Can a $300 wedding video look as good as one costing $3000? In other words, how often does the frog get to kiss the princess? Not everyday, right? As a rule, like everything in life, you get what you pay for. A $300 to $500 wedding video will more than likely be lacking in several areas even if it is produced by a gifted, award winning film maker, even if he uses top-notch equipment because cheap suffers from a prodigious diminishment of buck/time/effort.
If you spend way less than the nation average on your wedding videography the videographer/filmmaker is unlikely to spend much time in preparation, like arriving early to scout the filming location, and he/she is unlikely to spend much effort seeking out special filming angles that might, for example, be photogenically better for the bride or the location. He/she is unlikely to take the time or effort to bring along extra gear, like soft lights that can make all the difference in dimly lit areas, or back-up sound just in case the primary sound system fails. Then, after the wedding, he/she will have to squeeze time in the editing suite because it simply does not make dollar sense for her to do a time consuming creative edit.
For the easy to please bride, a cheap wedding video serves a purpose; it is, after all, an indelible recording of the wedding day, but to expect a well tailored film that family and friends would marvel over is wishful thinking. As stated, it can happen, but it's a rare.
If you spend a sum that is close to the national average for wedding videography, It is reasonable to expect a good looking film. However, be mindful, the national average of $1700 applies to one wedding videographer with one camera filming for 4 hours. Needless to say, some couples get great looking wedding videos for less even with 8 hours of videography, 2 or 3 cameras and a Blu-ray upgrade for free. Competition in the wedding vendor business is fierce, and some excellent videographers are willing to slash their prices to earn the business. Bottom line is: do your homework and ask the videographer questions, especially about the editing. This is worth repeating. Ask about the editing. Editing means more than making shorter. It is the process of selecting shots, cutting them up and carefully placing them into a creative order. Without editing, your film is sort of like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle laid out in a neat linear display, one piece after another, but you can hardly discern the finished picture by looking at the jigsaw puzzle this way.
If you really want a phenomenal looking wedding video, one that will not only swell your heart but the hearts of others too, get involved in the process. Discuss your wedding film with the videographer. If you want an animated photo montage rather than a simple picture slide show showing you and your other half during childhood, make sure that the video stylist is proficient in that area. If you want dolly shots and crane shots in your wedding video (shots that have a big film look) discuss it. Discuss your music preferences. Discuss the film's length. Its color tones, sound track. Work on the design of your wedding video before the wedding. What does a wedding film like this cost? I can't speak for others but the Beverly Hills Videographer produces exquisite wedding films doing all of the above for $3500, and they too make deals.
Contact David Marsh at www.beverlyhillsvideographer.com
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