Why do we need a video of our wedding? 

Your professional wedding video will allow you to experience your wedding day over and over again and from a wonderfully different perspective. We have been told by many couples that their wedding day went by so quickly and that after seeing their wedding video, they were amazed at how much they actually missed. They also tell us how delighted they are that we were able to capture all those special memories forever, on videotape. Even though your photographer may be present all day, he or she actually only captures a few seconds of your wedding day. Your wedding video captures so much more.

Finally, one of the most overlooked reasons to have a professional wedding video is so that you can share your wedding day with your children. They will love to be able to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and emotions of your wedding day.

Do we hire a professional or ask a family member?

Most couples realize the importance of a wedding video, but fail to realize the importance of who to have behind the camera. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE between Uncle Charlie and a professional videographer. Remember, there are no second chances--it must be done right the first time.

Extensive experience and proper professional equipment are necessary to produce a beautiful wedding video that you will be proud to share with your friends and family. Professionals have back-up equipment, have extra batteries, use wireless microphones, tripods, step ladders and on camera lighting for dark receptions. Most amatuers are simply not prepared to videotape one of the most significant days of your lives. Let your family member or friend enjoy themselves at your wedding.

As professionals, we can provide you with opening credits, two camera ceremonies, crystal-clear vows, stableness of the camera, beautiful close ups, a highlight segment, and shots of activites you didn't even know happened that day. We make your video flow smoothly with soft transitions between scenes and a touch of special effects.

Should we hire one vendor to perform two functions?

Now that you have decided on having your wedding professionally videotaped, you have to choose the right company. You search the web and find that Beautiful Sound Machine Co. also offers video, and at half the price--wow!  Few vendors have expertise in more than one area. ENOUGH SAID.

What characteristics should I be looking for in a videographer?

If after you have viewed a demo and liked what you saw, you need to find out if this is the person that will be videotaping your wedding and doing the editing after the wedding. The next question you need to ask yourself is, can we work with this person? Is he or she willing to listen to our requests and suggestions? Will they adhere to the policies and restrictions of your church/facility? Do they belong to professional associations that emphasize professionalism, integrity and competency? And finally, do you get the feeling that this person is looking forward to your wedding almost as much as you are?

Is additional lighting really necessary at my reception?

In a word, YES. Typically, lights are kept low at a wedding reception to increase the ambience. Unfortunately, this is not good for video or photography. That is why the photographer uses a flash. Most of todays professional camcorders do pretty well in low light situations, but SOME additional lighting is necessary for a good video. There are some videographers who bring in large floodlights and completely destroy the ambience you are paying so much for. This is NOT necessary for a good video. A small on camera light will do the trick most of the time.

How much should I expect to pay for a professional video of my wedding?

There is an old saying you have probably heard--you get what you pay for. This applies in most cases, but not all. The larger video production companies have to cover the cost of their high overhead and those costs are passed on to you, the customer. There is another saying--if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That usually is a pretty good indicator as to the quality of a wedding video.

In the Buffalo, NY Metropolitan area, you should expect to pay, depending on what is included in the package, $1100.00 to $1500.00 for all day video coverage. Of course smaller packages should cost less. Many times couples will spend this much on an expensive limo instead of buying a video that they can look back on for a lifetime. There are priorities in life and choosing to buy a wedding video over an expensive limo, shows maturity on the part of the wedding couple.