Blog | Bigler Productions | Cinematic Wedding Videography

How Much Should I Spend On Wedding Videography?

Bigler Productions Blog Post, how much should I spend on my wedding videography?

There is a wedding videographer out there who is just right for your wedding and like anything, your investment will reflect on your return. Simply put: you pay for what you get. For the purpose of this article we have categorized videographers into three general categories; “The Hobbyist”, ”The Professional” and the ”The Artist.” A videographer in any of these three categories may be right for you, depending upon what you are looking for and what you are willing to invest. The price range fluctuates according to experience, skill level and the market area. Keep in mind that the estimated investments listed below are generalized for the northeast and may differ in other market areas. So let’s take a look at what is out there and give you a clear direction in your search for the best wedding videographer for you.

The Hobbyist or Entry Level Videographer
(Packages starting at $500 – $1,500)
These entry level videographers have often been dubbed the “weekend warriors.” These are individuals who either have another full time job or are just starting out. They started out filming a friend’s wedding, had fun and decided that they want to make some extra money on the side. Everyone has to start somewhere and most videographers started at this level. Bigler Productions Blog Post, How much should I spend on my Videographer
RISK: Every videographer learns valuable lessons of “what not to do” simply through shooting more and more weddings. If you choose to go with this level of videographer you do run the risk that they will learn just such a lesson on your wedding. They are also more likely to use entry level equipment and there may be a long waiting period before you receive your completed wedding video.
REWARD: The most obvious reward is the lower price point, as shown above this reward brings greater risks. The other reward is that if you are lucky enough to find a new videographer (making their way up from entry level to professional) then they are going to be passionate about your wedding. They have something to prove and need to get their name out there so they may be willing to do more for you at a lower price point then the recognized professional. (note: this up and coming videographer will likely be younger and have only been in the market for a few years).

BRIDAL TIP: If your potential videographer falls in this category make sure you have a clear and concise contract which outlines exactly what you are getting and when you will be getting it. You are risking quality of product and service, but you might just find the perfect match for your needs and budget. Remember, if the videographer could be charging more, they would. There is a reason they are a “good deal.”

The Professional Videographer
(Packages starting at $2,000 – $3,000)
These videographers have moved past the hobbyist level and are now making a decent living at their craft. They have worked out their “what not to do” lessons on past weddings and are perfecting their craft. They realize that a happy bride is critical to their business remaining successful, therefore they will put the bride first. A professional videographer will also invest their money into getting up-to-date equipment and it will also work in your favor that this level of videographer has also been around enough vendors to know most of the people they are working with. You are not likely to see this videographer in a fist fight with your photographer!
Bigler Productions Videography Team Working RISK: Your risks are far lower with this level of videographer and as a result, you will pay more. You do run the risk that your videographer will not put the same passion into your wedding as the up-and-coming hobbyist. This risk can quickly be assessed simply by meeting with the videographer face to face.
REWARD: Your videographer will have more experience, better equipment and will put your wedding before everything else. They will create a video that should exceed your expectations. You should feel well taken care of with this level of videographer.

BRIDAL TIP: If you can afford it, hiring a videographer at the professional level is a wise investment. Take some time and watch their samples online, they will likely be a good representation of what you are going to get.

The Artist or Upper Level Videographer
(Packages starting at $3,500 – $7,000)
If you are looking for a world class video, a truly hollywood masterpiece in which you get to play the lead role, then this is the level of videographer for you. These are the videographers that fly all over the world filming and their work truly is amazing.
RISK: You are the canvas for their art. This level of videographer is going to produce amazing work, but might be more concerned about how good the final video is going to look then how your wedding day unfolds. You also run the risk of an artist not “playing nice” with other vendors. Bigler Productions Blog Post, How much should I spend on my wedding video, videographer on beach.
REWARD: You will have an amazing piece of art in which you are the star, your friends and family will be in ‘aw’ of your amazing video.

BRIDAL TIP: Do your research, if you have this sort of a budget for video then your videographer might not be local. Follow wedding blogs and find the style of a videographer that you like best and track them down. PS: Plan on booking them in advance, at the very least, a year before your date.

In conclusion:
Do your research! You will pay for what you get. Be realistic, if you have a budget of $1,000 don’t expect your videographer to produce the same quality as an $8,000 videographer. Find someone that is a good match for your budget and needs.

