Video Advice

Ideas & Inspiration

Video Advice

Laura Randall, one half of the award-winning husband-and-wife team of Edit 1 Media, explains the benefits of filming your wedding and reveals what every couple should know about hiring a videographer.

How did you first get involved with videography?
Nearly 11 years ago my son was battling cancer and I truly realized how precious life is. On a trip to Disney World, I made a video of him dancing and running around—just enjoying life the way a kid should. The experience of capturing his movement and laughter so perfectly gave me a passion for capturing those special moments for other people. Weddings are definitely one of those moments, and I take filming them as a huge responsibility. We launched Edit 1 Media 10 years ago in Browns Point with a video that helped raise $60,000 for a childhood cancer charity, and loved every minute of the medium.

What is a trademark service of Edit 1 Media?
My husband, Chris, and I have really been pioneers in the field. We were one of the first to do what we coined “Same Day Edit,” where in between the ceremony and the reception we make a quick video of the ceremony and the earlier happenings. Couples can show it at the reception as a fun way to celebrate and fill in the guests who didn’t attend the actual ceremony.

Why should couples hire a videographer?
Your wedding is one of the only days in your life where you have a unique group of family and friends celebrating all together. There are so many special emotions, moments and voices at a wedding that only an audio video can truly capture. It’s always a nice surprise when the couple watches their video for the first time and discovers amazing moments they didn’t even know happened.

What should couples look for when hiring a good videographer?
I can’t stress this enough: experience, experience, experience! Your wedding video needs to be a priority for the videographer, so find someone who does videography full time. If video is how they support themselves, they are going to be more responsible. Also, make sure your personalities match. You want someone who will be fun to work with through the course of the entire day. You will have your wedding video for a lifetime. I always know I’ve done my job when the couple calls me and tells me they watched it 15 times in a row!

What should couples expect from a videographer on the wedding day?
The videographer should be a fly on the wall that sees and captures everything. Typically, good companies will send two, maybe three, videographers to shoot from different angles. Edit 1 Media has three full-time employees, two part-time shooters and another part-time editor who participate in creating the final videos. We normally arrive an hour and a half before the bride dresses in order to film the ladies getting ready and all the excitement that is transpiring. The couple is really the boss, though, and can decide what they want filmed.
 
What does a wedding video end up looking like?
Each video is tailored to the couple and their personalities, so pick a videographer who really understands who you are and what you’re looking for. The goal of a wedding video is to re-create the story behind the day of the wedding, so we spend a lot of time editing your film to make the story come to life, beginning with the bride getting ready. All of our videos use multiple high-definition cameras, wireless microphones and soft lighting as needed to enhance image and audio quality during filming. Typically, we either match the film to music, much like a music video, or create a mini-documentary. Make sure to talk with your videographer about which style you are looking for. 

How far in advance should couples hire a videographer?
It depends on whom you hire and what time of year the wedding is. If the videographer is popular and your wedding is in July or August, you will definitely want to hire them as early as possible. Some couples have booked us as much as three years in advance, but generally six months to a year should be a good time frame for hiring a videographer. If the wedding is last minute, however, couples might get lucky and find someone who has had a cancellation.

What can couples expect to pay?
It really ranges, depending on the company, the length of your video and how involved you want the videographer to be. Videographers generally cost between $2,500 and $5,000 and provide you with three DVDs to keep, but many cost more. Steer clear of prices less than this, as it shows the videographer probably won’t spend much time editing your film. Editing the video is where the costs come in; a very detailed video with lots of camera angles will be much more expensive. It’s always fun to add things like a film trailer or a photo montage if you want more than just the basic video, but these will increase the price.

How long does it take for the couple to receive the wedding video?
We live in a society that needs instant gratification, but you have to remember that you are spending good money for an amazing video you’ll want to hold up for the rest of your lives. You don’t want the videographer to rush through the process. Generally, it depends on how extensive the editing is, but full-length videos can take six months to a year to create and finalize. A good videographer will really communicate with you during that time and keep you informed on the process.