To Video or Not

Original post by queensora1980

Apr 25, 2008 01:03 AM

I was curious to hear people's thoughts on this issue. We decided not to hire a videographer. Do you think it's worth it to have one? Why/why not? What is the best part of a wedding video?
I'm curious. TY!!

newbride08 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 10:40 AM

Re: To Video or Not

I was on the fence too. And 2 weeks before my wedding I decided to get it. We got a really good deal from Halo video...so instead of spending the same amount of money on chair covers, which mean nothing...I got a video that my husband, kids, grandkids and whole family can watch forever and continue to relive those wonderful moments over and over again.... If you're on the fence..do it, because if you regret it later, there is no going back... Good luck!

chicky724 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 10:43 AM

Re: To Video or Not

I keep debating about that too... I don't feellike we really need one but part of me wants it too.

One of my friends was actually a film major in college and has a really nice video camera, so we were thinking about asking him to not give us a gift and just tape a few of the most important parts.

Soon2BMrs.T Posted: Apr 25, 2008 10:50 AM

Re: To Video or Not

I vote yes, do it. I am using Pennylane also. Adam is great. I felt that it is important to have one. I want something different instead of the standed type video. Once I saw what Adam had to offer we just went for it. I feel that is is something that when you have kids they will be able to see your wedding. I wish I could have seen my Mom and Dad's video.

CristinanBen2010 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 10:52 AM

Re: To Video or Not

Posted by SusiBtoM

There is a lot of stuff that happens that the pictures just don't capture.
The sounds of people having a great time.
Things that are going to make you laugh when you watch it, things that are going to make you cry.
You are going to see things that you did not see on your day, because you were taking pictures, or you were in the bathroom, or someone was talking to you.

During the ceremony, the best man dropped a ring. You can hear the sound of it plinking away on the marble floor. I started cracking up and said to my husband, figures it was mine, at which point the guests started cracking up.

I can hear my niece giggling as she walked down the aisle as FG. I had no idea she did that until one of my friends told me. Her mother had no idea she did that. My niece was just so excited.

On my sister's wedding video, I can hear my mom's voice and her laughter. Can't hear that on mine because she wasn't there.

Cut costs somewhere else and get a video. It is a lifetime memory. Remember, anything can be edited out.

I agree with you. There are wonderful things that you capture on tape that let you relive every moment. I have videos of my grandparents and everytime I hear their voices it reminds me of how they would talk etc. I think video is a great way to remember to day as well as all the people who were there celebrating with you.

jchen129 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 11:23 AM

Re: To Video or Not

We were going through the exact same dilemma! As much as I would have liked to save some extra money by vutting out the video, we ended up doing it. I didn't want to end up regretting it, and I think that there will be lots of moments that you'll miss or forget and being able to relive and see it on video will be great. If it is a matter of budget, you can definitely get an affordable videographer and just ask him to just give you raw footage/or minimal editing. This will help you to save $$$. We ended up booking with Pete at Wedding Cinema, he has very affordable prices and is a really nice guy! I'm sure he'll work within your budget. HTH!

CMS Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:09 PM

Re: To Video or Not

My brother and sister in law watch their wedding video every year on their anniversary.

We're not having a major reception, but I am looking forward to having my entire ceremony filmed.

MrsQ-in2007 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:18 PM

Re: To Video or Not

Posted by MrsInglima

While I do understand the value of a video, think about how many times you are actually going to watch it. My mom and aunt told me most people they know actually threw their away after awhile because it just sat and collected dust. And I guarantee you that most people will not want to watch it with you afterwards. Around a thousand dollars (or a lot more) for one tape/dvd that you'll watch less than 5-10 times? Not worth it in our book.

there are many other things that can cost $1,000 or even way more than that for your wedding that are either only used for a little bit or like flowers die, etc.

the ONLY things you still have after the wedding is pictures and video. even if you do only watch it a couple of times, that would still be something that really could not be replicated etc.

of course, its all a matter of personal preference and what each person puts more value on - i personally value having these permanent memories but i know that not everyone does.

EsquireBride Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:19 PM

Re: To Video or Not

Initially FH and I weren't going to get a video. Then we started thinking about certain guests at our wedding that in just a few years may no longer be alive, and when I phrased the question to myself this way -- 'If I could have a video of my grandma alive, talking to people, eating dinner, maybe trying to dance! then would I pay $2000 for the chance to watch that in the future?' and my answer would be, abolsutely I am going to write the check right now.

So FH and I decided to get video, because we both have very elderly relatives and we cannot pass up the opportunity to have them recorded forever....

NoraPearl Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:20 PM

Re: To Video or Not

It is a total personal choice. At first, I didn't feel like I needed a video but it was not too much more to get it with the Photography studio's package so I just went for it. Someone later told me something as well that kind of made up my mind. They told me that some of their loved ones passed away after their wedding and it was special for them to not just see pictures of those loved ones, but to see them in a video, truly in action and smiling and living again, was very nice.
Also, my Grandparents couldn't attend my wedding as they are too old to travel so to be able to send them a copy of the DVD was so great for them.

Finally, now that I can speak from experience and have seen my video, it was well worth it to be able to watch the ceremony and reception again as I was not present for every moment being so crazy and busy that day. It was so cool to see the looks on people's faces, who danced with who, who ate 2 pieces of cake and all that good stuff.

