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You’re nearly there… just Friday to go and then it’s the weekend. Thank goodness. Maybe it’s the weight of all those resolutions on our shoulders – or perhaps the weight of that rock sparkling on your finger – but why does the first week back at work after Christmas always feel like such a marathon (especially when there is wed-min and dress shopping to be done)?!
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Speaking of wedmin, our regular guest blogger Rachel of Mosaic Brides knows just how to handle all of that – and, handily, is here to offer her expert advice to you too. After a little Christmas break she is back at her best with her two cents on choosing a wedding videographer. Get ready for your close up.
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And action…
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Rachel says: It may sound a little sad coming from a single girl but I’ve become totally obsessed with wedding videos.
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Holly & Toan from hdmoments.com on Vimeo
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At one time the suggestion of a wedding videographer sent shivers down my spine as thoughts of shaky home video productions sprung to mind but having recently taken the time to explore the wonderful world of wedding videos I can now honestly say most productions give me shivers of a different kind.
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Dispelling thoughts of cringe-a-minute amateur footage, professional videographers produce seamless, high quality and personal productions which reflect the individuality of a couple as well as the true beauty and emotion of their wedding (reader warning: such productions should be watched only when armed with a box of tissues).
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The Brides Up North Yorkshire Tweet Up 2012 by the amazing Steven at Forever Film
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Granted a good videographer comes at a price but also provides a stunning solution to the common complaint of brides and grooms that the day passes too quickly and they miss out on important elements as they can’t be in two places at once.
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While photographers are amazing at capturing wedding day magic as a timeless set of stills (and I wouldn’t swap that for the World!), videographers can go beyond static images. They capture the essence of a wedding day through both visual and audio footage to give couples, as well as their friends and family, the opportunity to look at their wedding from a different perspective and relive the special day time and time again.
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Research, research and a little bit more research is the best way to find a videographer that is right for you and your wedding. Get online and watch lots of show reels/example videos on lots of different videographers’ websites to get an idea of the talent that’s out there and what they can offer. Ask yourself:
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What style is the wedding video shot in?
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Generally wedding videos are shot in one of two styles; cinematic and documentary. Cinematic is more posed and edited for dramatic effect and mood whilst documentary is a fly-on-the- wall style, simply capturing the day as it unfolds. While some professionals will stick to just one style others will use a combination of the two.
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Tiffany & TJ – From New York to Ireland from Deneemotion Wedding Cinema on Vimeo
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How good is the quality?
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Watching example videos will give you an idea of the quality a videographer’s work and the equipment they use. Those who use high quality equipment should be less intrusive on the day and will produce a polished final product with clear picture, good lighting, complementary colour and crisp sound.
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How much of the day is captured?
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Most couples request a videographer’s services all day to document the wedding in full, focusing on the main events as well as those all important little touches. Alternatively some couples may be looking for a videographer to capture just specific parts of the day in full such as the vows and the speeches.
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Anjali & Ben – Loch Ness Wedding from Deneemotion Wedding Cinema on Vimeo
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How well has the production been edited?
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Experienced wedding videographers will use a variety of professional techniques when editing in order to deliver a final production that flows like a feature film. Watching examples of their work will give you an idea of their capabilities. Look at how well one scene moves to another, are sound bites from the day included or is the footage just set to music? Is the music complementary or overbearing/distracting? Are any special effects?
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How do they work on the wedding day?
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Ask what equipment they will be using on the day and if/how it will interfere with the wedding. Most professionals use small unobtrusive, high-tech digital cameras that are lightweight, mobile and don’t require extra lighting meaning minimal disruptions to the proceedings. You might also want to enquire how many cameras will be used – while one is not generally enough to capture all the action, more than three might look like a Hollywood film set.
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Amy & Tim – Highlights from Forever Film on Vimeo
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What do you get for your money?
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Just like photographers, videographers offer a variety of packages to suit different budgets. Look at what’s included in each package such as how many copies of the film you will receive and in what format. Most include an edited feature film showing the best parts of the day – as an added bonus some will also include the ceremony and speeches in full. Further extras can include a wedding trailer showing a snapshot of the big day and/or an engagement shoot where a couple are interviewed prior to the wedding about their relationship and what they love about each other which is then edited into the main wedding production.
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Michelle + Leo from hdmoments.com on Vimeo
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That’s a wrap!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Videos © 2013 as credited
Rachel is a regular guest blogger for Brides Up North, HD Moments, Deneemotion & Forever Film are all Brides Up North Featured Suppliers, but this is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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