Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Producing a Wedding Video

Posted on March 16, 2008
Filed Under Pre-Production |

Worried ManAre you a friend or relative of a couple planning a wedding who has asked that you do them the favor of shooting their wedding video?

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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