Unfortunately, these couples’ hopes for a memorable record of one of the most important days of their lives end up in disappointment. Despite the fact that these couples save money on the wedding video, the personal cost ends up being much higher than expected.

Please don’t misunderstand us. Using a non-professional to shoot the wedding is just fine. Where we are left shaking our heads is when we see avoidable mistakes that result from the biggest, most obvious mistake: lack of communication.

A wedding is the type of event where you only get one chance to videotape it and get it right. So in order to raise the odds of success, good communication MUST be maintained between the videographer and all the key participants in the wedding. Your wedding video is doomed if this doesn’t happen.

Good communication starts with the bride and groom. It is important that they discuss and make decisions about exactly what they want captured (videotaped) on their wedding day. Don’t assume that the videographer will automatically know what is and isn’t important to record.

Since this is the couple’s wedding video, they can choose to record just about anything they feel is important.

For example, some couples like to videotape their wedding day breakfast; or visiting an elderly relative at the retirement home before heading over to the reception.

These are fabulous moments to have on tape. However, if they don’t communicate these plans to the videographer, these special moments are lost. Remember: if you don’t shoot it you won’t have it.

The person shooting the wedding video is the next key participant who will be required to communicate with a more extensive list of key participants.

Of course, communicating with the bride and groom to know exactly what they want is the most important responsibility of the videographer.

Additionally, the videographer should be sure that the couple also provides him/her with the following information:

1. The exact start time of the wedding.

Believe it or not, we’ve seen wedding videos that started AFTER the bride’s walk down the aisle…because the videographer didn’t show up on time.

2. How long the wedding ceremony is expected to last.

This is important because if you know how long the ceremony is expected to last you will know how much videotape you need to buy. The rule of thumb is to buy enough tape to cover TWICE the length of time that the ceremony is expected to last.

For example: If the wedding is expected to last one hour (60 minutes) then buy enough tape to cover two hours (120 minutes) FOR EACH CAMERA being used. This will probably cover the wedding and the reception.

We’ve seen wedding videos that stopped at a critical moment because the videographer didn’t have enough videotape. Just remember that its always better to have too much videotape than not enough.

After communicating with the bride and groom, the videographer should make sure that he talks to the minister or person conducting the wedding ceremony…preferably at the wedding rehearsal.

This conversation should include letting the minister know where camera positions will be established and making sure that this meets with his/her approval. No matter how beautiful the shot, the videographer should never interfere with the wedding ceremony.

The videographer should also get permission for placing a microphone on the minister. (This is just common courtesy).

The videographer can also ask the minister give him/her a two-minute “start” cue in order to be ready to roll tape.

If more than one videographer is being used, the videographer in charge needs to clearly communicate with them so that they know exactly what is expected of them.

These additional videographers need to know exactly when and where to show up; when to roll tape, and what they are responsible for capturing with their individual cameras.

Just about everyone knows how to use a video camera. But just knowing how to use a video camera doesn’t mean that you can turn your camera on and expect to produce a professional-looking wedding video.

However, you CAN produce a professional-looking, do-it-yourself wedding video if you remember the importance of avoiding the biggest mistake that can ruin everything: lack of communication.

For more professional wedding video secrets, Click Here!

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But believe it or not, this is a golden opportunity for you to become a hero/heroine in this stressful situation. Once you understand what’s behind Bridezilla’s scary fire breathing, you can play a major part in dousing the fire.

The first thing you must understand is that planning a wedding is similar to producing a Broadway show. It involves coordinating people, places, and things with a military-like precision. If one thing falls out of place, the entire production can come undone.

Ok…that might be exaggerating the situation. Truth be told, when was the last time you saw a wedding come undone? (I’m speaking of the wedding…not the marriage)?

The great thing about these so-called “catastrophes” is that they usually become an amusing part of our family stories that our children and grandchildren beg to hear over and over.

These stories are funny because we can see them through the benefit of hindsight. But during the actual time the bride is planning the day she’s been dreaming about her whole life, every detail takes on an importance of monumental proportions.

Not only has she been dreaming about her perfect wedding, she has mentally rehearsed every detail at least 1000 times. The trouble is that the details included during this mental rehearsal reflect only the “perfect,” finished production. Her rehearsal hasn’t included planning and coordinating all the details that go into making it perfect.