Wedding Video on Blu-Ray or DVD? What’s The Big Deal?

Why does your wedding videographer keep toting Blu-Ray? Isn’t DVD good enough? We have outlined 4 Not-So-Technical-Reason to make sure your wedding video is on Blu-Ray:

Quality
Blu-Ray vs DVD, which should your wedding video be on? Simply put, Blu-Ray is easy on the eyes. The clarity and sharpness of your wedding video on a Blu-Ray blows away the imagery quality displayed on a DVD. ”Our videographer gave us copies of our wedding video on both Blu-Ray and DVD. Having watched both, there is definitely a difference between the DVDs and the Blu-Ray. The Blu-Ray really adds dimension, detail, and provides enhanced color,” said Marina who married Brock in August of 2011. “Our wedding video really looks fantastic, it is very crisp and the picture quality superb. We are very pleased!” (Watch Marina & Brocks Lake George wedding video).
Bridal Tip: if image quality is important to you, make sure your videographer gives you a copy of your wedding video on Blu-Ray.

More Storage
From a videographers standpoint Blu-Ray is great. “I can fit way more content onto a single Blu-Ray disc (up to 50GB) then I can on a standard DVD (4.7GB). That extra space allows me to encode not only a couples Feature and Highlight video on the disc but their behind the scenes “Bridal Cut” as well,” said videographer Dave Bigler.

Minimal Investment
Blu-Ray is not a new technology; it actually was released to the public nearly 12 years ago in the fall of 2000. Having been out for a good period of time you can now get a great Blu-Ray player for well

Do you need your wedding video on Blu-Ray?

less then $100. An added bonus to Blu-Ray players is that you can play your standard definition DVDs on your Blu-Ray player and see a brighter crisper image than if you watch the same DVDs on your old DVD player.

Bridal Tip: if you don’t want to fork over the money for a new Blu-Ray player then just added it to your gift registry and get someone else to buy it for you!

Scratch Resistant Blu-Ray's are scratch resistent!
Blu-ray Disc specification requires the testing of resistance to scratches. In contrast, DVDs are not required to be scratch-resistant. Thus, your wedding video will be less likely to scratch, suffer from damage or degrade in quality over time.
Bridal Tip: if your 2 year old nephew makes it a habit of playing frisbee with your video collection, make sure your wedding video is on Blu-Ray.

Bottom Line:
If you are going to spend thousands on your wedding make sure the video looks as good as it possibly can; make sure your videographer gives you a copy of your wedding video on Blu-Ray.

Watch Marina & Brocks Wedding Video shot at the Sagamore on Lake George:
Video by: BIGLER PRODUCTIONS

Do You Need a Wedding Planner? (Part 2, Budget and Vendor Referrals)

In case you haven’t noticed, your wedding is a big deal coupled with a tremendous amount of decision making. The wedding industry is infused with vendors who all want to be a part of your big day and weeding through the hundreds of options is not a task for the feint of heart. Hiring a wedding coordinator who knows the in’s and out’s of the capital district wedding industry may just save your sanity and your budget. It’s time to hire your own personal wedding planning superhero!

Planner Christine Wheat Bustling a Dress

(Planner Christine Wheat Bustling her Bride's Dress)

Your Very Own Wedding Planner Superhero
If you didn’t believe in people who possess superpowers, a wedding planner may just change your way of thinking. They possess the power to protect you from unnecessary spending, navigate the maze of vendors and provide you with peace of mind. ”Planners can help sift through the endless details and options and match you up with the best option for your style and price range,” said Christine Wheat (Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm LLC). “A good planner will listen to what you like, add a few ideas and then bring back the best options for you to decide on. They should listen and enhance what you and your family want.”

Wedding Planners have the Power to Save you Money Planner Shannon Whitney helping a bride to her ceremony
The investment in a wedding planner can be the very investment that ends up saving you money. ”A wedding planner can also help you create a realistic budget and payment management spreadsheet. They can help determine what the big ticket items are and how to decide on those up front,” said Christine. ”Although planners are also perceived as a luxury vendor, it is also important to understand that planners can be a critical part of managing a wedding budget,” said Taia Younis of (Inspired Occasions). ”By helping to formulate an initial budget, recommending vendors in the appropriate price point and offering money saving alternatives, planners can actually help couples stick to their budget and reduce wasted expenses.”

