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As I reviewed our handy checklist from The Knot, I’m sad to report we weren’t able to check off any of the items with the exception of photography! Well, sort of. We considered videography a ‘nice to have’, not a ‘must have’. It was never at the top of our priority list.
Reasons being: 1) we had already splurged on our photographer, 2) friends commented that their wedding DVD collects dust on their shelves, 3) I sound so nasal-y all the time (thank your lucky stars you only see me and not hear me through the screen), and 4) this one goes hand-in-hand with #1, but we just didn’t have room in our budget for a videographer.
While most of our friends claim they never watch their wedding video, I’m sure down the line when we have our own kids planning their own weddings, being able to show them the video when mama and papa Pigster tied the knot will be priceless. Remember the Friends episode when the gang was watching Jennifer and Monica get dolled up for prom? Yes, I want a moment like that. 
The videographer package we selected is great. While we are sacrificing on quality, we do get unlimited coverage throughout the day. I’m sort of envisioning a video resembling the camera stability in the Blair Witch Project; but nevertheless, meet our videographer!
Now, it’s just a matter of finding someone willing to capture footage. We want someone that wants to do it, versus us having to ask them, “Do you mind having this as an extension of your hand during our wedding?”
Who captured your wedding footage?
we’re doing the same thing! we totally splurged on our photography too. the mr’s uncle is filming everything and then a family friend who does film-editing for a living is of course doing the final touches. hope yours turns out well Miss Piglet!
Smart move, making sure the person who assists you is willing to play the role of videographer. Who knows? You might uncover a hidden talent of one of your guests!
My Dad’s friend. He did an okay job but he cut off in a lot of important places…I was kind of annoyed about those, but at least we have SOME bits!
We are doing this as well! I’m planning to have 3 cameras film for the day… for sure I’ll be able to get the footage I want 
Also, just picked up the new iLife 09. There’s video editing program called iMovie which I’ll be using to put together our edited wedding video For Mac users out there, it’s worth checking out!
I’d hire someone. Maybe a local art student or something.
Now, I don’t have experience in this sort of thing, but I do know that even though I’d love to capture the footage, I wouldn’t have wanted to be on the sidelines for my cousin’s wedding, for instance.
Or maybe you can delegate it - have someone film the ceremony, someone film the first part of the reception, pass the camcorder around during dinner, and have a third person film during the last legs of the party?
Best to keep the thing running the whole time! The more footage the better, you can always edit!
Good luck
good idea.. it did cross my mind but I didn’t know if I was making the wrong decision!
We’re doing this too, so that we an have a camera for our HM too!
Think we’re going the same route. I think I’ll treasure our photos much more than the video.
LMAO @ “Do you mind having this as an extension of your hand during our wedding?” hahahahaha
We’re not sure about having a video or not yet… I guess if it fits in the budget we’ll do it, but then the thought of mot having it kinda makes me sad, especially after Mrs. Avocado’s post.
At the last wedding I went to, my FI was a groom’s men and I did not know many people at the wedding. I offered to video all the important moments of the wedding. It worked out really well because it gave me a way to inadvertently be a part of the festivities since I would be hanging around anyways. It was a lot of fun actually. Maybe try mentioning it around a significant other of a groom’s men?
Make sure you have someone really committed. Our friend that had said he would completely forgot his camera. Luckily, DH’s uncle had one. Since he hadn’t actually been asked, he just filmed whatever. Its not bouncy at all during the filming, but he cut out a lot of good stuff. For example, all we have are the first line of my vows and one of the middle lines of his. Really sad. And yet, we have hours of embarrassing dancing footage. Be VERY specific about what you want filmed.
we are having our friends and family all bring cameras as well.
My fiance is a wicked good video editor, working in progressive youth ministry services for six years and having new videos each week- so we are going to put together our own highlight dvd after the fact. im really excited because i know we will have video from a bunch of differnet people from the whole weekend of the wedding. hooray!
Wedding videographers are always so far down on the list, and that is sad because it should be one of the top venders. There is always room in the budget to add video if you cut back on other things that aren’t as important. Photos and video are going to be the only things left after the wedding is over! Photos are great but they are not going to tell the story of the day.
Couples that say their wedding DVD collects dust on the shelf probably hired a “wedding videographer” and not a “wedding filmmaker”. There is a big difference in the production quality and storytelling techniques from one to the other. There is an new blogger here on WeddingBee that is an amazing “wedding filmmaker”, you should check out his blog to get more educated about this subject - http://www.weddingbeepro.com/2009/02/02/hello-everyone/
Good luck with all your upcoming weddings! Do some research to find good wedding filmmakers in your area. This is what you are missing out on - http://www.joesimonproductions.blogspot.com/2008/12/keely-kyles-hd-wedding-highlights.html
Joe Simon
I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing, since our budget has no room for a videographer, either. Just make sure that your shooter has a battery backup on hand so that the camera doesn’t die halfway through something important!!
Maybe this could be a fun job for a responsible, older teen in your family?