Most brides have limited, if any, experience with event planning, so its easy to become overwhelmed when some of these details seem to be going wrong. So out bursts Bridezilla, with her fangs barred and eyes bulging, lashing out at anyone that gets in her way.

At this point you must be wondering how you’re going to become a hero in this scenario, given that you’re just videotaping the wedding.

Well, this is where that golden opportunity comes in. All of Bridezilla’s fire breathing is the result of not feeling in control. You can help Bridezilla come under control by demonstrating that you are a professional who has the details of the wedding video under control.

I know what you’re thinking… “But, I’m not a professional. I’ve just been asked to shoot my friend’s wedding.”

Well I’m here to tell you that you can easily become a professional by first understanding that shooting the wedding video is going to take more than just showing up at the church, with your video camera in hand. It means getting all your video production ducks in a row. If this sounds intimidating, relax. You just need a little planning that includes:

Talking with all key wedding participants (e.g., bride, groom, minister, etc.) to know what’s expected

Getting all your equipment together and making sure its runs properly

Buying plenty of videotape cassettes and batteries

Being at the Wedding Rehearsal

Showing up early for the Wedding

Staying focused

You can get plenty of wedding video production help online if you’re still feeling uneasy.

Just remember…you will only be stressed out if you’re not prepared. If you take the same, easy steps that professional videographer’s do, you will be relaxed and confident.

This relaxed, confident attitude is sure to be a source of reassurance to Bridezilla. Then watch her take her cue from you, transforming back into the beautiful blushing bride of her dreams.

For more professional Wedding Video Secrets, Click Here!

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Your wedding video will be greatly enhanced if you have your wedding ceremony picked up by an audio feed to the camera.

Start by checking to see if the church has someone in charge of running their sound system. This person should be able to provide an audio feed to one of your cameras. You will take an audio cable, plug one end into the sound system and the other end into the mic input jack on your camera.

Be sure to check the level of sound your receiving by turning on your camera and listening through your headset…which should also be plugged into the camera.

The main audio console usually has either a 1/4” or 1/2” jack marked “Line Level” or “Mic Level” output. One end of your audio cable should be plugged into the Mic Level jack and the other end into your camera.

If you don’t have an audio cable, they are available for rent. You can also by a cable at your local Radio Shack. Audio cables are faily inexpensive. Whether you rent or buy, just make sure its long enough for your needs.

Another piece of audio equipment that will help the quality of your video is a hand-held
microphone. You can plug this into your camera through the external mic input jack. This will help to capture better audio and giving you more range.

Be sure to check the sound level of the microphone by having someone speak into the microphone while you listen through the headset.

Complete this pre-production task at least a week before the wedding. You will be able to determine if you need to acquire an audio cable (the church may have an extra). Waiting until the morning of the wedding will leave you scrambling and you might end up with poor quality audio.

Some churches don’t have a a sound system. In this case, you can rent a wireless lavaliere mic.

You can clip this mic to the minister’s lapel. This microphone’s receiver will plug into the external mic input jack on the camera. Tape the microphone receiver to one of the legs of the camera tripod with duct tape. Just be sure to become familiar with the operation of this microphone and make sure its batteries are fully charged.

If there is no sound system and you don’t have the budget to buy or rent an external microphone, you will have to rely on the camera microphone. You can still capture good audio by just moving in closer to your subjects.

Most camera microphones are fairly sensitive, so this shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure to check your audio levels by listening through your headset. Adjust your distance from your subjects accordingly.

Add that professional touch to your wedding video by making sure the audio is the best it can be.

Click here to learn more professional Wedding Video Secrets.

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Have you volunteered to shoot a friend’s wedding out of the kindness of your heart?

If you’re nervous about taking on this important responsibility, our list of the top ten wedding video do’s and don’ts will help you navigate through some tricky territory and come out the other end with a near professional result.

1. Do familiarize yourself with all the key participants

Communicate with bride and groom to establish what they want videotaped.

Talk to the minister and make sure that he knows and approves of you working at and around the altar.

Let any additional videographers know what’s going on and what is them.

2. Do make sure that you have all the equipment you need and that its in good working order.

How many cameras do you plan on using? Do you know how you will get them (borrow, rent, buy?)