Hiring a wedding coordinator may be the wisest fiscal decision you make. ”I think people are surprised at how affordable a wedding coordinator can be,” said Katie O’ (Katie O’ Events). “You have invested a lot of time and money into your wedding day and having someone there to help ensure that everything goes well is what most clients tell us is their best investment.”

Wedding Planners help you find the right Vendor
Wedding coordinators can be your very own GPS navigation system as you try to map your way through the seemingly endless options of wedding vendors. ”Planners are usually offered 10-15% discounts from many vendors, which are then passed along to their clients,” said Christine Wheat (Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm LLC). Planners know what the best items are to invest in and what items will not be missed on the big day and they also know the suppliers that are ‘off the beaten path’ and that can offer dependable product or service or that cannot be counted on.”

(Planner Shannon Whitney with another happy couple)

Planning a successful wedding can be created on a foundation of vendors that share your vision and compliment your style and personality and your wedding planners know and understand that. ”One of the most critical decisions a couple makes when planning a successful wedding is which vendors they will entrust to bring their vision to life,” said Taia Younis (Inspired Occasions). “Planners have the luxury of knowing who the local vendors are and which ones are doing quality work. Planners almost act as matchmakers; understanding the needs and budget of their clients and connecting them with the best quality vendors that the couple can afford. This can save couples hours of research or worse . . . feelings of regret on their wedding day when a vendor falls short of the couple’s expectations.”

“As a planner I help my couples find the venue and vendors who are the best fit for them,” said Shannon Whitney (Wedding Planning Plus). “I guide them through the design and decor decisions to bring their vision to reality, and I make sure there is no detail or piece of the planning that is missed or forgotten along the way.”

“There is no question; when a wedding planner is involved I can create a better video! They take so much pressure off us vendors and allow us to do what we were hired for,” said videographer Dave Bigler of Bigler Productions.

Thanks to the great wedding planners that contributed to this article:
Taia Younis, Inspired Occasions

Do You Need A Wedding Planner? (Part 1, The Ultimate Stress Reliever)

Bigler Productions Blog Post, Bride Planning her wedding

A wedding planner can save your marriage before the wedding even takes place. The sanctimonious beauty of your wedding day can be tarnished by high levels of stress and worry. Too busy? Family drama? Forgotten details? Can’t find the best man? A wedding planner possesses the capability to ease the drama, remember every detail and even track down your best man.

As a wedding videography company Bigler Productions often gets asked our opinion on the true value of wedding coordinators. There are SO many great reasons to invest in a wedding coordinator that we had to split this post in two! Next week we will focus on the ability of a wedding planner to assist you in keeping within your budget and the pivotal information they can provide in recommending your potential vendors. For now, we will look closely at how a wedding coordinator can take your wedding planning from do-able to amazing in stress free fashion.

LESS REAL LIFE STRESS
The hours you invest in planning your wedding could suffice as another full time job! Real life refuses to be put on hold just because your big day is on the horizon. Many brides start to feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the process. ”Today’s couples are very busy people, often working long hours and having additional commitments with graduate school, a second job, family or community interests,” said Shannon Whitney (Wedding Planning Plus). ”Planning a wedding can seem like a 40-hour a week project and a lot of busy couples just don’t have the time available to spend researching every option in the area for cakes or making sure they didn’t miss any possibilities for local venues. A wedding planner is the wedding expert who can save couples tons of time and energy by presenting them with their best vendor options and cutting out all of that hefty research time.”

Planner Katie O' with a few last minute touches before her bride walks down the aisle

(Planner Katie O' with her bride before she walks down the aisle)

LESS WEDDING DAY STRESS
Your wedding day should be a day for creating priceless memories. It should not be a day spent double checking every detail and making sure your bridal party is where they should be, including your best man. ”Having a coordinator on your wedding day truly allows you to be relaxed, stress free and enjoy your day surrounded by your family and friends.” - Katie O’ (Katie O’ Events). Let’s face it. Weddings are minefields of potential stressors and a seasoned wedding coordinator can help any bride and groom navigate this somewhat daunting frontier. ”I can’t tell you how many brides tell me that they are feeling pressure from a parent, a friend, or a guest in regards to something with the wedding,” said Shannon Whitney (Wedding Planning Plus).

