Everyone knows that wedding films are very important. As one of the top home movies you’ll probably ever have, your wedding video will capture the events and memories of the ceremony, reception, and send-off. You’ll get to see all the special little moments that you may have missed in all the excitement of the actual day—and it will preserve your wedding day perfectly for you to watch over and over again in the years to come. But how do you find the best person or company to handle the crucial responsibility of handling the wedding cinematography?
Because this job is very important, it’s no light decision. After all, you wouldn’t let just anyone take the wedding photos. The wedding cinematography is just as (if not more) important than the photos. Check out our tips below on finding the right wedding videographer.
Look At Their Work
Before any other steps, check out your potential wedding videographer’s work. This should tell you most of what you’ll need to know. If you find professionally-shot wedding videos that are tasteful and seem to include good moments, go forward. If the work is kind of cheesy or not filmed very well, move on.
Check Out Their Reviews
This should be obvious. If you like a wedding videographer’s work, check out their online reviews to see if other clients have been pleased. If they don’t have any online reviews, this can be a red flag—but not necessarily a dealbreaker. Politely ask them if you can speak to someone whose wedding they have filmed, and do your best to make sure that whoever you speak to were indeed actual clients (and not their best friend).
Make Sure They Won’t Be Underfoot
There’s nothing worse than a wedding videographer who doesn’t understand their own space. If they are so unaware of themselves that they’re causing guests to trip during dancing, or getting in the way of the photographer’s shots, or making too many people move out of their way, this is a major concern. The best way to avoid this is to simply ask up front if they are good at being “unseen” and out of the way while filming. It’s also smart to ask how they handle the situation when they want the exact same shot as the photographer.
Get A Contract
As with any wedding vendor, having a contract in place is a must. Don’t work with a wedding videographer who doesn’t have a contract or tries to shrug it off. Having one will ensure that you get what you paid for. A good contract should include agreements on video length, what to do in the event of overtime fees, expectations, policy on re-edits, and cancellation policies.
Ask Plenty Of Questions
This can include everything from what kind of camera they use, to what angles they favor, to if they have a history of drinking too much! Seriously: you will be paying this person, so ask them anything you want. It’s important that you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities. Ask if they have ever gotten complaints, forgotten a crucial piece of gear, or anything else you can think of.
Wedding cinematography isn’t an element of your wedding that can be skimped on. If you settle for just any old videographer, you’ll most likely always regret it. Be careful and research well when it comes to finding the right person or company. If you’re currently looking for good wedding cinematography professionals, you may also be looking for wedding venues. If so, take a quick look at what we have to offer at Olympia Banquet Hall, and feel free to ask us any questions you may have about availability, booking, amenities, or anything else!
