Some couples choose their proffered Videographer 9 months to a year before the wedding. Very often a Videographer is the very first item on their checklist.   Why would booking a Videographer rank so high on the Wedding list? Most likely they are among the minority who understand the production work required to produce  a quality wedding video. For this bride and groom, it will be a very precious heirloom that will preserve their wedding memories. For others, wedding videos are considered boring or uninteresting to watch. Why is this?

Since the advent of consumer video cameras in the early 1980s, weddings have run amuck with "Uncle John’s" recording weddings as a favour, gifts or just by default of owning a video camera. This usually results in low quality production that has given wedding video a poor reputation. Isn't it easy to tell a home production from a Television one? Similarly, it's easy to distinguish a well-produced wedding video from an unprofessional one. I understand perfectly why couples opt not to have their wedding filmed if the production level is going to be poor. But, why is a quality wedding DVD so expensive?

Quality wedding DVD is expensive because it involves more than just the price of the tape/DVD; otherwise wedding videos would only cost about £10.00 - £15.00. It's the cost of a Producer/Videographer, a person that has to work within the often restrictive guidelines of a Church and create a product for a client used to seeing “broadcast quality" when they turn on the television.

The wedding Videographer must capture, with one try, what television programmes would take,

retake and retake again until they have the correct shot. Television programmes also have a highly controllable soundstage. Wedding Videographer’s must mix sound in a variety of challenging conditions. Besides being swift and unobtrusive, a quality Videographer has a creative eye, techniques, and experience. You will want to hear the audio like you were standing next to the speaker. You will want stable camera shots and smooth pans. You will want clear shots that are well lit. You will want a tape or DVD that is skilfully edited and tastefully produced. Are you asking for too much?

No. But it is important to note that quality has does have a price. Part of the cost is paying for the creativity, experience and demonstrated ability of the Videographer. Usually the greater percentage of the price will be for purchasing and maintaining professional equipment used to professionally film and edit your Wedding Day as well as the various costs associated with running any business. The decision of whether to, or how much to spend on a wedding video is a very personal one. For some, not getting one or one of poor quality will suffice. For others, purchasing the best possible video is their only option.

For those who desire a quality video/DVD of their wedding, the saying "you get what you pay for", is applicable. But why would you want a Wedding Video or DVD you may ask…Well, of all the events of your lifetime, the most cherished may be your very own Wedding. Preserving this moment with video/DVD, like no other medium can, will enable you to relive the event and share it with your family and friends. Perhaps even your children and grandchildren.