Videographer, have one, yes or no?

Re: Videographer, have one, yes or no?

• aprovencher21

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_south-new-jersey_videographer-one-yes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:128Discussion:31db530c-8324-4f9f-b10d-ac790b6ecb1cPost:53c2f90c-04fd-498c-9a35-2ccd582cab95">Videographer, have one, yes or no?</a>:
  [QUOTE]I am involved in a debate with my in laws. My fiance and I do not plan on having a videographer at the wedding. We figured if we really want anything, it would be the ceremony and we can have a guest use a personal camcorder for us to tape it. The DJ will be taking some brief video and pictures during the reception as well as editing a 3 minute video montage of the ceremony for us and we can't see ourselves watching a full video more than a few times over the years. They keep telling us we want one (which I think we've sad we don't but whatever.) Any married Knotties that didn't get one who wished they had? Or had one but now wish they hadn't? I don't want to spend a few thousand dollars on something I'm not going to end up needing but if everyone tells me I'll actually want it/watch it I'll look into it a bit more.
  Posted by Rangergirl[/QUOTE]
  
  We weren't sold on a videographer until recently.  I wouldn't spend thousands on it.  I met with jack Otepka and my package is $600.  It includes footage of the ceremony and reception edited with special effects, etc. that comes on one DVD.  Each additional DV is $10.....so I figure I'll have to get at least three more.  I'm happy to spend that amount of money. 

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• jayme707 member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I had one and I'm so glad that I did!!!  Everyone tells you the day goes by fast but no one prepares you for just how fast!  I feel like you're just so busy and there's so much to take it, there's so much you might miss!  For me, the entire night is such a blur because there's so much going on, it's overwhelming.  I can't wait to get our video back just to see what I missed.  I don't think you'll regret having one, but you might regret not having one.  I actually wish I had budgeted for my videographer and photographer equally rather than spending so much more on the photography. 

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• sas0402 member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I did get a videographer but i went cheaper on it than my photography... I just wanna have all the footage of the day to play back to future children.. i wouldnt go crazy though

  

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• viewfromheaven05 member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I too went with a videographer and I'm happy.  I mean I havent seen the outcome yet, but I know there are things that pictures can't capture so I'm looking forward to seeing my video in a month.  I missed all the beginning things of the wedding since I was hidden from everyone, so I want to see that sort of stuff. 
  
  We also chose jack...we paid $650 for ceremony, reception, fully edited, chaptered dvd and the raw footage. 
  
  Video is super important to me...I majored in mass comm and it's a part of my everyday life...I also loved watching my parents wedding video growing up, so I want my future kids to enjoy it too someday!

  
  At sea, heading to Lisbon, Portugal

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• Bonnie&Clyde77

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

   We are getting one because we have also been told that the days go by so fast that you don't remember it, plus I want to know what my guests are doing and saying since we are having a fairly large wedding. We found a company, Stomping Bread Productions, that has a lot of good packages for fairly cheap.

  

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• Kim84m member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I didn't have a videographer, and I regret it.  I just had my brother do some video, and when I watched it, it instantly brought me back to that day, and I got to hear things people were saying, etc. But the video is really blurry and really shaky. I spent a lot of my photography, and I love my pictures, but they don't bring out the same amount of emotion as video does.  If I could do it over, I still don't think I'd pay 4k on video, but I wish I had at least hired someone that would have given me a clear sharp video.

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• demarcosjd

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I think it depends on what is important to you. Just because someone says you should get one doesn't mean it is something you and your FI will truly cherish and enjoy. MH and I knew we didn't want one and are happy we stood our ground. For us pictures are so much more important.
  
  My BM's for my shower all chipped in and got us a nice digital video camera. We paid my sisters friend $75 for the day to tape everything and also gave her a plate at the reception. We watched our video once, it was nice to see things captured and we had a few good laughs but I don't think it would have been much different if we had a friend tape it or spend tons of money for a professional to get the same enjoyment out of it. 
  
  We are not one of those couples when friends come over that we are like, hey lets put on the wedding video! I don't know the next time we will watch it again. Technology is always changing and who is to say a DVD will even be around in 10 years. We have been to weddings with a videographer and depending on who you pick they could be like paparzzi with bright lights in your face and over the top. We've also been to 2 weddings where the dance floor was clear because many of the guests didn't want to be taped dancing. I think it's a personal choice so do what works best for you and your FI.

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• miguelhilary2010

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  We did not get a videographer.  I didn't want to pay for it to be honest.  I have yet to see the finished product, but good friends of mine recorded the ceremony and parts of the reception for me.  They said what they have is good and they're just editing it (he's a tech geek) before they give me the finished product.
  
  Definitely make this decision based on what you want.  Don't spend the extra money if you really don't think you want video.  I know for us, we would watch it a couple times, then it will sit collecting dust forever, so it just wasn't worth the investment.
  
  Good luck!
  

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• Musicheals71 member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  I got a very inexpensive videographer recommended by another Knottie on the Philly board who gives you a whole lot for very little money, including 5 DVDs, and I'm very excited to see the final product!  Our package includes HM pics added to the end of it, so as soon as we get back from our delayed honeymoon (we're going on a cruise 10/28-11/7), I will submit HM pics to him, and it should be completey ready after he adds them since he's been working on it since after the wedding!  To me, having taped, moving memories of my special day was very important; just having still pics was not enough!

  

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• Rangergirl

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  Thank you all for your words of advice!! Ironically after seeing all the responses, my FI has now decided he also wants a videographer. I'm still worried about where to fit it in the budget however based on your recommendations of Jack Otepka, I may see if he's available because that price would definitely fit into our budget. Thanks so much for your help ladies

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• Musicheals71 member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  Rangergirl:  if Jack Otepka isn't available, try calling my videographer, David Pfafman, at 856-627-2184.  He was recommended to me by a Philly Knottie.  He doesn't have a website, but he will let you see DVDs of his work upon request.  He only costs $650, and you get 5 DVDs included!

  

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• lmparlett member

  

  October 2010 edited December 2011

  My hubby wanted a video... I didn't really car.  Now I am SOOOOO glad we have it!! I love it, and am so glad to have it to show to my kids someday.  It's really neat to actually be able to watch the ceremony, and to re-live the reception (and see moments you didn't get to see that night). My videographer was great, but not as inexpensive as others on here.

  

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