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One of the most important things to us in this planning process is making memories that we can relive for a lifetime. Because of that we chose a great photographer (more on that another day), and we’re looking forward to all of the awesome photo spots that our venue now holds. We want to be able to look at these pictures with our children someday and have them see how magical it was for us.
One of the things we thought we didn’t need was video proof of the day. I mean, who ever watches those things, right? They get tossed in a cabinet somewhere and forgotten. Right. That’s what we said.
But then I perused a ton of wedding boards where people say it was the best decision they made to hire a videographer. And those who didn’t say it’s their biggest regret. And it’s not just one person; it’s TONS of people. So I started to waiver.
Then I see something awesome like this highlight video of Mrs. Dolphin’s wedding, and I melt. Of course I would watch that! And I’d share it with people who couldn’t be there! And I could see the moment we got married over and over and over. I would always remember.
Mr. Lox is not thrilled with me right now. Because as badly as I’d like video, it’s really not in the budget. I mean, really, it’s not. I tried bringing it up to him, and he was definitely not receptive.
So tell me: how do you feel about hiring a videographer? Worth it or unnecessary expense? And if it’s worth it, anyone know of a cheap one in the Baltimore area?
Everyone I know who has gotten video has watched only the 2-5 minute clip of their wedding and never actually sat through the whole thing. If they have sat through the whole thing, they did it once.
We had a friend tape our wedding on a home camcorder, and my parents took video of the toasts and stuff on their regular cameras, and I haven’t watched any of it. I also sit down and look through our pictures *constantly* but I know that I’m probably never actually going to sit down and watch the video. Am I glad that some part of our day was captured on video? Yes. Am I happy that I didn’t throw away a lot of money on a professionally shot and edited something I will never watch? Yes.
There’s also something about video that…it’s great, but it also…shakes off the glitter. I know that if I watch the video, it will interfere with my memory of how the day went, and my memory of the day is simply lovely. I really think instead of getting a pro, you can just ask a friend to tape it. Sure, it won’t be as amazing quality, but trust me, if you have amazing photos, an amateur video will be fine to fill in any memory gaps.
I am a total photo person, so I was shocked at how much I loved our video. We’ve only seen the raw footage, as we chose a package that gives an edited one and a longer mostly unedited one. There are so many moments that get captured in the video and it’s impossible to capture that many in photos. There were so many things I forgot about or msised, until we saw the video. I am extremely pro-video now! 
You took the words right out of my mouth. Sadly, unless we come into some extra money, we just can’t work it into the budget that has already been exceeded. So, so sad. 
worth it! even if you can’t afford a professional. hire a kid off of craigslist or pay your cousin. anything is better than nothing. good luck!
I say worth it - we didnt have a videographer and its one of the things I really wish we had done. I dont care if I would never watch the whole thing - watching the highlight reel over and over again would be good enough for me!
The video is totally worth it (if you can find a reasonable price). We did a trade of services with our videographer. I can watch our highlight reel over and over and over again. Every time I see it, the video takes me right back to that day, that moment in our lives. We just recently got our wedding DVD in the mail and I sent a snippet of our vows to Mr. Dolphin’s Mom. She called me back and said she cried happy tears for 30 minutes after watching it. She was so happy to see his vows because during the ceremony someone (for some crazy reason) was standing right in front of her. So the video let her finally see that moment she missed.
Thanks for the shout out Miss Lox!!!! <3
We decided (and by “we” I mean my Mom and I…) last minute that we really wanted something to remember the day by on video. We searched and searched for cheap videographers and we just couldn’t find one. I decided if I wanted a good video, we were going to have to pay big bucks for it. We didn’t have big bucks left in the budget for video, unfortunately.
A friend of my Mom’s ended up taking some video of the ceremony and reception and gave us the dvd for free. It’s enough to see our wedding if we ever want to see it again.
One thing I would suggest is if you ask a friend to do it, have them talk to the photographers beforehand. My Mom’s friend ended up standing at the front of the chapel the whole ceremony and bugged some of the guests and my MOH because he was practically on top of us all (small chapel). He also was standing where our readers needed to stand. Definitely coordinate beforehand.
Final word: if you have a small budget, don’t do videography. Use that money towards your physical pictures. You can’t hang a video on the wall.
I was in the same situation. We hired a GREAT photographer with the understanding we wouldn’t have a videographer. Until snippets around the blogging world convinced me otherwise and my FI was NOT happy. I shopped around until I found a reasonable price and quality that I liked (a hard combination to find).
I am having the same second thoughts about a videographer with the same response from my FI. I’m still hoping to build it in somehow. *sigh*
I’m right there with you, lady. It’s that ONE thing I just had to let go of even though I wanted it SO SO SO bad. I say if you can squeeze it in, go for it, but if not, from what I hear DIY vids aren’t so bad afterall! Good luck making your decision!
