Wedding Blog
We’ve hit the big 1-0-0 mark on the countdown.
Okay, I’m officially freaking out.
To make matters worse, Mr. Lab and I have been fighting. And it’s about something that we should not even be arguing about: the “need” for a wedding cinematographer.
It’s a long story and I won’t get into the specifics. We’ve finally come to a compromise and I don’t want to open up any fresh wounds. But boy was it exhausting. He basically didn’t see any reason to have a wedding film made, no matter the cost, because he—along with the backup of some of his recently married guy friends—felt like the film would never be viewed; thus, making it worthless.
To me, having a wedding cinematographer ranks up in the top 3 most important things to have on the day of the wedding.
I didn’t care what it costs (of course I’ll go for the cheapest option I can while maintaining high quality of work). It’s our one day that we’ve (read: ME) been planning for nearly a year and I want every moment captured on film to cherish for as long as we live. It’s about having a record of our day for not just us, but also friends and family and the future family he and I will create one day.
But once I began researching cinematographers in our area, I realized quickly that the East Coast is lagging behind on people trained in this emerging wedding must-have. I get that there are options to have friends film for you or to find someone on Craigslist. But I’m a journalism student who works with a camera daily, so I have a higher standard than most when it comes to shooting and editing a “story”. I also want to avoid any potential for regret due to hiring an amateur. Because of this, people who fit my standards ended up on the higher end of the price spectrum. This didn’t sit pretty with Mr. Lab, despite the fact that these options technically still fit within our predetermined budget.
In the end, we had a long talk a couple nights ago and finally reached a compromise.
Even though these cinematographers I found fit within our budget, I could still find ways to cut back in other areas to save money further to make the cinematographer “cost less”. I could also continue my search for more affordable cinematographers before putting down a deposit without truly taking time to think over the options. Mr. Lab realized how much it means to me to have a wedding film and I realized how much it meant to him that we didn’t spend out the butt for it just because we could (within our budget).
So I’m currently in contact with my photographer to cut a few options out of our package (like the rehearsal dinner coverage and bridal portrait session). And I’m going to put up ad on Craigslist just to see if there might be some very talented SCAD students who can fulfill my high expectations without draining our wallets.
But we also decided that if I can’t find someone by the end of the weekend, we will go with one of the cinematographers I’ve already found, because time is a-tickin’. Many options have already been booked for our day. It’s now or never!
I can finally sit back and enjoy our 100-day mark with a little less stress weighing down on me. *ahhhh*
I guess this is what the whole “marriage” thing is about, huh? Compromise is a beautiful thing.
|
Share this post: Holy Crap! (And Our First Wedding-Induced Fight)
OMG my fiance and I just had a fight about the wedding last night. I feel really stressed out (we only have 30 days!) and he’s totally relaxed. Because he has no idea how much time it takes to plan a wedding! But I am so glad you two worked it out. We did too - it’s all about compromise and hearing the other person.
We had a huge fight and compromise last week - same with printonbride we’re only about 30 days out though. For us, the end in sight seems to be more stressful for us. I just can’t wait for all the wedding planning and decisions to be over. I know there will always be things like this, but for some reason the wedding seems to stress us out more than anything else ever has.
I think it’s great that you guys compromised on this. I love how you saw his point that just because it fit in your budget, it doesn’t mean you have to spend that whole amount and he saw the value of having your wedding day captured on video in a quality way.
Good luck with your last 100 days! 
Somehow I missed the 100 day mark. However, I can totally relate on the freaking out part. I’m glad y’all were able to find a compromise!
That facebook countdown totally daunts me, too! And people think I’m weird for always knowing the exact day count, but I can’t get away from it! It’s right on my facebook profile!
I cut from the budget in places to make my family okay with how much we were spending in other places, too. Great compromise!
Booo….you’ve gotten me started thinking I need one too!
And, let me say, I agree with Star…just seeing that countdown sent me into a mini-freak out…but my number is HALF of your number…ahhh!
Man I wish this was something Mr BC would even consider.
Even if filmography were free, he too would still be staunchly against it - but for different reasons.
Mr Bear Cub thinks that personal memories of life events are indescribably more precious and meaningful than physical/tangible tokens of the memory. He thinks it’s trite to have photography, even! He cringes when he hears that someone arranged to have a marriage proposal photographed or even (god forbid) filmed. He thinks it lessens the value of the memory.
I would also love to have some sort of film from our wedding day. But for my philosophically-minded Mr, he can’t come to terms with “degrading” our memories of the event by having it filmed. psha.
I did NOT want to shell out for a videographer but there is so much I don’t remember! I am so glad we did it. We found a guy on CL for $250! I can’t speak to the quality of his work b/c we haven’t gotten our dvd back yet. I am crossing my fingers. Good luck with your cinematographer. I wish we had put a bit more $ into ours, but I won’t poo-poo until I’ve seen his work.
Bear Cub, Stiletto-GET A VIDEOGRAPHER! There is too much you won’t remember–you will cherish watching it on your anniversaries (and showing it to your kids-I wish my parents had a movie of their wedding.) Once I get my DVD back, I can give you my videographer’s info, Stiletto. I have another recommendation as well who’s only $500-$600.
Everyone who’s debating - get one! My FI doesn’t really feel it either, but I’ve insisted.
After my brother and SIL got married, we watched the video so much (more than we looked at the pictures). It was so fun to catch parts you missed, see people dancing, etc. And for people that couldn’t make the wedding, it was a great way to share the day with them.
