Wedding Blog

My future father in law is going to set up a movie camera in the back of the chapel to record our ceremony - could you arrange something like that so you’ll have a record of the event itself? It won’t be sweeping and gorgeous like the professional videography you see online, but it will record the moment when you exchange vows and that’s the important part, right?

I didn’t regret it one bit. I didn’t want some sleek edited version of our wedding day, and I didn’t want a huge video camera and a blinding light all up in our space all day (I’ve seen too many first dance that were the bride + groom + videographer). A few friends videoed for us and put it together. It’s great– it’s REAL– not some movie-version of our day. They captured great moments, and it tells the guests’ story, too.

I am not married yet, but I was talking to one of my bridesmaids about this the other day. I never really cared for the wedding video. I thought I would get one, but get someone cheap. Then I was talking to my BM and she was saying how you have tons of friends and family taking pictures of you on the day of your wedding day, but there is only really one person filming. You will have tons of pictures to look at, but only onew video and don’t you want that to be quality? I changed my view on this. I think I would regret not having it, but it also depends on what you both want and its tought because no one wants to go into debt for their wedding so I can see we’re your both coming from. I personally think video and photo take top priority on the budget because if your spending thousands on this one day, why not splurge a little more to rememeber it!

My hubby’s uncle had a camera and recorded bits, but like Ms. Avacado, it did not turn out well. He kept turning it on and off. We have my vows, but not my husband’s, which makes me sad.

On the other hand, most of the stuff besides the vows is people dancing, which is boring and awkward to watch, so I wouldn’t have wanted to spend a ton of money on it. Most brides I know who did only watch it a handful of times in their entire life.

I will say I was antivideography prior to our wedding saying really all that extra money, will we ever watch it and who wants this guy in our face all day. But after our wedding that is one of my biggest regrets. We had two family members who were supposed to record the ceremony for us but one had her battery die and the other one couldnt get any good shots in our church because it was just too dark for the camera without extra lighting. Mind you this is at 3 in the afternoon in a reasonably well lit chuch to the eye so we had no idea it would be an issue until the ceremony had started.

So we ended up with NO video at all. So yes you can have someone DIY it for you but just realize you may ultimatly end up with nothing or as Mrs. Avocado said not what you wanted and what are you going to say to your family member/friend? You cant exactly be mad at them since they were doing you a favor in the first place but it is very disappointing. Especially when you realize how much of the day you miss (groom’s entrance, bridemaids entering etc) and how much you quickly forget or would like to have that pictures simply cant capture.

For example the town fire station, which was right next to our church, apparently got called for a fire during our ceremony and the fire siren went off Literally (I kid you not) at the moment we lit our unity candle. We were both busting out laughing and so what our family but that is something that film without sound and motion just couldnt capture.

So ultimatly my two cents would be if you really want a videographer find the cash, you wont regret it.

Well, there are both sides to this obviously, but I changed my mind way into planning and did have a videographer. I am SO GLAD I changed my mind. You have no idea how fast that day goes by and after all the HOURS of planning, it is so nice to have it documented. Especially the ceremony. That just was a blur with all the emotions going on during that time. The video makes me cry every time and I am so thankful to have it. We plan to watch it every year on our anniversary to remind ourselves of how we felt that day.

And, to add to the budget discussion, we did not have the most unbelievable videographer, but it was what we could afford and the most important thing to me was to get the ceremony. If there is no money left in the budget, I would consider at least putting the camera on a tripod to catch the ceremony. It’s so different to be able to hear your voices than looking at pictures.

Recently, my fiancee’s aunt told me that one of her distant relatives sent her video of the aunt’s wedding that she never new existed. She was so touched by it that she cried just telling me about watching it. She had plenty of photos, but the watching the video with family members that have been gone for a long time laughing and talking was priceless. I think it’s one of the greatest things to have, and I have heard many brides regret not having one. Even if you pick a friend or family member, I would do something. I think it’s a neat idea to make it more of a time capsule thing, after hearing my fiancee’s aunt’s story, although it would certainly test my willpower!

@Mrs. Avocado: that is EXACTLY what i fear happening. on a much smaller scale, that is why i can’t watch my college graduation video…my sister got so excited [bless her heart] that she started clapping so you see the ground and not me walking across the stage!

that said, i’m doing my best to find a way to work a videographer into the budget. i hope it works.

[...] crunching, and back and forth, we have decided not to hire a videographer. You may remember that we were debating it, but we just couldn’t work the company we wanted into our budget and didn’t want to settle for [...]