@Mrs. Dolphin: Oh man Mrs. D! You make it sound so worth it!!
I also say it’s worth it! I used a super affordable photographer in the Baltimore area and the money I paid (in my opinion) was worth the trailer video alone! We also have the longer footage from the rest of the day and while I may not watch it often, I’m still glad I have it (but I watch the trailer A LOT). Here’s my video: http://vimeo.com/12386938. The company is called Sprocket Pro Video. PM me for more details!
We had no intention of having a videographer until I got an email from a vendor from a bridal show I didn’t attend (that he just bought an email list from) offering a $500 package. I’m glad we have it, but I’ve watched it once since we married 8 months ago, so I’m glad I didn’t shell out multiple thousands like a friend of mine did. It’s not HD or BluRay or anything fancy, but it’s a reminder of the day, which is what I wanted it for!
A video was something I was on the fence about for a long time, but we decided to go for it and I am so, so happy we did. There are so many parts of the day I flat out didn’t remember (or wasn’t there for, like the boys getting ready) and it was great to be able to see those. If nothing else, it was worth it to be able to see and hear our vows and the toasts at our reception. Yes, we have pictures of those moments, but being able to watch us tear up as we said our vows and seeing my dad making me cry during our father-daughter dance was so worth it to me.
We hired a videographer. I fell in love with her gorgeous videos and knew i had to have her. We did some maneuvering in our budget and made it work. At the time, I couldn’t understand how someone wouldn’t want to have a super expensive, fully edited movie of their day.
Then I saw a friend’s video. They just paid for the raw footage of their wedding, and they were ecstatic. They can go back and relieve their vows and cry and kiss. They can fast forward to the best man speech that had the whole place cracking up, or go back to the crazy entrances, or to the crazy uncle who started stripping in the middle of the dance floor (true story!).
The point is, I think anyone who has ANY video of their wedding, be it a camcorder video done by a friend, or a professionally done uber expensive video, is going to be glad they do. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend or what the final product looks like. It’s being able to go back with your hubby or close friends, and say, ahhhh, that was a wonderful day!
Good luck!
Get it get it get it! We thought the same thing, and were convinced by a friend to get it. We watched it as soon as we got it and I definitely plan on watching it more. Our only regret was that we didn’t get the upgraded HD filming (when you’re used to watching HD tv regularly, a standard dvd is quite a shock!) Anyhow, we used Blue Sky Films, and they are in the Baltimore area. I was very happy with their product and they are very accommodating to your budget and what’s important in your video. All of their filming is now HD only, so you won’t have to worry about the predicament we had. Good luck!!! It’s definitely worth it!
i’m also a photo person, but at the last minute, we had less guests coming than we originally planned for, so we had room in the budget for video. it was the best thing we ever did. we also received our vows about 6 months after the wedding and we cried listening to them. go for it, any way you can!
Unfortunately, it’s not in our budget either unless some miracle happens. Our plan is to have someone record at least the the ceremony and the toasts later on. I’d be happy with that, I think
Although, if you somehow win the lotto, totally go for it!
I loved my video We;ve watched it several times, especially the Highlight section. It was great to have it to show grandparents who couldn’t attend for health reasons. I think my videographer Video Visions out of West Virginia might travel to the Baltimore area. I thought he was very reasonable and great to work with. We had eight hours of coverage, but I think he sells smaller packages also.
I’m probably the lone naysayer but I’m not super drawn to videography for my wedding. There’s something about the polished editing and music that would make it feel like a TV show montage to me. [This is just my opinion about my own wedding. I've seen a lot of lovely, touching videos out there!] I was at a wedding once where, between the photographers and videographer swooping around the couple, it was tough to talk to/hang out with them without getting in someone’s shot.
Of course, that said, I often bemoan the fact that there are exactly 2 existing videos of my fiance as a kid. Sad! There are a million of me; my Mom works in TV.
Interestingly, my FI–who also works in TV and is a total video nerd–also doesn’t want to have pro video at our wedding. Adamantly.
I’m sure someone will be toting a flip camera though….
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Mrs. Lox, Baltimore Age and Occupation: 33, Government Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35. IT Consultant Engagement Date: May 8, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Vandiver Inn About Me: I’m an East Coast gal born and bred and a suburban brat turned city rat for the last year. Now Mr. Lox and I enjoy walking all kinds of places, having the coolest things around in our backyard, and especially our garage parking. I love gadgets, toys, Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, monkeys, and our insane cats. I’m a blonde by birth and a redhead by choice. I’m that girl in the cubicle farm with all the cool toys and the file cabinet covered in magnetic poetry. I still use smiley faces in my emails, whether people like it or not. This is not the first rodeo for Mr. Lox nor me. And together, we are planning an intimate afternoon wedding on a budget we can afford by ourselves.
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