My aunt had a video when she got married 20+ years ago, and we watch it during holidays, it’s great. Her video wasn’t fancy (and thankfully avoided a lot of the 80’s music/cheezy graphics) but it’s such a nice thing to have now, all those years later.
At the very least, a cousin or friend should be filming the wedding ceremony. I don’t care if you never think you will watch it EVER…have someone film it!
So glad you and Mr. Lab reached a compromise - yay!!
Hey Miss Lab, I know a couple of SCAD students (one of which is my wedding photog and future bro-in-law) that do great work. Actually, my future bro-in-law has been doing a decent amount of wedding work in prep for our wedding next March. He’s got a VERY artistic style, not quite classic wedding style. But hey, classic wedding style went out in the 90’s right? Send me an email if you are interested in contacting them.
Glad you got your way, neither of you will ever regret having a wedding cinematographer!
hey Miss Lab! Wedding Cinematography was something i realized pretty late in the game was a necessity! 
I search around and found Superium Productions (in Birmingham, AL…but they are willing to travel) and booked them right away. Since we booked them so late in the game I was really limited in budget at that point, but their prices are really reasonable. PLUS, they really worked with me to get what i wanted to fit into my budget….and they’re super nice people to boot! We haven’t gotten back our video (or our highlights yet)…but I can’t wait to see them! Check out some of their work here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIV_St0qk4 This is the video that i saw and determined that they would be able to accomplish what i was looking for. Good luck with your search!
While I agree that it will be a valuable memory to have a film of our wedding, I really don’t feel the need for it to be this glamorous, perfectly-edited, music video of a creation. We’re not actors and we’re not making a movie. Even though I am myself a professional photographer, I am perfectly happy with an amateur family-made video. Those are always funnier, anyway, and it definitely won’t break the bank!
Not quite sure what your budget is, but just thought I would recommend Atlanta Wedding Productions (atlwed.com). It took me a long time to find the right videographers in GA - turns out you have to search “wedding cinema” instead of “wedding video” in google to get anything worthwhile. They’re under $2000 and it can be in HD - so maybe you can appeal to the high-tech side in your fiance.
Oh, and Go Dawgs!
I’m glad you and Mr. Lab worked it out! It’s wonderful to see that he understands your point of view (after all, you did spend all this time planning the wedding) and that you also gave in a little as well. In the end, I’m sure he’ll see the value of it when you guys watch the end video. Congrats and goodluck on finding a great videographer!
I’ve been trying to weigh the pros and cons on having a videographer. For some reason, my biggest con is that I’m scared something will go wrong, and then we’ll have it on video to remember forever! I’m sorry, I know that sounds really bad! I also don’t want to spend a large amount of money on this if we’re already paying for a really good photographer. However, looking on Craigslist is a good idea.
my family is planning a family reunion and it is so great seeing pictues from back in the day; family I never met or who have passed away.
I lost my mom when I was only 5 yrs. old and I only have 3 picutures of her and my dad, they ar from their wedding day.
So take lots and lots of pictures for the future family members!!! If you can swing a video, go for it!! Unfortunately people/family pass away along with their memories and stories, but those photos will be forever and cherished by future generations.
congrats on the compromise-yes, that is what marriage and love is all about.
That’s awesome that that was your first fight! My fiance and I have been engaged for 13 months now and we fight all the time about wedding stuff. You are lucky to have not had a wedding related fight until the 100 day mark!
we had this argument/discussion a couple times, and he won out. We had a family friend film the ceremony and that’s it!
I totally regret it, but nothing I can do now!
We are at our 100 day mark as well! My FI and I both went back and forth about this one but luckily his best man’s brother is a professional videographer for the naval academy so at least it’s not just a friend with a camera. Although it wasn’t as important to me, my cousin paid a lot for hers and right now it’s just collecting dust!!
We are close to booking a videographer, but I am really torn at this point. The one I LOVE makes amazing movies, is expensive but we are okay with the splurge, only thing is, he films without sound and sets it to music. I love the results and after having watched countless other videos, I keep going back to his. But I’m afraid I will regret not having the sound. We are planning to have a friend film the ceremony with our HD videocamera, and hopefully they will catch the toasts, other sound, etc. I don’t know if I’ll be sad in the future to not hear the sound, or if it will be worth it to have a video that I watch more often. I just can’t see myself wanting to watch any of these other videos ever again.
I JUST booked ours 30 days before our wedding - even thoough the FI didn’t think it was important either…. but I’ve decided to put the cost aside - this is a day I will NEVER get back… AND we can still have someone go around with a homemade camera to get well-wishers, the “homemade” feel of a personal tape and the profoessional! Even if Mr. B never watches it - I’m sure I’ll crack open a bottle of sparkly every anniversary! Wouldn’t you love to see your parent’s or grandparent’s wedding day???
Yay! I’m so glad I’m not the only who feels so strongly about a wedding film. I’m really glad Mr. Lab and I worked it all out. I’ve put up my ad on CL and have my fingers crossed that maybe something of the same quality for a better price comes along! I’m also looking into all the suggestions some of you made. Thanks!
@Hayley: The one I have as a back up is Three Ring Media. I just called Life Stage today and they’ve already booked our day! 
Awww I see how that could be frustrating! I hadn’t even put a videographer in our original budget/list of must-haves, and now I have been re-thinking it…and when I mentioned it to the FI, he looked at me like I was speaking another language. Hmmmm
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah
Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station
About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics