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| Why not to get a friend to film |
 All the wedding plans are coming along nicely, then you come across some information regarding filming of your wedding. You first think, "Uncle Bill has got a camera and is always filming family BBQ's and parties, l'll just get him to film it, or a friend". Understandable, as this will save you money, but there are many downsides to this.
I've witnessed first hand at my old job the disappointment this can cause, when a lady, let's call her Bev (actually that's her real name) came up to me and said, "Guess what, my daughter is getting married!". As you can imagine, my first response was, "Who is she getting to film it?", then Bev gives me a little wave saying, "Oh it's OK, she's just getting a friend to film it". I nod, thinking... mmmm ok.
A couple of months later, Bev is wandering around, showing everyone the photos of her daughter's wedding, going from desk to desk as all proud Mother's do, she gets to my desk with a very sad look on her face and says, "Guess what ? the video was terrible, the battery ran out during the ceremony, she was too far away for the speeches and the footage was too dark". You could see she was very disappointed.
Unfortunately, you don't get a second chance at filming your wedding. The day goes by so quickly and before you know it, it's over and all you have to look back on is the photos and the video. I see so many friends filming during the wedding, but only sections of it, a little bit of the bride arriving, parts of the ceremony, a little bit of the speeches and that's it. They are also using their camera hand held. Which you might think is good steady footage, but then you put it on the big screen and you can see every slight movement and the shaking because they are using it without a tripod.
Why should you spend the money on a professional...
We use professional HD video cameras, that cost the price of a small car if not more, not a small handy camera you see everyone waving around.
We use tripods to ensure steady shots during the ceremony & speeches.
We use wireless lapel microphones to ensure the vows are captured & clear during the ceremony & during the speeches.
It's our job for the day, so we are working hard to capture as many moments as possible and important items from the day, the flowers, the rings, the decorations, the bonbonnieres, the cake, the menu, the parents, the emotions, to capture just the prefect wedding DVD, that you can look back on and smile.
But l hear you say, we can't afford to pay a professional to film it.
There are many ways you can get around this. l am more than happy to offer people a payment plan that they pay $100 each month to ensure their video package is paid off before the big day. Or, why don't you put it on the bridal registry, or ask the family to put in for it. You can do all the work to find someone to film and then ask them to pay for it.
Most family & friends have no idea what to get couples for their wedding, so would be more than happy to put money towards a gift that you both really want. |
| Don't forget to feed us! |
 Your wedding day is flowing along nicely, the photographer and videographer have been following you around all day, bridal preparations, ceremony, photo session, jumping in and out of cars, going to 3 different locations and pretty much started working at your house at 10am. It's now 7pm and everyone is seated at the reception, but there is no seat for us. We have been forgotten about to be added to the seating list.
For one, this is very frustrating, as throughout the whole day, there really isn't 2 seconds to sit down and have something to eat, or swing past Maccas and get a meal deal, we have been going flat out, smell like we've been to the gym for the past 5 hours and would kill for a seat and a bread roll.
So please, if you have organised to have your day to be photographed and filmed, and require us to capture any of the reception, please ensure you organise seats for us, this is greatly appreciated and once we've had a drink of lemonade and had our bread roll, we can get back to work. |
| Guests arriving late |
 You may think this sounds like a bit of a myth, who would think that your friends would arrive late to your wedding, well believe it. I see it every week, the Ceremony is meant to start at 3pm, the bride is running a little late (as anticipated) but there are still guests wandering in, no not running cause they know they are late, just strolling into the ceremony.
So l've worked out on average, ok not really, just a guess that 85% of your guests will arrive to the Ceremony on time, the other 15% will wandering in, just as your arriving (normally walking into the shot that we are trying to take), or 10 minutes after the ceremony was supposed to start.
A way around this, is to let people know the Ceremony is starting a little earlier, then they will be there, or arrive a little later so you are ensured they will be there. |
| Allow plenty of travel time |
 When travelling around to locations either from the Bride's house to the Ceremony, or when off completing your photo session, please allow plenty of travel time. Even double it in some cases.
With the City being so close, it's easy to be convinced that it's quite quick to get into the city, but this is very deceiving, even if it normally takes you 10mins on a Sunday afternoon, doesn't mean that it will on your wedding day.
Remember your limo or wedding cars, will drive a lot slower, it will take longer for your bridal party to enter & exit the car, the cars to find car spots when parking and also your Photography & Videographer who are driving behind to also find a park (remember they have to leave their car, so have to find good parks to avoid fines).
So a good suggestion is check via your GPS or street maps online to work out how long it's going to take from one location to another, and as suggested add an extra time to ensure the day runs smoothly and your not rushing around worrying abotu the time, when really you should be enjoying the day.
Another suggestion, is don't leave immediately after the Photographer / Videographer when leaving the Bridal house when heading to the Ceremony, give them about 15-20mins head start. As when we arrive, we need to find a park (not always easy when we arrive just before the ceremony), we need to set up, introduce ourselves to the priest or celebrant, get shots of the church, the nervous groom, guests and once that is all done, we are able to get excellent shots of the girls arriving in their bridal cars and the Ceremony can run smoothly without us being in a mad panic. |
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| Yes l'll Marry You - by Pam Ayres |
At the wedding of Nicole & Simon on Saturday the 24th of October, they had one of their good friends, Jodi, read this out. l loved it so much, l wanted to share it all with you.
Yes, I'll marry you, my dear,
and here's the reason why,
So I can push you out of bed,
when the baby starts to cry,
And if we hear a knocking,
and it's creepy and it's late,
I hand you the torch you see,
and you go investigate.
Yes I'll marry you, my dear,
you may not apprehend it,
But when the tumble-drier breaks,
it's you that has to mend it,
You have to face the neighbour,
should our labrador attack him,
And if a drunkard hits on me,
it's you that has to whack him.
Yes, I'll marry you,
you're virile and you're lean,
My house is like a pigsty,
you can help to keep it clean.
That tasty little dinner,
which you served by candlelight,
As I do spag bol,
you can cook it every night!
It's you who has to work the drill,
and clean up out the back,
And when I'm in a bad mood,
it's you who gets the flak,
I do see great advantages,
but none of them for you,
And so before you see the light,
I do, I do, I do! |
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| RAW Footage for Free |
Until the end of April, we are offering free RAW footage upon any booking made from receiving this newsletter. Valued at $55.
Raw Footage is a complete look at your wedding day, from start to finish, it includes every piece of footage that is shot. Once we return from your wedding, it is captured and a DVD is created and posted out within a week of your wedding and is normally waiting in your letterbox for you to view as soon as you arrive home from your honeymoon.
If you would like to book a video package and received your free RAW footage, please contact the office and mention this newsletter. |
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| An & Arlyn's Bridal Waltz |
An & Arlyn were married on Saturday the 26th of September. What made their reception so great was that they did a great bridal waltz that you only see on YouTube. Their guests absolutely loved it and you can click on the link to see why. You need to give it a couple of minutes to see what l'm talking about, l hope you enjoy it.
http://www.vimeo.com/7636568
Further on this, if you have something great and unexpected happening at your wedding, that no one else is aware about, such as a surprise dance, be sure to notify the photographer and videographer so we are ready to capture it and everyone's reactions. Also by telling us, we can ensure we are in the right spot to capture it from the best angles.
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