If you have it in the budget, I would say do it, it is an action memory to go with all the still ones in your photos.

EsquireBride Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:21 PM

Re: To Video or Not

I should add -- FH got a bat mitzvah video made that has his grandpa acting all cute and dancing, giving a speech, etc. His grandfather passed away a few years ago and FH loves to watch that video every so often just to see his grandpa...

squeekietoy Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:27 PM

Re: To Video or Not

We are not getting a video. It's one of those things we decided on from the beggining that we knew we would rather spend our money on other things.

ttw910 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 01:31 PM

Re: To Video or Not

I was on the fence as to whether or not I wanted to get a videographer, but I decided to go for it b/c I didn't want to later regret not having a wedding video.

PinkRoses1 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:14 PM

Re: To Video or Not

I suppose I'm a little biased, because I used to have my own wedding videography business back when I lived in Maryland a few years ago

BUT I will say that I believe video is crucial because of HOW it captures your day... not just with picture, but with sound and movement. You can HEAR the way your husband's voice shakes during your vows, you can SEE the way you moved during your first dance. I personally think reception photos especially don't always capture those funny, crazy dance floor moments the way video can.

You can hear the toasts over again, and hear the emotion behind the words. Yes, your MOH or Best Man could give you a copy of what they read, but you'll never be able to recapture HOW they read it. And what if they just wing it with a few notes on a napkin? You'll miss the really funny story he told or the fact that your MOH cried her eyes out. For me personally, those are moments that I just refuse to lose.

For me, there's something about the preservation of loved one's mannerisms and voices that is absolutely priceless. Especially where small children and older relatives are concerned. For the kids, it will help me to remember them the way they were, and for my older relatives, it will help me to remember them when they're gone. You can't put a price on that.

Also, let me say that wedding video in general has come a LONG way since the cheesy 80s and 90s. Most studios now take a more true-to-life, documentary style with very minimal effects. The only special effects I ever used in my videos were black and white with a touch of slowed down motion for the highlight segment. That's it. And trust me, it was WAY more effective than crazy animations or bells and whistles could ever be.

I think video goes a long way to preserving the raw emotion of the day, as well as the sights and sounds. You just can't recreate that through photography.

PinkRoses1 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:26 PM

Re: To Video or Not

Sorry to be on such a soapbox, but being a former videographer, it's something I feel so passionately about!

Some of the other girls have brought up really great points that I totally forgot to mention... the fact that you obviously can't be everywhere at once, and a video lets you see things like your groom and BP walking down the aisle. Spontaneous dance floor moments are another thing that make for great re-watching and are easily missed if you're caught up saying hi to guests or trying to eat.

I know some people have told me that they worry about a video ruining their memory of the day... that they thought it was perfect, and the video shows it as it really was. If something went really wrong that day, or if there was any kind of snafu, you can ask your videographer to smooth those parts over or omit them all together. I would often have to ask my brides whether they wanted the nitty-gritty version or the fairy tale version. Most of them would say they wanted to see the day as it really was, but a few liked to have the little quirks edited out. Really feel free to have a dialogue with your studio... it's your video, so you should have it reflect you and your husband!

mf2009 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:47 PM

Re: To Video or Not

Posted by EsquireBride

Initially FH and I weren't going to get a video. Then we started thinking about certain guests at our wedding that in just a few years may no longer be alive, and when I phrased the question to myself this way -- 'If I could have a video of my grandma alive, talking to people, eating dinner, maybe trying to dance! then would I pay $2000 for the chance to watch that in the future?' and my answer would be, abolsutely I am going to write the check right now.

So FH and I decided to get video, because we both have very elderly relatives and we cannot pass up the opportunity to have them recorded forever....

That is soo true! I don't plan on paying a lot for video but video and photos are the only memories you'll have and years from now when my kids are watching my video I want them to see my grandparents going crazy on the dance floor. There is only so much pictures can do. JMO

Soon2BMrsC09 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:48 PM

Re: To Video or Not

i think that a wedding videographer is probably what we wanted to splurge on - we are going to be so wrapped up in pictures and saying hello to people its going to all melt together - i am sure we are going to miss out on a lot and miss alot of funny things that are done and said - i think its a good way to see everything

Autumn08 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:54 PM

Re: To Video or Not

A video was important to me. I was thinking to cut it to save money but to be honest I'm so glad I didn't. We are planning to write our vows and I can't wait to see it.. and I'm not even married yet. I think it's a totally different feel from still photographs because you can see things happening, relive the vows, the dancing etc...

ILOVEBRIAN2008 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 02:58 PM

Re: To Video or Not

i would get it!!! we still watch my aunt and uncles wedding video from when they were married like 15 yrs ago (and i was the flower girl) its def worth it!

DGoldfarb0776 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 05:01 PM

Re: To Video or Not

I was almost undecided as to whether or not I wanted video as well. You can't replace the memories and DH was right on fighting with me on this subject.

I don't regret getting a videographer and there are many that are really inexpensive and good.

irishgrl1017 Posted: Apr 25, 2008 05:04 PM

Re: To Video or Not

I would def. recommend it!
I still watch my sisters and cant wait until I get to see mine....the montages are so nice and its great for your future kids to see as well