Videography will bring your wedding day back to life. You can relive the moments, you can hear the laughter, and you can listen to that special song, or recall that warm embrace all through the power of the camera. With so many techniques available and a myriad of talented individuals, it is always important to meet with a videographer in person to get a sense of their style and give them the opportunity to get to know you a little better. Who do you choose to tell your story? You can begin your search with a quick look at their internet sites, which often gives an indication of their general style and artistic view, and ask for referrals from friends and relatives. The rest will be based on your conversation, questions, and assessment of previous work.

Your videographer can be with you from the morning, following you through your make-up session and your greeting of house guests, all the way up to the reception venue. On the other hand you can choose to begin filming only at the ceremony or only at the reception hall. Many videographers today offer the flexibility of creating a tailor-made package that will suit your needs as well as your budget.

During your visit, give details regarding the different stages of the wedding that are most important to you for filming purposes. Include a list of people you want to be included or appoint an assistant (a friend or relative) who can provide that information to the videographer on the wedding day. Advanced planning is essential. No bride or groom should be giving instructions on that day. Ask to see a sample of their work; their creative style and graphic sense will be evident in what you see. Whether they adhere to a traditional style, graphic, or cinematic style they will design personalized coverage of your wedding day based on your requirements, their experience, and their artful eye for detail. Discuss the type of lighting, cameras, and microphones they use. Some professionals offer state-of-the-art equipment which is non intrusive and will not disrupt the flow of your celebration.

Talk about your venue and ask if they have worked there before. Also, make sure to ask if the person with whom you are speaking will be the same person filming that day and how many people will assist him--you don’t want any surprises. Inquire about their backup plan in the case of an emergency. A clear communication of what you expect will serve to be the most useful tool. Indicate any special requests in the format of the final product.

Although a “picture is worth a thousand words” it captures and records all but a precious instant in time. A video on the other hand completes and compliments photos to include sound, movement and sequence of events. For couples who choose to record their wedding day by video, they are opting to document their most memorable day for future generations as well as for themselves, to enjoy and re-visit an unforgettable day in the past. To be able to hear the vows that were exchanged, the unique voice the best man used during his speech and the song first danced to as newlyweds.

By Anna Lombardos