Anyone else skipping the wedding video?

kroot87

My fiance and I have decided not to have a videographer for our wedding... We just feel like having the photos will be enough, and although we're not on a super tight budget, we just think that's one of the things we can do without.  I'm just wondering if anyone else is considering doing the same, because I've had mixed reactions when I've told people this.

Tanq&Tonic

Video was an absolute "must have" for us, as was photography.  It's one of those things that we just weren't willing to risk looking back on and NOT having the footage.  I have the vows that DH wrote to me.  I have the script our officiant read.  But nothing will be quite the same as seeing it all over again - their faces and reactions, my family, and the little moments.  AND hearing the speeches again.  You don't have to spring for expensive cinematography, but if you are somewhat sentimental, I think things like vows and speeches are absolutely worth capturing. 

I really don't know anyone who has gotten video and regretted it.  I know lots of people who skipped video and wish they hadn't.  Take this all with a grain of salt, though.  I'm a total sentimental mess -- I get teary over random strangers' videos

Helsa11

We're not hiring a videographer, I've read a few other ladies on here say the same thing. We are on a tight budget though, which is the main reason. An uncle volunteered to make a home video, so we will have that....it just depends what kind of person you are and what your family is like. I don't think my parents have ever watched theirs, and we only watched it once when we were kids. I don't think we even cared that it was professionally done, so it might as well have been home video-ish!

sarahk915

We didn't even consider having a professional videographer, but talked about/planned on having a friend do it.  Unfortunately, the whole idea got buried under all the other planning, and we forgot.  I definitely wish we had some sort of "home video"....it was such a perfect day and I would love to be able to relive it. 

Oh, and my H swears he wasn't nervous, so I would love the chance to show him the video where he was rubbing my hands raw during the ceremony because he was so nervous 

vexie

We weren't planning on having a videographer...then changed our minds a few weeks before the wedding!  We don't have the video yet (should be coming in the next month) but I'm reallyglad  we changed our minds.  The day was so perfect, so much fun... but can I remember half of it?  I have a copy of Hubby's vows to me, but I'm so incredibly excited about being able to watch him say them to me again.  I want to want our 4 flower girls and 2 jr bridesmaids walk up the aisle because that's all I've been hearing about from family and friends, I just want to be able to relive the day again!   Our photographer was fantastic and got amazing pictures of the day... but they're just not the same as a video.

I know many friends who regret not having a video... but not one person who regrets spending the money on a video.

Misheyld

Originally, we weren't going to hire a videographer either, but same as the PP, all of my friends and family that hired a videographer did not regret a dime they spent on it.  And those that didn't have one, regreted not having it.  The comment that stuck with me from my MOH, is that pictures are beautiful but adding sound brings you right back to the day in a way that the pictures can't.

So even if you don't have a videographer, have someone with a home video camera or one of those flip cameras to catch those moments.  Or even just a basic sound recorder to get the vows and the toasts so you can have them. 

bridetobemo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_anyone-else-skipping-wedding-video?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:30Discussion:e7c7cbc5-3ea6-41b5-9152-3b007943ad95Post:1c8b6b72-7703-4bc9-b46c-a2f59ae7f618">Re: Anyone else skipping the wedding video?</a>:
[QUOTE]Video was an absolute "must have" for us, as was photography.  It's one of those things that we just weren't willing to risk looking back on and NOT having the footage.  I have the vows that DH wrote to me.  I have the script our officiant read.  But nothing will be quite the same as seeing it all over again - their faces and reactions, my family, and the little moments.  AND hearing the speeches again.  You don't have to spring for expensive cinematography, but if you are somewhat sentimental, I think things like vows and speeches are absolutely worth capturing.  I really don't know anyone who has gotten video and regretted it.  I know lots of people who skipped video and wish they hadn't.  Take this all with a grain of salt, though.  I'm a total sentimental mess -- I get teary over random strangers' videos :)
Posted by Tanq&Tonic[/QUOTE]

I totally second this! Videography was just as crucial as photography to me for this reason, photos cant capture the lump in your throat while reading your vows, the movement of your first dance, a laugh at the maid of honors toast

prettyirishgirl

I haven't made the final call, but I didn't want to pay such a large amount for video i'll probably never watch at the same time I didn't feel I would be ok without some video of our wedding. So we have been playing with the idea of  getting video cameras for some guests. An aunt who is being beyond helpful. A good friend that I can have in my wedding party because her husband is in it and they have small kids and a few others. We figured that video cameras are getting so inexpensive that We would rather spend 1000 and get 4 of them (and I'm not talking crappy ones - you can find some great deals on small HD cameras now adays) and have video from our guests and then let them keep the cameras then pay 5000 for a vidiographer.

I completely respect the art and some of my closest friends are in the movie and video biasness, but at the same time I'd rather have a jumbled home video that capture those closest to us through their own perspective then pay so much for a stranger.

I also could be extremely old school in this but I love to be able to touch things. I love photographs and a good photographer can capture a memory. You can see a full spectrum of emotions and you can't hear it but you can see a laugh a smile a nervous twitch, but it takes skill and i'm sure it also is something you will pay for. I would look at what you liek and want and how good your photographer is and how well he knows you.

didi8772

As I was getting things figured out for my wedding, my parents told me how they had skipped out on getting a videographer because it was fairly new then, and they thought it was too expensive at the time. They are not very sentimental people, but said they really wished they had video of their wedding. I don't think it has to be professional, but you spent so much time planning your big day, why not have a friend or family member just record it for cheap?

lisabb445

My videography business may be able to help you with this dilemma, this is a repost of mine from an earlier forum: **to clarify, non-profit means free, unless there will be out of state travel costs, and the additional costs of extra cameramen, if you choose that option.

INZI Productions will be expanding their portfolio to include wedding videography services. In order to build a portfolio in this market to obtain future clients, we are offering our services at a non-profit rate for a very limited number of weddings. Our service to you will include 1-2 camera men for a full day shoot, from bride prep to closing of reception. The production style we offer will be cinematic quality in nature, much more desirable than the typical quality of wedding videography available today. Shot on professional equipment, with 35mm lense technology, your wedding video will be edited by very experienced editors, so that you and your family will enjoy it for years to come. 

Included in Package:

1-2 Professional Videographers

8-9 hours of shooting time covering Prep, Ceremony, Photo shoot, Cocktail hour and Reception.

1 short montage/highlight video

1 extended documentary style video 

In exchange for our extremely discounted services, we will retain rights to your video to use in our portfolio to promote to future clients only. Please send an email with your contact information, and we will respond quickly. 

lisabb445

Just an FYI, a 250$ camcorder will not hold up in the low light setting of a wedding event. Expect extremely grainy and dark footage if you are getting married in the church, and the reception is indoors. Also, the sound quality will be very dissappointing. 

For this reason, videographers spend thousands of dollars on camcorders, lenses and pro audio equipment.

KristenG2011

My fiance filmed my cousins wedding for them and they have offered to do the same for us.  Think we will take him up on capturing some moments for us.  Going to buy a camcorder that we can take with us to Hawaii for the honeymoon too.