3 Wedding Video Questions Proven to Save Time, Money and Misunderstandings
As professional filmmakers with more than 35 years of experience in the wedding and events industry, we’ve answered important questions about what looks good on camera and what to avoid. Whether we are talking bridal fashion or technical production tips, those answers seem to change with what is on trend at the time. Think flash mobs.
However, there are a few answers that stand the test of time. We’ve boiled hundreds of questions down into the top three that will have the biggest impact on your final wedding video.
When should we begin filming?
What are the two types of coverage in a wedding video?
What is the impact of single camera versus a multi-camera shoot?
WHEN SHOULD WE BEGIN FILMING?
The start and end time is largely dictated by what the bride and groom want to see in their wedding video. By the time a new couple contacts us, the majority have done some homework. They have looked at wedding videos online and they’ve made some decisions about what they want in their video. The answer ultimately depends on the end goal. Do you want to tell a complete play-by-play or do you want to just hit the high points?
Another consideration is who will be watching the video? Is the video a keepsake just for the bride and groom or will it be viewed by loved ones who are unable to attend the wedding due to distance or health reasons.
*Pro Tip
Save links to your favorite videos and share with your videographer. This communicates your vision clearly, which prevents misunderstanding.
WHAT ARE THE TWO TYPES OF COVERAGE IN YOUR WEDDING VIDEOS?
Regardless of cinematic style, tone and length, there are really two categories of wedding videos: Full Coverage and Essential Coverage.
1. FULL COVERAGE WEDDING VIDEO
Our most common request is for a Full Coverage wedding video. The reason? A Full Coverage video creates a one of a kind, cinematic story from the wedding day. It captures the entire day and in some cases, we begin filming prior to the day to capture guests arriving from out of town.
It’s bolstered by using footage that captures everything that happens to the bride and groom on their special day. It typically begins with the bride and groom getting ready and concludes with additional reception footage. It can even include special interviews with the parents sharing a backstory.
Its popularity is driven by the fact that this type of video is often featured online and most couples want a complete visual reminder to share with generations to come. Let’s face it; some of the most memorable activities happen after the reception is in full swing.
A typical Full Coverage video requires 10 or more hours to film.
2. ESSENTIAL WEDDING VIDEO
An Essential video is exactly what it says. It only covers the “Essentials’” which typically begin with the ceremony itself and end with the toasts at the reception. The upshot is an Essential Wedding video saves on cost since the videographers are on site for a shorter amount of time, which leads to less editing..
By choosing only the essential highlights, some important parts of the day will not be captured, such as a special moment with a parent as the bride is getting ready, or epic moments on the dance floor when grandma and grandpa decide to join in and do the chicken dance. Ultimately, it’s a trade-off, but for those seeking an economical solution, an Essential wedding video is a good option. A typical Essential video requires around 6 hours to film.
*Pro Tip
If you have a wedding plan in place by the time you talk with your videographer, sharing this helps them build a clear video shot list. Putting it in writing removes the possibility of missing key moments. Plus, it makes it easier to get accurate price quotes. If you don’t have a list, don’t worry, we can create one for you when we review your vision for the video.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SINGLE CAMERA VERSUS A MULTI-CAMERA SHOOT AND WHY CAN’T I HAVE THE RAW FOOTAGE?
Out of our top three questions, the most overlooked big picture question by far is, “How many cameras should I have at my wedding?”
Major movies and drama series on TV are typically filmed from multiple angles, which require multiple cameras. Because everyone is so used to seeing it, many people expect it to be the standard. For this reason, we recommend it. It’s easy to upgrade our “Essentials Package”, which typically includes just a single camera for 6 hours, to a two-camera shoot.
Using multiple angle shots in the ceremony and reception for toasts, speeches and special dances ensures a more complete and cinematic look to the wedding day. There are certain situations where, a multi camera solution is 100% necessary. For example, if the bride and groom are getting ready at the same time, it requires two cameramen. Also when a we want to capture two different reactions to the same moment of two different people, multiple camera coverage is a must!
For us, and most other high end videographers, raw footage is not an acceptable way to present your most special of days. Put simply, you are using your hard earned cash to pay for a project that deserves more than raw footage. You are really investing in the final edited film. At the stage in which we could hand over raw footage, only about one-third of the work has been done. Post-production is where the bulk of our time is spent on any video project.
Think of it this way, If you go to a five-star Michelin rated restaurant for a meal and expect it to be one of the finest meals of your life, you are not going to expect the chef to be OK with just giving you the raw ingredients to take home and maybe some of the sauces in a doggy bag!
Utilizing the raw footage, the editing process begins. Editing remains a mystery to most people and it is often difficult to grasp the length of the editing process. When it comes to editing, a good rule of thumb is to remember for every 8 hours of filming, expect 40+ hours editing and color grading. According to this rule, using multiple shooters at a wedding can easily add 10 to 20 more hours of editing.
Be Sure to Ask the Experts Here
We’ve spoken directly with more than 6,000 brides and grooms. We are fully prepared to put all that knowledge to work as we guide you through the toughest decisions for your wedding video. We can connect you with the right videographer you can certainly trust to craft the best cinematic experience from your wedding day.
Check out our amazing Photography and Videography services!