It’s all about priorities and perspective. Why is it that you would never ask a friend or family member to be your photographer at your wedding? With this mindset about just buying a video camera and handing it to a friend or family member, why not just get your grandmother to sew your wedding dress? There is nothing wrong with getting a friend or family member to video your wedding if you are on a budget. But there is something wrong with not being educated on the consequences of not valuing a professional video or wedding film. Before I list some examples of consequences for a Do It Yourself video mindset, let me just say that the reason most people don’t watch their wedding videos is because brides and grooms empower people with poor/mediocre video skills to create something on iLife ‘09. I wouldn’t watch it either. Think about what you miss when you ask a friend or family member to video your wedding.
1. A camera like the one pictured above won’t be able to record ANY remotely audible voices, the vows, the toasts. You’ll be watching mouths move, trying to remember what was said.
2. Details that you spent thousands of dollars on, food, music, venues, and of course people present, won’t be documented.
3. By getting a friend/family member, you just essentially invited them to your wedding to imprison them all day, chaining them to a camera, giving them expectations to get all the details. Even if they get all the details, they just spent a day working instead of celebrating with you, their other family and friends.
4. After you get your family member to film it, not only did you make them work for admission to your wedding, but you will never watch you video because you’ll get seasick.
5. Professionals know where to be, when to be there. They know how to not get in guests way, or step in front of your photographer as to not mess up your pictures too. They get the tiny details that every bride and groom cherish, but never remember on the wedding day. And the right ones, make it look better and more emotional than when it actually happened!
Wedding Videos have changed. Brides need to be educated on the options out there, because they are truly missing out on something amazing. Yes, there are HORRIBLE wedding videos out there, but the longer there are attitudes like this about wedding videos, the longer people have to suffer with poor quality video. Capturing your memories still not in the budget? Serve the chicken instead of the Filet Mignon. Nix the Chair covers. Having a sit down dinner? Invite 10 less people. Its easy to be creative with your budget when videography is a priority. But it can only be a priority when people see the difference. Listen to these couples and see what you will miss. http://www.blog.lifestagevideography.com/?page_id=131
I’m going to ask Mr. SR’S BIL record our ceremony, first dance, and cake cutting Mr. SR did so for Sister SR’s wedding, and although it wasn’t professional, it was free.
One of the groomsmen often has to be told to stop recording things (he was actually “detained” in DC once for videotaping the Supreme Court building in a suspicious manner, and having seen the footage in question, I don’t blame them), so his wife covered the ceremony and he happily did everything else. A friend of the groom’s parents also recorded anything that moved (and some things that didn’t) while they were in town, and actually edited and burned a DVD two days after the wedding.
Now, that being said…I’ve watched the groomsman’s video once, and the friend’s video once at 4x speed. Maybe when I’m crotchety and old and pining for my youth, but for now, eh.
DON’T DO IT!! My first daughter got married and we did not hire a videographer and it was a huge mistake. When my second daughter got married, we hired a videographer and it was AWESOME! The difference was INCREDIBLE! It was creative and personal and my first daughter is so jealous that we didn’t pay for a videographer at her wedding. You’ve hired professionals for everything else because professionals do better work than amateurs. My son will be getting married soon and we started planning the wedding around the videographer’s availability. That’s how important it is! You spend all this money to have a beautiful venue and get all these wonderful people together and it is a huge mistake to leave the memories of that day to a guest. Half the responses on this post are telling you about people who did not hire a videographer and the person they gave a camera to didn’t do a good job. Yet, they’re still not telling you to hire a videographer. Don’t listen to those people. You will be infinitely happier and your family and friends will be happier if you hire the right professional for the job. Don’t just hire a videographer, hire the best one you can find!
Some of the comments to this post make me even more convinced that I don’t want a videographer….
Brides may need to be educated about the options out there, but so must some videographers realize that having a video of their wedding just really is not a priority for everyone and it isn’t just because some people think videos are cheesy and aren’t educated about the quality of some videographers.
No matter how amazing the quality of the video, I’d rather serve my guests filet mignon and invite all the people that are important to me. Yes you can be creative with your budget if videography is important to you but obviously it isn’t important to everyone.
Additionally, there -are- people that ask friends or family to take photographs for them if that isn’t a priority and there are people that ask their grandmother’s to sew their wedding dresses. Not everyone can afford to splurge and hire professionals for every part of their wedding.
No matter how skillfully captured, watching my vows again are not important to me– I don’t like watching myself talk on film. As it is we will not be having a first dance and I am hoping toasts will be kept to a minimum because I am very shy– I’m not going to want to watch them on tape.
Finally, some people are going to want to videotape even if you don’t ask them…Miss Piglet said she wanted to ask someone who would actually enjoy it so I really don’t think she is going to be “imprisoning” someone.
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Mrs. Piglet, Virginia/Oahu Age and Occupation: 28, Consultant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Entrepreneur/Fashion Apparel Wholesale Importer Engagement Date: June 22, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: Ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Phase II private estate, reception at a historic hotel in Waikiki About Me: I'm an East Coast gal with intense road rage and an addiction to romantic comedies, fast food, gadgets, Korean BBQ, and my wiener dog George aka Georgia May. I carry mustard packets in my purse and I love perusing the aisles at discount stores. A self proclaimed shopaholic, I impulsively buy electronics, software, and craft tools; none of which I know how to use. I'm excited to dust these babies off and immerse myself in DIY projects galore in preparation for our DW in paradise!
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