The focus of your wedding day bliss can diminish if you are worried about how the day is going to unfold. ”It’s your wedding, you should not be stressing about the fact that the cake is running 30 minutes late, you should be hanging with your friends and family. Pay someone else to stress and enjoy your day!” said Videographer Dave Bigler (Bigler Productions).

(Planner Shannon Whitney solving a dress crisis)

LESS STRESSING OVER DETAILS
“Wedding planners are not only used for the full planning of an event, we are also utilized quite frequently as day-of wedding coordinators. Even if you want to plan your wedding yourself there is a moment along the way where you sit and wonder who is going to be responsible for all of the tiny details on your wedding day,” said Shannon Whitney (Wedding Planning Plus). The detail shouldn’t be left to the bride or to anyone in her bridal party or family. “A day-of wedding coordinator is the perfect vendor to take the reigns on your big day and allow you and your loved ones the opportunity to relax and stay engaged in the special moments. Day-of wedding coordination is the fastest growing segment of my business because the service is so vital and so invaluable. Ask any bride who decided to hire a coordinator and they will tell you it was easily the best investment they ever made!”

Katie O’ (Katie O’ Events) explained that you can certainly plan your own wedding but most brides don’t want to be telling people what to do on their wedding day or worrying about all the little details you have worked so hard on. ”With a coordinator on your team you can trust that everything will run smoothly and on time!” said Taia Younis (Inspired Occasions). ”In caring for the couple, managing vendors and the timeline, overseeing the décor installation, etc, Planners are there with one goal in mind – produce a flawless event and make a couple’s dream come true!”

Planner Taia Younis with bride, Francesca. (Watch this wedding video below).

(Planner Taia Younis with bride just before she sees her groom)

DON’T WORRY, IT’S TAKEN CARE OF…AND WE FOUND THE BEST MAN.
“Above all else, planners offer couples peace of mind that all the time, money and energy invested into their special day will result in a wedding that meets or exceeds all of their expectations,” said Taia Younis (Inspired Occasions). “Wedding Planners are the one vendor whose sole purpose is to ensure that the couple, their bridal party and family are taken care of and that the couple’s vision is executed flawlessly.”
“I see a drastic difference in the overall attitude of brides that have day of coordinators helping them out. They are so much more relaxed and care-free. How can you put a price on that?” – Videographer Dave Bigler (Bigler Productions).

“Many of my couples state that one of their top priorities for the wedding day is to be able to relax and not worry about anything. Hiring a coordinator will allow you to do just that!” – Katie O’ (Katie O’ Events). After reading this you might just come to the realization that these Capital District wedding coordinators may just become your wedding day lifeline, oh and they all know just how to find the disappearing best man!

Featured in this article:
Taia Younis, Inspired Occasions

“Special thanks to Katie, Taia and Shannon for contributing the content for this article. I have personally worked with all three and have nothing but amazing things to say about each. If you are getting married make sure that you have a wedding planner!” – Dave Bigler

Wedding Videography? I really thought pictures would be enough…

Danielle and Matt poured their heart and soul into planning their 2011 October wedding. Danielle was eager to celebrate and to embrace every beautiful detail about their once in a lifetime wedding day. It wasn’t until a conversation with her sister-in-law that Danielle realized she may have overlooked one vital detail, the wedding videographer.

Bigler Productions Blog Post - Danielle and Matt - Photo by Clark+Walker hall-of-springs_07

Was Videography Something You Were Considering For Your Wedding?
“We were actually dead set on NOT having a videographer,” said Danielle. “It wasn’t until my sister-in-law explained to me that her only regret was not hiring someone to video her wedding. She explained that the day is such a whirlwind and it all becomes such a blur that I would never remember it all. I didn’t want any regrets. It was then, I began doing my research to find a videographer.”

What Was Your Perception Of Wedding Videography Prior To Hiring?
“I really thought pictures would be enough. The wedding was already so expensive and I wasn’t sure I wanted to increase the cost of the wedding. Our photographer (Clark+Walker) was awesome, but I can’t even begin to talk about how amazing our video is. I can’t believe I almost didn’t do it. At first, I really thought a video would be over-doing it a bit.”

