One of the most common things I get asked after a couple has hired me is "Can you recommend any Videographers?" yet I'd say that out of the amount of weddings I have photographed, only about 50% have actually had a videographer there. Videography seems to be one of those things where it's is even more of a luxury than anything else.
The truth is, for most people, it comes down to affordability. Weddings are expensive, we all know this, but weddings are a luxury. The venue, the flowers, the food, the band, the photographer, the cars, the favours...EVERYTHING is a luxury. That is why these things are expensive. Anyone getting married can go to their local registry office and get married at hardly any cost but lets get real....most people use a wedding to celebrate the occasion with everyone they know and that's what makes weddings so awesome (read my post about why they're so awesome). Take away all the luxuries and it would be a few people at the local registry office and then out for a meal and a few drinks.
So, anyway, the point is that you should only do what is right for you and whether it's within your budget. Personally, and of course I am totally bias, I feel like there are only a few things that stand the test of time after the wedding day is over.
- A happy couple on a lifetime journey together
- Your wedding photography
- Your wedding video
Of course you could add things like, your wedding rings but you know what I'm getting at.
When the day is over, the flowers wilt, the cars are gone, the food is eaten, the drink is finito (of course) even your gorgeous wedding dress is looking a little worse for wear, but 10 years, 20 years, 50 years later, you can still look back at your wedding pictures and video and relive the moments of your special day.
My opinion is, If you can swing the cash to hire a videographer, do it. Videography has come along way over the years and gone are the days of static, boring shots from a camera on a tripod stuck in the corner. These days, videography is like having a movie of your day, with sweeping panning shots, beautiful music and quality sound to capture your vows and speeches perfectly.
I've taken the liberty of adding a few videos from some amazing Scottish based Videographers. Have a look and ask yourself if it's something you can squeeze in the budget.
First up - White Balloon Films
These guys know what they're doing. Stewart and Alina are a married company and know exactly how a wedding should be filmed. Unbelievable quality and with the choice of music you can't help but feel like you know the couples they film and are over the moon for them. I've felt myself chocked up a few times looking at their films. And they use a drone which is so awesome!
Next up - MacDonald Studio
I worked with MacDonald Studio at a wedding back in 2012 and their work gets better and better every time I see it. Beautifully filmed and super nice quality. Robert is a true videographer who showed us a short film he had made whilst we chatted during the dinner at a wedding we worked together. He knows his stuff and is a fantastic videographer.
Finally - Cinemate Films
Something that is extremely important when choosing anyone to handle a part of your wedding, is they should love what they do. It should come across that it isn't just a job to pay the bills and it shouldn't feel like your just another client to them. When you meet any vendor, they should feel like they care and will work hard for you to make sure they do the best they can do for you. This is exactly what Cinemate are all about. Just go to their website and look through it, you'll soon realise these guys LOVE documenting weddings.
Let me know in the comments what you think about videography and what factors you took into consideration or are taking into consideration when booking your videographer.