You will need a sufficient number of audio and video cables, plenty of fully-charged batteries and blank videotapes.

3. Don’t miss the wedding rehearsal.

This will be your chance to become familiar with all operating systems including cameras, lighting and audio before the wedding takes place.

Decide where the best places are to put the cameras.

Be sure to find out if there will by any special ceremonies (e.g. lighting the Unity Candle) or props (e.g. floral canopy) that need to be a part of your footage.

Videotape pre-wedding interviews with the bride and groom (interview them separately).

4. Don’t forget to turn off the cameras’ Date and Time function.

Open the Menu function on the camera to turn off Date and Time. If your don’t, the date and time will be “stamped” on your footage and ruin the look of the videotape…and nothing yells, “amateur” louder.

5. Do be at the church or wedding venue one hour before the wedding gets started.

Pre-wedding footage requested by the bridal couple should be shot at this time.

Have a last minute confirmation check with any additional videographers.

Set audio and lighting levels and double check that all equipment is running properly.

6. Do introduce yourself and other videographers to the wedding photographer.

Let him know that you and your crew won’t get in his/her way.

7. Don’t use your camera to search back and forth for your shots.

Scan the room with your eyes, find your next shot, THEN move the camera directly there.

8. Don’t narrate the action while taping the wedding reception.

This is a big no-no and you will probably be embarrassed when you hear your off-camera narration. (The bride won’t be to crazy about them either.)

9. Do make doubly sure that you have all your videotape cassettes before you leave the church.

Guard them with your life!

10. Do remember to relax and enjoy yourself.

Its ok for you to enjoy the reception too. Take a break, have something to eat and drink until its time to start shooting the remainder of the reception.

Just remember…you’ll be scared and anxious only if you’re not prepared. If you follow these 10 do’s and don’ts, you’ll be relaxed, confident and looking forward to presenting the bride and groom a with a sure-to-be-treasured record of their special, once-in-a-lifetime event.

Click here to learn more professional Wedding Video Secrets.

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Ask any professional videographer about the most important element of a professional wedding video and they will all say the same thing: pre-production.

If you want to produce a beautiful wedding video, save time, money, unnecessary work and frustration, the majority of your focus should be placed on pre-production.

This element is so important, if you skip it or pay little attention to it, you can count on having a very disappointing outcome. However, if you put you energies into this critical step, you’re going to have a smooth production experience that will ultimately result in a finished production that you will be proud to present to the bride and groom.

Pre-production involves both the bridal couple and whoever is going to produce the wedding video.

The bridal couple has three pre-production tasks:

1. Talk about, agree to and outline specifically what they want captured (videotaped) on their wedding day.
2. Decide who they want to be in charge of producing the video: a friend or family member…or even a professional videographer
3. At least two weeks before the wedding, talk to the designated producer, give him your notes and be clear about exactly what is to be videotaped because if you don’t shoot it you won’t have it.

The pre-production tasks for the producer include but are not limited to:

1. Talk to the bridal couple to establish expectations for the wedding video. If you have questions don’t hesitate to ask. Take clear notes.
2. Get all video/audio equipment together. A minimum of two cameras is strongly suggested…three are even better. At least one of the video cameras should include:
   • jack for external audio (Mic In) headphone
   • external light jack
   • flip out view screen
   • internal camera microphone
   • AC power adapter.
   • Two, fully-charged batteries for each camera
3. Provide a tripod for each cameraRegardless of what type of camera you’re using, a tripod is the one piece of equipment that cannot be omitted.
4. Make sure to have enough blank videotape cassettes for each camera. If you’re not sure how many to buy, just ask the bride how long she thinks the wedding to be, then buy enough videotape to cover twice that length of time.

Example: If the bride tells you she expects the wedding to last one hour (60 minutes) then buy enough tape to cover two hours (120 minutes) for each camera. This way, you are likely to have enough tape to cover both the wedding and the reception. Too many tapes are better than not having enough.

5. Be at the wedding rehearsal

The producer should complete the first four pre-production tasks no later than one week before the wedding rehearsal/wedding.

These pre-production steps will put you well on your way to making a do-it-yourself wedding video look as professional as the professionals.

Click here to learn more professional Wedding Video Secrets!

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