Memories

Wedding Memories

Don Special Events, Weddings , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What are your memories worth?

Today ended up being a pretty rainy day so since we didn’t get to do the Easter Egg hunt with the girls, we decided to make today a quite day at home.  So, I decided to take a rare day off and just spend some time surfing the web and catching up on some things.  I ended up on one of the wedding message boards that I like to go to and noticed that one statement kept popping up; “$500 seems like a lot of money for a wedding video.” “Is a video really worth the $800 they are asking for?”and then my favorite one: “I don’t understand why wedding videos are so expensive.”.  These are also questions I hear a lot from brides as I’m meeting with them to discuss wedding video.  Most times I give them the standard “your wedding day goes so fast, you won’t remember anything.” and “you will never see your self walk up the aisle in your wedding dress.” answers but I have always wanted to have a better response to those questions and statements.  This afternoon, my wife came up with the best answer and I want to share it with you, because it makes sense when you think about it. I’m going to refer to post on here about the average cost of a wedding with the information provided by TheKnot.com’s annual wedding report.

  Venue – $12,116

The venue is one of the first places a bride picks for her wedding day.  It is the key to the entire wedding day and sets the tone for the day.  However, the thing most brides don’t know is that half way through your reception, the venue staff is already getting ready for next weekend.  Never thought about that before, did you?  It’s true.  The venue has a wedding the next weekend and the following weekend and the weekend after that.  That’s not to say they don’t care about you, they do, but they also care about the bride next weekend.  Also, how many bride do you think go back to their wedding venue on their first anniversary?  That answer would be none.  $12,116 gone and you get nothing for it in return

Flowers – $1,894

Flowers are very important as well, who could picture a bride without a bouquet?  The flowers provide the beauty that focus on the bride and her day.  But, how long do they last?  Most times, they last about a week.  I know some brides dry the flowers and either press them in a scrapbook or create a shadow box with them.  I guess my thing is why spend $1,894 on something that’s going to die in a few days?  This is the reason I don’t get my wife roses on Valentines day.  She would kill me for spending all that money on something that’s going to die in a few days.  $1,894 gone and you nothing for it in return

Reception DJ – $988

Now, what would a reception be without some great music and an emcee to help move the events of the evening along?  A pretty boring night.  We have some great DJ’s in our area and I would suggest any one of them for your reception.  I, personally, prefer a DJ as apposed to a live band.  A live band has a set list they play, that’s it. If your guest don’t enjoy the band, they most likely won’t get up and dance.  However, a professional DJ can read your guest and make adjustments to keep your reception flowing and fun.  But at the end of the night, after you leave the DJ packs up and is planning for the next wedding next weekend.  $988 gone and you get nothing in return.

Memories

I could go on for the rest of this blog post talking all the different parts of your wedding and how they are nice at the time, but they give you nothing in return.  I mean after all, at the end of your day all you have, besides a husband, are memories.  Memories that fade over time.  It’s a fact, most people only retain less then 50% of an event the next day.  As time goes on, that percentage gets lower and lower.  There are only two ways to capture memories.  Photography and Videography.   For most brides, a photographer is the third or fourth thing they book and I suggest that you get a great photographer.  But, only a video will allow you to not only see your wedding day, you can hear it and watch it move as well.  A professional videographer will capture those moments you missed, moments like your vows, that first dance, spending time with your mother and the list just goes on and on.  So my answer to those brides who say that $800 is too much to spend on a wedding video, I will say this;  how much are your memories worth?  How much are the memories of your day worth to you?  Memories are priceless and a wedding video provides you with a lifetime of memories.

Video or Film: What’s The Difference?

Don Films, Special Events, Weddings , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video or Film: What’s The Difference?

I was asked a very good question by someone last night.  I was asked by a lady at the table next to us last night “What’s the difference between a wedding video and a wedding film?”.   I was having dinner last night with my wife and some friends and I guess the lady overheard me talking about a wedding film I’m working on.  Seems her daughter is getting married next year and she was thinking about getting a video done, but really wanted to know why I was calling it a film.  I know on my blog I have talked about wedding films and how important they are in capturing your magical day, but do you know the difference between a wedding film and a wedding video?

Let me explain it this way; I can give anyone a video camera and say “Go video that wedding over there.”.  I can even give a 4 year old a camera and tell them to push the button and video something.  The question is, would you want to watch that video?  Most of you would say “No”, unless the 4 year old was your child or somehow related.  Even then you would watch it maybe once and that would be it.  But, in the same way if I said to Steven Spielberg “Go shoot that wedding over there.” first off he would look at me like “Any you are…?”.  But for argument sake, lets say I could do that.  That would be something you would watch, a Steven Spielberg wedding film.  That’s the difference.

