Videographer... worth it?

AJR1129 · October 2010

Hi Ladies!
I'm new on here and starting to plan my 10/11 wedding. I have my photographer all set but I have been holding off on a videographer. In your opinions, is it worth the extra $$ to hire a videographer? I would love to get some feedback.
Thanks!!!

Starmusica · October 2010

ok I was against the idea at first. H really wanted one and kept trying to talk me in to it. We ended up doing it and it was the best decision we made outside hiring our photographer- hands down. So many moments were captured that we would have missed otherwise. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I would probably upgrade to a more inclusive package. Our highlights are in my siggy if u want to see an example.

We used michaelandtriciafilms.com. They are incredibly wonderful !

jc0n15 · October 2010

I want to cry about this question. We weren't going to have one and then decided to about 4 months before the wedding. Well the f-ers didn't show up and we are without a dvd. I am devastated because we missed out on a bunch of things the camera just can pick up. Like when we were standing at the alter waiting for what to do next and the priest just continued to look at us....I finally said "well can I kiss him?" and the whole church was laughing. The photographer only got the kiss. Anyway go for it!!

Starmusica · October 2010

who did you hire? you should throw a review up here if you havent to warn other brides...

jc0n15 · October 2010

Oh I will....I am just holding off until they give us our money back.

sboston06 · October 2010

I think it is worth it. It is one of my only regrets of the wedding day that we didn't have one. All my married friends tried to convince me but I didn't want to spend the extra money since we were over budget already. I wish we had spent it. There were so many things the phtoographer just couldn't capture. Our vows, our entrances, our first dance that we took lessons for, etc etc etc. The biggest thing though - DH's mother surprised us by singing us a song and playing her guitar during the ceremony. We didn't know so we didnt' ask anyone to record it on a digital camera either. And we were so wrapped up in the moment that we missed a lot of little things throughout the day. If I could go back, this is the ONE thing that I wouldn't have changed.

Karen's MOH · October 2010

We didn't have one and I can't say I regret it-- although the wedding was only 9 days ago! I went back and forth on it a lot, and I just didn't feel strongly enough about it to justify the cost. We did have a friend record the ceremony and I think he actually got a few parts of the ceremony even though we didn't ask him to do that part, so we will have that raw footage. While I know I would love to have it now, I can't imagine I'd really watch it that much later on.

Galaxy8227 · October 2010

We got one, we just got married a few weeks ago so we don't have our video yet, but I'm so happy that we did get one. Everyone was telling us how much we would miss (which we did) and we'd need more than just photos to relive the experience. My videographer was fantastic during the wedding process, and his assistant Jen and I became like BFF's because we talked so much

I used Visions Forever (recently changed from Video Visions Forever) and I would totally recommend them.

megandjay · October 2010

We weren't going to do one either, but I am SO glad we did! It is wonderful to look back and replay the memories (pictures don't capture everything). I was even against the 'messages', but that ended up being my favorite part! We just hired a student, so it was not super-professional (just a small camera, no lights), but I am really glad we did it because the day just flies by and it is nice to be able to take a breath and sit down and remember everything like the ceremony, speeches, first dance, etc. If you don't hire a professional I would at least encourage you to have a friend/family member tape the highlights (ceremony, speeches, etc).

noodle_oo · October 2010

We did one and I feel the same way as many others, SO glad we did! We haven't gotten ours back yet either, but the day was such a big blur that I'm really glad I will be able to go back and hear our ceremony vows (it was SO sweet), hear the BM/MOH speeches, see our first dance, etc etc. I think we will make it a tradition to watch it every year on our anniversary. I'm also really looking forward to seeing our friends/family on the video too since the day was so busy, I feel like I missed so much!

The main reason we got one is that I know it will be so wonderful some day to show our kids our wedding video. They will laugh at how silly we look and what total mush balls we are. And it will also capture so many family members together, which happens rarely, and of course some day a few of those faces will no longer be with us.

If there is any way you can afford a basic package, I'd do it. If you can, I'd also hire a professional vs. just having a friend record it. ONe the biggest differences is the sound. A professional will use wireless mics to capture clear audio (like your vows, speeches, etc) whereas using the onboard mic on a consumer grade videocamera, chances are the audio will be terrible and you will hear the audience noise and probably won't be able to hear the vows/officiant as well.

livandrich · October 2010

100000000000% worth it. i would honestly cut majorly in other areas (flowers etc) if necessary to make room in your budget.

we use fade and focus and they were fabulous. you can see our montage at fadeandfocus.com. click on weddings and we are "olivia and rich".

bostonbride214 · October 2010

I was totally against getting one from the start until other brides started telling me their regrets and I started feeling like we were going to miss all the personal touches that we added to make it special for our family and guests.

We actually ended up booking our videographer 12 days before our Feb. wedding! And I'm so glad we did...we used John at Wedding Stories RI. There were are so many things that we missed during the day and I'm so glad that we booked one. GL!!! Here's the website: http://www.weddingstoriesri.com/

gillyquigs · October 2010

Definitely get one! My biggest regret was not hiring a videographer. A former bride tried to convince me but I didn't listen. I'm so bummed

JBs_Bride · October 2010

Yes! I looooooove my wedding video! To my parents and DH and I, it wasn't even a question on whether to book one.

polkadotsarehot · October 2010

I think a cinematographer is worth it. We didn't have one but I regret not thinking about it more seriously after seeing this: http://vimeo.com/15832097

jenwindy · October 2010

I echo the feelings of many other married ladies in this posting.

I was against it, but went for it. And I am glad I did! I often hear regrets of brides not having a video. It's rare to hear a bride who had a video say she wish she didn't book her videographer. It's possible some don't want to admit buyer's remorse but it's a day you can't repeat so if you're on the fence, I say go for it.

Pesapenny · October 2010

We were adament that we wouldn't get one- but we just hired one. I didn't want to regret not having one- after all, we forget little details, memories fade, a video keeps it frozen in time. It's also a tangible product which you can see again and again. Cut the floral budget, the linens, the chivari chairs...no one will remember any of these things and they're gone after the wedding! Get what you want

I went all the way and hired a very expensive one who puts together a short 30 min film in addition to the basic footage. I think it's worth it.

squirrly · October 2010

We decided really late in the game, when we were pretty much out of budget, to get a videographer. To keep costs down, we just had them film in HD with 2 cameras - but no editing. I'll edit myself or find someone to edit when that's in the budget. And, although it's obviously not put together in a movie, we could still watch it to replay moments we missed.

It saved us about $1500 by going this route.

katieb009 · October 2010

YES YES YES a million times YES!! There is so much that happens during the whole day that you just miss...you're talking to someone else or on the other side of the room! My videographer came with two people and they captured EVERYTHING! I got married in NH so my videographer was from North Conway but I say DEFINITELY DO IT! You'll be happy you did!

catsorr · October 2010

Thanks ladies! I will be hiring a videographer!!! I've been on the fence about this, but getting feedback from people and now this post...I'm definitely looking into some videographers!!! Thanks a bunch!

AJR1129 · October 2010

Thanks so much for the helpful responses and opinions, ladies!!
i appreciate the help so much!

Videographer... worth it?

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