOU OFFER AN EDITED DVD. WHY WOULD WE NEED EDITING, SINCE WE WANT TO SEE ALL THE SCENES THAT WERE RECORDED?

As we use the term, editing does not mean the removal of usable scenes from the tape. Rather, editing a wedding video involves the following:

• The addition of titles, music, still photos, etc.
• The elimination of "glitches" which would detract from the tape. For example, we must sometimes leave the tape running while rushing to capture a spontaneous scene at the reception; this footage is edited out.
• Editing can be used creatively to give better pacing. For example, a lengthy scene of guests dancing can be "broken up" and made more interesting by editing in interviews with guests every few minutes.

A well-edited video looks far more polished and thus will be more enjoyable to watch; unedited tapes always have an amateurish quality.

WILL THE VIDEO IMAGES FADE OVER TIME?

Since both video and audio information are recorded and encoded digitally, a DVD will last indefinitely with no loss of quality. Even though VHS tapes are recorded magnetically, they too can last indefinitely if properly stored.