Help! Share your highlight video? Meeting with Videographer tomorrow, what did you ask/request?

Ask about music! Don't get me wrong, I like our wedding video but I'm disappointed with ours compared to others that I had seen on here from other brides.

Our videographer refused to put any copyrighted music in our video. Makes sense right? However, every video I saw on here had copyrighted music - mainstream songs everybody's heard.

My video doesn't have any of our real music in it. All of our special dances, our walks up and down the aisle, and even our intro into our reception do not have the music we actually played.

If your videographer will not put YOUR music in, DO NOT hire him/her!

When H and I watch our wedding video, we fast forward through the dances. It shouldn't be like that.

Make sure your videographer gets establishing shots and some broll of the venue. Have them arrive to the venue 15-30 minutes before the ceremony starts. That will also allow for them to get shots of people arriving if you want that. Do you want interviews? If so, are their specific people you want interviewed? Are you guys doing anything out of the ordinary? Make sure to let the videographer know.

We just met with one the Wednesday night. I asked about the music also. How long the finished videos are. What deposited he requires. If he has and photographers he works with (we have not booked one yet). And how long it takes to get the videos back after the wedding.

Eta: This law is different in different states but here if they do solely online delivery there is no sales tax. If you get DVDs & flash drives then you have to pay sales tax. I think this goes for photos too.

Videographers have to pay a licensing fee for songs they use, so many of them won't use mainstream songs (those fees can get steep). Some will include a licensing fee in their package price, so that is a good question to ask.

What is the process the day of?

What is the timeline for completed videos?

Sneak peak yes or no?

How long have they been in business?

Have they ever shot a wedding at your venue?

I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of now

Avoid scripted questions you find online. Gauge their personality, style of work, approach, how they work with the photographer, what is included like how much footage and highlight reel....I'm sure he will have examples and a laptop with him to show you. Also contract terms, turnaround time etc. Rather than hiring a creative artist and telling them what to do and how to do it, find one whose style and attention to detail mirrors your vision and inspiration. It all falls into place

I personally don't think sneak peaks or working at that venue means anything....if sneak peaks interrupt the workflow, that only slows down the process....we're adults, we can wait, things take time and it's time consuming work. Also, I've been asked the same question as a photographer about the venue....I've never been outsmarted by four walls. Most of where I shot weddings I've never been before. A competent shooter knows how to work in different situations. Have that confidence in yours if you hire him, Good luck

Jay, many videographers I inquired with do sneak peeks that they post to social media. I think it's good to know whether they plan to do that or not so I can set my expectations accordingly. Not suggesting someone should bug them for one if it's not part of their normal process.

As far as working at the venue before, for a visual person like me, this helps. If I saw a sample of something they did in my venue, it helps me to visualize what my video would look like a bit more.

Www.justinpeay.com/ricky-and-faith

Ask him if he's worked at your venue before.

Ask him at what point in the day he thinks is best for him to arrive (i.e. getting ready shots, makeup, etc.)

Great feedback and ideas guys, I have another request idea..

Anyone comfortable sharing their highlight video link? And if so - if there is anything you really liked about it or maybe didn't like about it - can you post those things? I'm probably being entirely to detailed here, I have no idea.

I just feel like we are spending a lot on this, and I want it to be what we want, ya know? (so I need to know what we want...lol)

Shared my link above. Honestly, I couldn't be happier with it. I cry every time I watch it :-)

Hi JamieLynn,

Here is our highlight video. I really liked everything about it! It captured so many of our details and sweet moments from the day. With the package we got, we will also be getting a longer film as well. Hopefully this gives you some ideas!

https://vimeo.com/151071883

Following

Http://youtu.be/1buzrJcIlo8

I love my trailer.

I loved our trailer. I wasn't huge on my full length video but I'm really glad that we have it. I really love having the ceremony and speeches. Plus despite what others have said I have watched it a few times. I just felt like some things could have been edited better. I used to work in our tv productions studio in high school and college so I notice edits and almost want to ask for the footage so I can do it myself.

I would honestly ask to see a full length video and not just trailers. Our videographer and photographer were awesome with their work and "staying in the shadows". So make sure they aren't in the way.

https://vimeo.com/149941526

@JamieLynn have you looked at the videographers work already? Are there certain things you like in some videos that you don't like in others? I use to look at wedding videos on vimeo.com to get an idea of the style i liked. My videographer request 6 songs of my choice that he could chop up and use throughout our video so I know it will have music I like. Does this videographer on take video with music over it or will there be actual vows, toasts, conversations, etc included. That was really important to me. Some videos are just music over the footage but I wanted part of the vows, conversations with my parents, hubby, etc to be in it.

My best advice is to look through the other videos they've produced and take note of elements you like and elements you don't. Then go over that list with the videographer. If he includes an interview with the groom in 90% of his videos and you don't want that, mention that ahead of time.

The top three question topics I get are: music, turnaround time, video length.

Following

I feel like I actually asked the least questions of videographers, because you can tell so much from their work! My big ones were:

-What is the expected turnaround time?

-What is your working style? (hoping they say that they try to blend in and be unobtrusive)

-What happens in case of emergency if you can't make it?

-How do you work with the photographer to make sure everything is covered but that you guys also aren't getting in each other's way?

-Do I get to choose the music and toast voice-overs?

-Do I get any edits? (my example here was what if I get the trailer back and there's one shot that I just absolute hate, can I get at least one edit if I promise not to be difficult )

And for your viewing pleasure, here is my absolute favorite videographer in the whole world who was sadly too expensive for me

http://seaglassstudios.com/

My friend's trailer (I'm in the background a few times if you can catch it!): http://seaglassstudios.com/catherinematt.html

Echoing Jay (above), it shouldn't matter if your videographer has recorded in your venue before. Maybe the most important attribute that makes a good videographer is their ability to identify and adapt to any shooting situation. The same holds true for photographers.

You can also ask about lighting and sound. Will he capture audio of the vows and toasts? What lighting (if any) will be used at the reception?

In terms of music, acquiring a license to use most Top 40 songs is almost never a possibility. The licenses we get for the music we use is considered global and perpetual. Even if a major record label would allow this type of license, it would most likely cost more than your wedding. There are tens of thousands of songs available for legal licensing and your videographer should have sources for to get them.

Https://vimeo.com/160692344

Here's ours, she's great and her bf is a pilot so she can travel for free. For me the main issue was that some of my guests didn't want to be on film, since obviously these videos end up online (vimeo, youtube, etc.). Other than that, I wasn't too particular about it so I just left it to her.

I understand most brides are very visual and want to see how their story will be told. My comments were meant lovingly, I'm only saying that I think it's a mistake for anyone to look beyond themselves as to how the story will be told. You know what the venue looks like, and if you are in love with a videographer's style, then how could you miss? I get how the reference is nice, I'm only saying not to put too much stock in that, someone who is that good can work anywhere. You are the star, not the venue.