Did You Have Concerns About Hiring A Wedding Videographer?
Danielle had said she really only had one concern about hiring a videographer and that was having a camera man who seemed to intrude on the day.”I had been to weddings of friends and family and these video guys were always in your face, they had these bright lights, they were so obvious in what they were doing. I didn’t like that, I didn’t want that.” As Danielle continued to talk with her potential wedding videographers she wanted to make sure they would be able to do the job without stealing the spotlight or making her guests uncomfortable.

Describe The Experience Of Having A Videographer At Your Wedding.
“Our videographers were very professional, punctual and they seemed just as excited about our wedding as we were.” Danielle said her guests and friends did not even know a wedding videographer was around the entire evening. ”They found the most precious moments and honestly, I was running on straight adrenaline and there were things they found and got on video that I never saw or just don’t remember. I honestly don’t really remember them even being there!”

Bigler Productions Blog Post - Danielle and Matt - Photo by Clark+Walker hall-of-springs_16 What Was The Best Part Of Hiring A Videographer?
Danielle couldn’t count the number of meaningful moments the videographer caught throughout the entire day, but she melted when she saw the raw emotions of her parents during her first dance. “I was so engrossed in what I was doing I never saw what was going on with my parents.” However, because of her video she was able to step back and see the emotional response of her mother and father. ”You can just take and relive each moment.” Danielle explained another aspect she loved was the ability to watch the video and really digest the speeches that were given. Even though she heard them at her wedding, she was able to take the time to really listen to what her maid of honor had said, what their best man had spoken about and the words her father conveyed to her. ”I will never forget it all now, I didn’t realize how much I had missed until I went back and listened again.”

What Made The Video Worth The Investment?
“It’s tangible, you have memories that you will keep forever and ever and ever. I loved our photographs. Our photographer was amazing, but watching the video you catch the emotions. I can’t even explain it, but just to be able to see the live footage, there is just a difference.”

Are You Glad You Hired A Videographer?
“If any bride ever had questions about hiring a videographer, I say to give them my cell phone number and let’s talk,” Danielle laughed. “Seriously, I found the end product absolutely amazing… It is totally worth the investment. I can’t say that enough. You will regret not doing it.”

Any Tips For A Bride Who Is Shopping Around For A Videographer?
“I think you want someone enthusiastic, fun and professional . Someone who can work with your other vendors especially your photographer.” Danielle said her videographer had promised her video before Christmas and Christmas Eve her video was delivered. “That’s the kind of videographer you want to hire. The one who will make a Christmas Eve delivery.”

Watch Their Video by Bigler Productions:

Photography by Clark+Walker Studio. Video by Bigler Productions

Megan & Eric’s DVD Invitations

A really fun product that we offer is our DVD invitations. We will film you and your fiancee as you invite all your guests to join you at your wedding. We then create you a custom DVD that you mail with your paper invite to all your guests. For Megan and Eric’s DVD Invites we filmed all over the place; not sure which I enjoyed more, filming on Gore Mtn or at Plumb Dandy! Look for Megan & Eric’s Wedding Highlight Video to be released this summer.

Videography Coverage? How Much Time Should I Book My Wedding Videographer For?

Bigler Productions Blog - video coverage - hanging pocket watches
You have invested incredulous hours planning the details of your wedding day. From the guest list to the flowers and detailed decor, you have chosen the very elements that make this day a true celebration of your uniqueness. There is no doubt you will want to live it all over and over again. Now it is time to schedule your videographer… how many hours should you purchase them for?

You Have To Decide:
What kind of coverage do you want? There are many options to consider. Some wedding videographers offer a ‘ceremony-only’ package, others offer a limited coverage option. Then, there is always the option for full day coverage. So many options, which is right for you?

Ceremony Only: Photo by Elario Photography - Bigler Productions Blog - Videography Coverage - Melissa & Dave Ceremony
Some videographers offer the ‘ceremony-only’ package. This is usually a very cost effective video option, but you have to consider that in the end all you will have in your wedding video is your ceremony. The ceremony is extremely important, but years from now will you actually sit down and watch your 90-minute Catholic mass all the way through? Will you wonder what made you laugh while you were getting ready or how your groom looked before he headed to the altar? Will you wish you could see how funny your best man was during his toast or how beautiful it was to see your mother and father whispering to each other during your first dance? These are all things you will want to consider when looking at your wedding video options.

