10 Tips to Improve Your Wedding Video
by Janice Celeste
Wedding videos are an increasingly popular complement to still photographs of your big day. Here are 10 tips to help you get the most from your wedding video.
- Inform your bridal party to be aware of the camera and to assist by slightly and subtly stepping aside so that the videographer can get the best shot, especially if the altar area is tight or if there is a Chuppah.
- Facing the guests during the ceremony, instead of the officiant, gives you the best shots for your video and photos.
- Smoking, eating and chewing generally looks bad on video. We will take care not include video where these things occur. Chewing gum is the most common occurrence.
- Please inform your photographer that you expect him to work with the videographers and coordinate his/her shoots and movements with them.
- Consider asking your officiant to request the guests to stay seated during the ceremony to avoid blocking the official videographer and photographer's shots.
- The groom will wear a wireless microphone. Be assured that his private comments won't be heard by the guests and won't become public. We request that the groom doesn't turn off the microphone or adjust the microphone set up.
- Try not to react to the presence of the camera, especially turning away from the camera as this usually renders the footage unusable. When in doubt whether to look at the photographer or videographer, always, always look at your photographer!
- The video will generally look better if the lights at the ceremony and the reception aren't turned down too low.
- An outdoor wedding will look much better if it can be set up so that the bride and groom and guests aren't in direct full sunlight. Shady areas work best.
- Please request that your guests are to stand behind the official videographer and photographer when taking photos of key moments such as the rings, the kiss, the garter and bouquet toss and cake cutting. Your officiant and DJ can make these announcements. Overzealous guests and even young children can easily block these important shots if they don't understand the importance of why you hired professionals or from just being in the moment.
With these tips in mind you should end up with a permanent keepsake you will cherish forever.
- Janice Celeste is with Celeste Studios Film & Video in Flanders, NJ, and has been a WedPlan Member since Oct 2006.
