After all, your new camera should help to make the production a “slam dunk.” Right?

Well, I’m here to tell you that we’ve been asked time and time again to fix these well-intentioned “slam dunks,” that ended up being embarrassing disasters.

Don’t get me wrong…I think that today’s personal video camera technology is quite remarkable. It’s obvious why someone would want to own one. These cameras are affordable, easy to carry around and are operated on the principle of ”point and shoot.” It’s only logical that the prospect of shooting a wedding would seem quite doable.

That being said, however, you can have the easiest to use video camera in the world but it’s a big step to shooting the type of wedding that the bride and groom will treasure. As my colleague,Tony, is fond of saying, “just because you can light the stove doesn’t mean you can cook.”

Shooting a wedding is more complicated than “point and shoot.” But the good news is that it’s not that much more complicated. It is “doable!” All you need, besides your camera, is a little strategic planning and making sure you also have some very important, but easy to gather equipment and supplies. You CAN do it yourself and have a wedding video that you will be proud to present to the bride and groom.

Here is a list of those all-important equipment and supplies:

1.Tripod(s)

It doesn’t matter if use VHS camcorders, DV Cams or film cameras, but a tripod is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will be using during the shooting of the wedding. Using a tripod ensures that your shots will be stable while giving you controlled flexibility to perform smooth and simple zooms and pans. Don’t worry about having to run out a buy a tripod. Rentals are easy to locate and are surprisingly affordable.

2. Microphone (Hand-held or lavaliere)

Another piece of optional equipment you may want to rent or buy is an external microphone. A microphone plugs into the camera through the external mic input jack and allows you to capture better audio and gives you better range with your camera.

3. Camera and Microphone Batteries

Each camera and microphone should have two, fully-charged batteries. If you don’t have power, your camera and microphones are useless. Two batteries insure that if one battery dies you’ll have a backup.

4. Audio/Microphone Cables

Using audio/microphone cables will increase the range of your camera by allowing you to access the church’s sound system, if available. Ask the audio control operator to give you an audio feed to your camera. Plug one end of your audio cable into the Mic Level output and the other end into your camera. You can also rent these cables quite inexpensively.

5. Headphones

It’s important to check the quality of the audio that you are receiving by having someone speak into the microphone while you listen through headphones. There will be a headphone jack on your camera that you can easily plug into. Adjust audio levels as necessary. You can purchase headphones as cheaply as $9 at your local Radio Shack.

6. AC Power Adapters

Running your camera on electricity saves your battery power. If it’s convenient, plug your camera into a wall outlet. Make sure the cord is long enough for your purposes and remember to avoid creating a tripping hazard. All you have to do is attach the cord securely to the floor by completely covering its length with duct tape. This is called “dressing” the cord.

7. Duct Tape, Markers, Pens and notepad

These small supplies will prove invaluable for helping you get and stay organized. Duct tape comes in handy when dressing power cords or attaching wireless microphone receivers to the leg of your tripod. You can also duct tape your audio cable connections so they can’t be accidentally pulled apart.

Markers and pens are important for marking/numbering your videotape cassettes and taking notes.

8. Videotape Stock

It’s critical that you have sufficient videotape stock. If you run out of tape just as the exchange of rings or some other important part of the ceremony is taking place…well I probably don’t need to tell you how bad that would be.

To determine how much videotape is sufficient, ask the couple how long they expect the wedding to be, and then purchase enough videotape to cover twice that length of time.

For example, if the bride tells you she expects the wedding to last one hour (60 minutes) then purchase enough tape to cover two hours (120 minutes) for each camera you will be using. Chances are this is going to give you enough videotape for the wedding AND the reception. And if you don’t use all the tape…no harm done. It’s better to have too many tapes than not enough.

9. And…Something to carry all this equipment (camera bag, duffel bag, backpack, etc.)

This just makes everything easier on you. If you have all your supplies in an easy-to-carry bag you won’t be scrambling to find something you need, or increase the chance of losing something important.

Just remember, anyone can use a video camera. It takes something special to create a professional-looking wedding video. Taking the time to do a little planning and having all the right tools is something special. You will then be ready to shoot a wedding video.

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Her request made me very happy…for a couple of reasons:

1. I didn’t have to buy her a present (I’m a terrible shopper/gift-giver.)
2. I could show off my professional talents to her new husband and his family…making my sister proud.

So getting into professional videographer mode, I double and triple-checked all my equipment so as to leave nothing to chance. I bought extra batteries and videotape cassettes. I ran a last minute sound check to make sure that I was going to capture clear sound.

I knew from experience that there were going to be wonderful moments that my sister and her groom wouldn’t be able to see on their special day, so I made sure to tape them.

Some of these special moments included my sister and her attendants getting dressed in their wedding finery; all the special out-of-town guests arriving and sending personal greeting to the couple; the groom’s son lovingly tying a bow tie on his dad; and a hilarious, off-the-cuff interview with the judge who was conducting the wedding ceremony. (That was a bonus!)

The setting of the ceremony was my sister’s beautiful back yard. I scouted and found an excellent camera location, making sure that I wouldn’t block anyone’s vision.

The big moment finally arrived! My sister’s maid of honor made a slow, but lovely entrance which help to build the anticipation.

Then the music changed and my sister began her momentous walk toward her new life.

I was suddenly overtaken by a tsunami of emotion. I couldn’t stop crying and shaking, which almost caused me to drop the camera.

I image that you’re reading this in stunned disbelief. I, the consummate PROFESSIONAL videographer, was HOLDING the video camera.

I made the #1 mistake that should be avoided at all costs: I didn’t put my camera on a tripod.

Regardless if you use a VHS camera, DV cam or film camera, when you’re videotaping a wedding, a tripod is the one piece of equipment that you simply cannot do without. A tripod gives you CONTROL, stability and flexibility to perform simple zooms and pans.

As you can see, below, I ruined my sister’s big moment. And there is NO WAY to get it back.

My sister and I laugh about it, now, but I can tell that it still bothers her. I know that it still bothers me.

The moral of the story: This is a mistake that could have easily been avoided. A wedding is the type of event where you only get ONE CHANCE to get the video right. There are no re-takes.

So don’t do what I did. Don’t forget the tripod.

You may not have such a forgiving sister like I do.

For more professional wedding video secrets, Click Here!

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