Bridal Tip: If your budget is tight (and you are just looking for ceremony coverage anyway) consider having a family friend set up a few cameras around the church. It will not be as well produced as a professional (and the audio will be poor) but you will save some cash and you will still have the coverage.

Limited Coverage:
A limited wedding video package usually includes 5 to 6 hours of coverage. It is a package designed for couples adhering to a budget or couples that would prefer to start their video package at the start of the ceremony. This type of coverage usually runs through the entire ceremony and important elements of the reception. While having the reception coverage in your video will be a better keepsake then just the ceremony you will miss out on anything that happens before the ceremony.

Have you considered…
All that happens before your ceremony? As the bride, when you get ready there are many invaluable moments which occur with your bridesmaids and family. There will be spontaneous sparks of nervous laughter, cherished words spoken and humorous candid moments that you will want to capture and keep.

Photo by Elario Photography - Bigler Productions Blog - Videography Coverage - Melissa & Dave Dress

Full Day Coverage
If a full day is in your budget, then this is the way to go. “Before the dress is on, before the hair and makeup are perfect, the true personality and character of the bride shines through… those are the moments when a videographer can truly capture the essence and foundation of the day,” said videographer Dave Bigler. A magical moment can happen at any time and those moments can be relived over and over again in a couple’s wedding video. There may be nothing truer to a couple’s memory than allowing a wedding videographer complete access to the entire day.

Bridal Tip: Some videographers will be willing to cut out some extra elements from a video package in order to allow for more coverage time. It never hurts to ask your videographer to customize their offering for you!

But I’m Camera Shy!
So, you are saying you don’t want some creepy guy filming you and your girls as you get ready?
“Then don’t hire a creepy camera guy! A good videographer will watch how people are interacting with the camera and adapt accordingly. If a bride clearly does not want to see the camera, then a good videographer will become invisible. If on the other hand the bride is hamming it up and clearly having a great time, then the videographer will react to that. A good videographer will seem like another friend at your wedding, not a hired vendor,” Dave explained.

Happily Ever After
Your wedding day will be something you celebrate every year for years to come. Your video package will be one of the most pivotal decisions you make. You will want to relive those treasured moments, so carefully consider the best package to reflect what is most important to you.

Bridal Tip: Skimp on the add-ons in order to get as much coverage as you can afford. Purchase as many hours as you can, because in the end, the ability to watch your moments unfold years from your wedding day will be a keepsake you will cherish.

Special Thanks to JP & Joe from Elario Photography for the above images. They were captured at Melissa & Dave’s wedding this past summer. Bigler Productions produced their wedding video below, enjoy!

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Videographer Before You Book

Bigler Productions, Wedding Videography, 5 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Videographer Before You Book. After a lot of consideration, you have made the decision. You want to hire a videographer for the biggest event of your life…your wedding. You have also realized the decision making process just grew a little more tedious as you try to sift through a number of professional wedding videographers in an effort to find the right one.

We aren’t looking to make any enemies on the playground, but we thought it wise to share a few inside questions that will help you distinguish between the great videographer and the not so great.

1. When Will I Get My Final Video?
Timing is everything. The hardest critique a wedding videographer receives is how long it takes them to get your video to you. “The most enjoyable part of wedding videography is getting to spend the entire day with a couple; being creative, having fun and getting those amazing moments on camera! The most tedious part of the job is editing; it is a hard and long process and there is no easy way around that,” says videographer Dave Bigler.

Bridal Tip: Make sure that your videographers’ turn-around time is realistic and it is outlined in your contract.

2. Do I Get To Pick Out My Own Music?
Some videographers let you pick out your own music, some do not. There are some videographers who fear that if they allow you to pick the music that you will choose out of date music that is overplayed. “Do I let our brides pick out their own music? Absolutely. It’s their video, not mine. I want each wedding to reflect the attitude and character of that couple. That’s why if you look at our site we have such a diversity of songs, these were songs chosen by the bride, not me. I will make suggestions, but ultimately it’s up to the bride.” Dave explained.

Bridal Tip: If music is important to you, make sure that you have final say on which songs your videographer is going to use for your wedding video.

