We here at McKenna Video Services are tooling up for another great year of video production. Two years ago, we decided to do something that we hadn't done before: we opted for a booth at the Tacoma Wedding Expo. We were privileged to talk with a lot of brides about the possibilities of a video production of their wedding. And while a great deal of them were receptive to the idea, many were not. And so as we get ready for another weddings season, we find motivation for this blog.
In talking with brides, we find that their top three priorities is a wedding/reception site, a dress, and a florist, followed by photographer and caterers. Video usually ranks somewhere along the bottom. Why is this? Is it because of the cost and budgets can get real tight when planning a wedding? Is it because most people have their own video camera, thus giving Uncle Charlie the ability to shoot your wedding and present it to you as a gift? Is it because when weddings were invented video was not around, in other words, tradition? It's probably a little bit of all these, and possibly a little bit more. But let me take the next few moments to talk about the three aforementioned reasons.
Tradition. Yes, it is true that when weddings were invented video wasn't around. The same can be said for photography for that matter, yet you'd still want to have your wedding photographed, wouldn't you? How about the carefully thought-out flower arrangements, or the DJ for your reception? The fact of the matter is technology has evolved over the years and so have weddings. Most people, even those that steadfastly refuse to have video, appreciate the fact that they have "moving pictures" years later. No medium can capture the fun, the excitement, and the emotion like video can. Think of it this way, someone says or does something funny at your wedding or reception and everybody laughs. SNAP-you have a picture. Priceless. But can you hear those that were photographed actually laugh as you turn the pages in your album to that particular page? Can you see and hear the exact moment that the laughter turned into hysterics? Can you hear the comment that made them all roll on the floor? Not so with photographs (and these comments are coming from a photographer), but with video, the likelihood of capturing those particular moments has increased exponentially.
A recent study commissioned by WEVA International states that 98% of all surveyed newlyweds recommend video to future brides. Interestingly, brides don't fully appreciate the value of video until after the wedding. Before the wedding, only a little more than half of surveyed brides considered video a "Top 10" service in comparison to other wedding-related services. After the wedding, however, the number climbs to 75%.
Do you or someone you know own a video camera? Just about everyone does these days.
Technology has made them very affordable. And guess what, your Uncle Charlie has just offered to tape your wedding and give it to you as a gift. What a nice guy!!! But wait, consider a couple of differences between a professional videographer and uncle Charlie before accepting your uncle's offer and foregoing a professional. First is equipment. A professional videographer will have invested thousands of dollars into professional equipment vs. the three hundred dollar model your uncle shelled out for his. A professional will have numerous high-end cameras (giving you a better picture and possibly even different angles), appropriate microphones ('wiring' up the groom so you can actually hear your vows), and lights when needed or as appropriate just to name a few. Training is another big difference. A professional videographer will know how to use their camera and will know what all the buttons actually do (once again for a better picture). And since they will be removed from the action of the day, a professional will actually be in place to get the best shot (given certain limitations placed on them by a priest, pastor, minister, confines of the location, safety, etc.). The final big difference is in the edit and delivery of your production. While there are some very easy-to-use and inexpensive video editing programs available, they just do not live up to the form and function that professional video editing can deliver.
Cost. Yes, video can stretch your budget a little. But consider the cost of a video production over the life of your marriage. If your video costs two thousand dollars, and you spread the cost over 5 years, that boils the cost down to just four hundred dollars a year-certainly affordable for any budget. Planning on staying married longer? The cost, amortized over the life of your marriage becomes a lot less expensive with each passing year.
And many years down the road, how can one apply that cost to having your children witness your marriage? As the Visa commercials tell us: it's PRICELESS!!! Most couples do not want to skimp on their photographer, their florist, their caterer or any of the other wedding "must haves", so why skimp on a video? If you choose to have your wedding videotaped, don't cut corners here either. Your wedding day is the biggest day of your life. It is the desire of McKenna Video Services - MVS Wedding Productions to make sure that the day doesn't end when the lights go out and the guests go home. You should be able to enjoy this day and the memories that are created on this day for the rest of your life.
God's blessings,
Chris
http://www.mckennavideo.com/http://www.mvsweddings.com/http://www.chrismckennaphotography.com/
