HOME ABOUT US CLIENT FEEDBACK WEDDING PLAN CONTACT LINKS DEMO CLIPS

How we go about it

Note: This description covers a typical Christian church wedding but Synagogue, hotel, hall, etc. can be substituted - where applicable.

Video Lay Out - Weddings

MUSIC: Each couple is requested to select music for the video from a list supplied by us. Some prefer to supply music from their own sources. Where applicable we make use of music being played at the wedding such as a soloist, band, string quartet etc.

INTRODUCTION: Opening titles with backdrop "The Wedding of ....". Fade to the wording for the invitation with detail of the invitation as a backdrop. This is accompanied by suitable music. If required, your own photographs may be added for a nominal extra fee.

BRIDE: Exterior and interior shots of the home, hotel etc. where the bride is preparing to leave for the church. Medium and close up shots of the bride, family and attendants with special emphasis on the preparations, photo shoot etc. Where possible, the bride will be asked for her last minute thoughts as she is getting ready. Music will be added and mixed with the original sound track (where possible).

CHURCH: Exterior and interior shots of the church with special reference to floral arrangements and other detail. Scene then moves to the outside to show the guests, groom and best man arriving. Music will be added at the editing stage and, where possible, mixed with the original sound track. The original sound track is sometimes not usable due to extraneous sounds such as barking dogs, traffic noise etc.

SERVICE: Where suitable, the sound track now switches to the organ or other music being played at the service venue where the arrival of the bride is awaited. Last minute arrivals are shown. Where possible, the groom is asked for his last minute feelings.

Camera 1 (Sam) & camera 3 (unmanned) will be sited inside the church in positions which have been previously discussed with the minister. No artificial lighting will be introduced. Where applicable, microphones will have been pre-positioned as unobtrusively as possible.

Camera 2 (Howard) will be waiting outside the church to capture the arrival of the bridal party. It will then usually be positioned at the altar end of the aisle to record the bride's progress down the aisle. Where possible the groom's reactions will be shown.

As the bride nears the end of the aisle, camera 2 will move to a pre-arranged position alongside camera 3. The service will then be recorded in full. If a shorter video is required, you may wish to instruct us, prior to the editing stage, to confine the hymns, sermon or prayers to the opening and closing lines.

Special emphasis is placed on the vows and exchange of rings. Whenever possible extreme close ups will be used at this stage. This is usually followed by the signing of the register prior to the couple's triumphant departure down the aisle. If this is the case then, at the latter stages of signing of the register, camera 2 will be positioned at the exit end of the aisle. Camera 3 will be unmanned at the altar end recording an overview Camera 1 will be outside the church to capture the bridal party as it emerges from the church.

Note: At the editing stage maximum use will be made of the coverage of the service by all three cameras. Rarely is one static scene shown for more than 30 seconds. This provides the viewer with interest and helps prevent the "yawn factor" from creeping in. For example, during the sermon, one camera will be focused on the speaker whilst the other two will be registering reaction shots of the bridal party and congregation.

CONGRATULATIONS: The video will now show the confetti throwing and congratulations by the guests. Suitable music will be mixed with the sound track. Because of the convivial nature of these scenes and sounds, up tempo or triumphant music is selected.

If the situation permits, the bride and groom are asked how the service was for them. A good time to do this is often when they are in the car just prior to leaving for the photo shoot and/or reception.

PHOTO SHOOT: Relatively brief footage is shown of the photo shoot (about 3 to 4 minutes). Because video is a dynamic medium, and the photo shoot itself is relatively static, we endeavor to show what is taking place together with cut-away and reaction shots without slavishly duplicating the still photographer's work. Suitable music will be mixed in at the editing stage.

RECEPTION VENUE: Exterior and interior shots are shown of the reception venue with special emphasis on close ups of floral and table arrangements. This is followed by shots of the guests congregating and/or filing in to take their places prior to the arrival of the bride and groom. Suitable music will be edited in. The cameras will then be positioned to record the progress of the bridal party as they enter the room. Camera lighting will have been fitted when applicable.

SPEECHES: We will liaise with the Master of Ceremonies at an early stage in order that he or she can indicate to us when speeches and other important events are about to take place.

To obtain the optimum video and sound quality, it is best if the speakers deliver their speeches from a fixed point. We will mount a microphone in front of the podium or speaking position. The reason for the microphone is that acoustics and amplification at some reception venues is often fair to atrocious. This will ensure that your video has the best possible sound.

One cameras will be focused on the speaker. The other is nearby and focused on the bridal party. The third camera will be focused mainly on individuals in order to record reaction shots of the parties being spoken about. This camera will also move about the room to provide the viewer with varied camera angles. The subsequent editing of the footage of the three cameras helps to remove the "yawn factor" for the viewer. In this regard, the viewer nearly always loses interest if the video of the speeches exceed 20 minutes in total. Your quotation has allowed for 30 minutes of speeches in the video. If they exceed this time we will be happy to discuss your requirements with you.

REMAINDER OF RECEPTION: All the highlights of the reception will be covered. These include, where applicable, the first dance and representative footage of other dancing. The throwing of the bouquet and garter, cutting of the cake etc.

FOOD: The presentation and serving of the food will be covered. Table by table footage will be shown of the guests. This footage is usually confined to a total of 2 to 4 minutes. Suitable music will be added to the sound track at the editing stage.

MESSAGES: Later, once the guests have relaxed, we will go from table to table with a camera and hand held microphone. Any guests who wish to do so may record messages of good will or their thoughts of the day. We will invite them to do so but do not apply any pressure. If you know of a special friend or family member who may be shy but you would like them to say something please let us know so that we can make a special effort to encourage them.

END TITLES: The video usually ends at this stage or, if we have been booked to that time, the couple going away. We try to get close family members, or friends, to make the closing remarks. As they finish speaking, or as the car pulls off into the distance, music will swell up on the sound track. "THE END - Not really, only the beginning ..." will fade in onto the screen.

RUNNING TIME: The finished video usually lasts one and a half to two hours but they have been longer and shorter. This depends on the length of the service and speeches.

HOME ABOUT US CLIENT FEEDBACK WEDDING PLAN CONTACT LINKS DEMO CLIPS