3. What If I Don’t Like My Video?
Bride on phone The horror stories are out there! Ask around and you will hear from brides who were not happy with how their wedding video was edited and how the videographer was no longer reachable to help with any changes. Ideally, this will not happen to you, but never negate the possibility. Your videographer should always be available to you. It’s amazing how easy they are to reach when you want to pay them, but when you need a few changes, they are on an extended vacation to Bermuda!

Bridal Tip: Make sure your contract spells out what happens if you want to have changes made.

4. What Is Your Emergency Plan If You Can’t Be At My Wedding?
Crazy things can happen and an experienced videographer knows this! A seasoned professional will have a backup plan in place in case they have an emergency and can’t be at your wedding. Have them outline this plan to you. Ask them if you will receive a refund if the unfortunate should happen.

Bridal Tip: Make sure your videographer has a back up plan and that it is clearly outlined in your contract.

5. Do You Have A Comprehensive Contract?
Have you noticed the theme woven through these five questions? The thread that pulls this all together is your contract. Read through your contract carefully and make sure both you and your videographer sign it. You need the peace of mind that if anything crazy or unplanned should happen, they have already thought of it and you are completely taken care of. Ask the hard questions. Do your research. Avoid having to tell your own personal horror story.

Closing Bridal Tip: Ask the right questions to make sure you have chosen the right videographer for you.

Happy Bride, Thumbs Up

Ask the right questions before you buy!

WellWed features Bigler Productions

Bigler Productions was recently featured in WellWed’s vendor spotlight: http://www.weddingsnystate.com/blog/spotlight/saratoga-springs-talent-spotlight-bigler-productions

WellWed is one of our favorit local wedding publications; a great resource for any bride or groom looking for info to help in the planning of their wedding.

Wedding Videography? It Wasn’t For Us, But Then….

Wedding Videography? Katie & Neil's Wedding - Photo by Bailly Photo

The daunting task of planning a wedding in the fall of 2010 was something Katie took in stride. She and her would-be groom, Neil found a venue, composed a guest list and attended to all the necessary details.

One thing was certain, Katie did not want a wedding videographer. It was an easy choice at first. She did not want someone intruding on their special day and shining bright lights at people and asking her guests to do “interviews.” She wanted her wedding to be about her and Neil and her family and friends.

Katie was confident in her decision about not hiring a wedding videographer until a family friend expressed how much they loved their son’s video from his wedding. ”They were so happy they had done it, so I decided to do a little more research,” said Katie.

Katie & Neil's Wedding - Photo by Bailly Photo

What Changed Your Mind About Hiring A Wedding Videographer?
“When I met with the videographer he explained so much to us,” said Katie. “He showed us the lights he would be using. They weren’t the big bright lights I had been picturing. He was very easy to talk to and explained he wouldn’t be doing interviews. We wouldn’t even know he was there.”

What Helped You In Your Decision Going Forward?
“He showed us samples of his work and he took us through the entire process of how he works a wedding, he answered all our questions and we ended up booking him and we were so happy we did.”

What Was It Like Having A Videographer With You Through Your Wedding Day?
“During the ceremony we didn’t even know he was there,” said Katie. ”He had such an awesome personality, it was really like having another friend at your wedding.”

What Were Some Of Your Thoughts When You Saw Your Wedding Video For The First Time?
“I was so surprised at how much I would have never seen,” Katie explained. ”As the bride you never see your friends walking down the aisle, I would have never seen my niece and nephew and how cute they were during the ceremony. I got to see some things that I would have missed being the bride.”

Katie & Neil's First Dance - Photo by Bailly Photo

The Video Captured A Favorite Moment I Would Have Never Seen
“Our videographer was there to see my husband getting ready, it was so funny and cool to see how nervous he was before the wedding. He was taking deep breaths and just looked so nervous. I am so glad I got to see that.”

Wedding Video Watches?
“I have watched this video so many times, there is nothing like going back and watching it,” Katie explained she loved sitting with her husband on their first anniversary and reliving the day all over again.

Katie and Neil have been married for a year and a half and still relish in the moments of their wedding day through the video. The investment was more than worth it!

Katie And Neil’s Wedding Video: Check it out for yourself…

Photos by Bailly Photography