Weddingbee Blog

I never thought that Mr. Mole and I would hire a videographer for our wedding. We talked about it very briefly, then crossed that line out on Martha Stewart’s wedding budgeting tool. There were a couple of reasons for our decision. First, we had some trouble coming up with occasions when we would watch the video. Anniversaries, maybe. But when else? At dinner parties with unsuspecting guests? (Suprise! Here’s a video of us!) When Mad Men was on re-runs? I was talked into buying a DVD of my college graduation, and almost eight years later I have yet to even crack open the case.

Second, we worried that a videographer would feel intrusive at our small wedding. I have attended weddings where the videographer is front and center during the ceremony, creating a barrier between the bride and groom and their guests. From my “research” (read: my compulsive viewing of Four Weddings on TLC) I know that this is often a huge complaint of guests. I suppose that these guests could just watch the video later, but I wanted everyone to be able to have a clear and unobstructed view of the real deal.

Image via WeddingVideographyHouston.com

Third, we decided that we’d rather take the money that we’d spend on a videographer and spread that cash among other categories in our budget. It doesn’t seem like a lot of money in the long run, but another $1,000–2,000 means nicer wine at dinner, an upgraded room at our hotel, and some extra trips snorkeling on our honeymoon.

So imagine my surprise that Mr. Mole and I are going to end up with a video of our wedding after all! You see, the package that we picked at the Wynn in Las Vegas includes a DVD of our ceremony. (I almost typed “complimentary DVD” but that’s never the case with weddings!) That eliminates reason #3 on our list.

Wynn Lavender Chapel

See those odd looking black ovals on either side of the altar? Behind them are video cameras. There is also a third video camera at the back of the wedding salon. The videographer controls the cameras from another room, switching between them as appropriate. He never even needs to enter the ceremony space. That gets rid of reason #2 on our list.

Now, the DVD that we get isn’t going to be as nicely edited as if we hired someone. But the one video I found while looking on YouTube looks decent! (This is our same ceremony space, although our minister will be different.)

Video via YouTube / Uploaded by gshiu1980

I think the thing that I find so touching about this video is all of the emotion that is captured in it. You can see it on all of the faces. Plus, I am a huge sucker when the grooms cry, especially when saying their vows. Of course, when watching this video, it hit me that I wouldn’t mind a video of us saying our vows too—especially since we are writing our own. No matter that I will probably cry. And that my cry face is not really movie-star pretty sometimes.

Mr. Mole and I may never break out this DVD on an average Thursday night. It might sit, collecting dust, for years before its case is opened. Its primary use may be that our future children use it to laugh at the crazy bridal fashion and hairstyles of 2012. Ultimately, though, I am now glad that we will have it.

Are you going to hire a videographer for your wedding?