How to Choose a Wedding Videographer

It is your big day and everything must go exactly as you planned. It took you a long time to get to this point and your wedding should be one of the greatest milestones in your life. So capture the moment with video! The steps below will guide you in choosing a wedding videographer for your big day.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get a reference. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to refer their wedding videographer to you. They will be very honest and help clear your mind on any questions about the quality of video they received after their big day.

2. Research prices. The best two ways to research wedding videographer’s prices is via the internet and the phone book. Check the high-end prices with the low-ball prices. The average costs should be somewhere in between.

3. Put out some phone calls and test the waters. Speak to the videographer. Ask them as many questions as you would like. This is the time to get familiar with the lingo. This is also the time to feel out your prospective service provider.

4. Find out the expected date of completion. This is a prime indicator of how busy your videographer can be. You can ask if the videographer will have the edited footage of your memorable day once you get back from your honeymoon, or a few weeks later.

5. Ask the prospective videographer for a reel. All professional camera operators have some type of edited footage they can show you. This is their selling tool. You will be able to see the quality of their work.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to ask if they charge an hourly rate for editing, although most packages are all-inclusive.
• Do not forget to ask what type of equipment they use. You do not want to pay professional prices for a camcorder.
• Your videographer should have a 3 CCD (3-chip) broadcast camera.
• Make sure your videographer knows of any last minute changes in the set up of the wedding and/or reception. They need to be in areas that are permissible for the shots they must cover.
• Do not have unrealistic goals. Keep in mind the fact that your videographer will have to edit this footage.
• Do not sign a contract unless you are certain that you are going to use this person as your wedding videographer.
• Trust your instincts. If the person does not seem reliable, do not pick them.
• Always remember that you get what you pay for!