Anyone can hold a video camera, point it in the right direction and push the button.  You can even record HD video on your smart phones now.  But, there’s no work involved in that, no way to tell a story or to really capture the feelings and emotions of that day.  Think about all the “videos” your family has stored in a closet someplace.  There are birthday parties, vacations, special occasions on those tapes, some of your families most memorable moments.  But when was the last time you pulled that box down and watched one of those videos?  My guess would be “never” or “hardly ever”.

Now think about the DVD’s you have around your house.  I’m a movie lover so we have TONS of DVD’s in our house.  I have two huge bookcases just for those DVD’s.  But, look around at the ones you have and my guess is that one or more of those DVD’s has your favorite movie on it.  For me it’s the Star Wars Saga.  I bet you I have seen those movies a million times, but I will still put in one of those movies from time to time when we are just relaxing or with friends.  I have no doubt you do the same thing.  Those movies tell a story, are full of emotions, and special moments.  Those are films, works of art, someone’s labor of love.

That’s what a wedding film is, a work of art.  A film is something someone will spend hours and hours working on making sure every part of it is just right.  The lighting is perfect, the sound is good and the music is in the right place.  Do you think Uncle Bob is going to spend that much time on your wedding film?  Unless he is a professional editor, my answer would be “No”.   I create wedding films, a living history of your wedding day.  One of the most important days in your life, a milestone moment, the beginning of a new chapter in your life.   I, and my team, work very hard to make sure we get all those special moments that you will never see and all the moments you do see but will have a hard time remembering years from now. Did you know you will never see yourself walk up that aisle in the perfect wedding dress?  You will never see the look on his when he sees you for the first time in that dress.  And years from now, on that day you’re missing your dad the most, you will never get to see that dance you had with him.  I create a work of art that you will WANT to watch.  Something you will want to share with your family and friends.  Something you will put right beside your favorite movies.  In most cases, this work of art, my labor of love, will become your new favorite movie of all time.

Ask your self, as you’re planning the wedding of a lifetime, do you want a simple video that will never see the light of day or do you want a piece of art, something that will tell the story of your wedding day?  Something you will watch now and something you will share with your family in the years to come.  Picture your self watching your wedding film with your daughter as she gets ready for her wedding day.  It will happen sooner then you think.

Is The Wedding Film Really Worth It?

Don Advertising, Films, Weddings No Comments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is The Wedding Film Really Worth It?

This has to be one of the most popular questions I hear when brides talk to me about wedding films.  Is it really worth it?  I can’t answer that for you.  That sounds strange, doesn’t it?  I’m a wedding filmmaker and I can’t tell you if a wedding film is worth it or not.  Wasn’t the answer you were looking for, right?

Well there is a reason why I can’t answer that question and the reason is simple; I’m not YOU.  I have found over the years that every bride has something that’s really important to her, something that is key to her.  Some brides put the major importance on flowers and decorations.  Other maybe feel food is more important or the reception.  Every bride is different and everyone of them look at things differently.  So, for me to tell you that a wedding film is really worth it is not my place.  I can tell you that I have worked with brides who thought that the wedding film was the most important part of their wedding and I’ve worked with one bride who was on the fence about the wedding film altogether.  I’ll tell you about her later.

I do, however, think it would be best to hear from brides like you who are thinking about wedding films.  I found a web site not too long ago called WeddingBee.com. This is really just a message board where brides like you can post questions about any part of their wedding; should I invite kids to the wedding?  What kind of music should I play?  Any suggestions on a first dance song?  The list just goes on and on with questions that brides like you have.  Don’t be surprised if you find that question that’s been bugging you for weeks is on the board someplace.

I, of course, go to the video board all the time to see what is being said and today I found this: “How often do you watch your wedding video? Was it worth the cost?“  That one question hits the nail on the head for so many brides like you.  You want to know if this is something your going to watch ever again and is it worth it?  Instead of me giving you the answer, her are some of answers posted on this and other boards with the same question:

“I was one of those people who was very against a video. I thought it was a waste of money and we had splurged so much on our photos. I thought that was enough. My in-laws insisted and insisted. I found one of the least expensive people in my area. Let me tell you, and I would never admit this to (groom) or his family, I am SO SO SO glad they insisted. Our video is AMAZING!! I watch it all the time and it captured moments the photographer couldn’t. I don’t regret it at all and we didn’t go nuts on the cost. Here is our preview cause I love showing it off, but seriously I am am so happy we have it and you don’t have to break the bank on.”

“I did not get a videographer.  That is the only regret of my wedding.  I had an AMAZING photographer and my photos could not have captured everything better, but I still wish I had a video.  That’s the one thing I would change if I could go back.  I say do it:)”

“YES, get one. I can’t tell you how much we love our video and how happy we are that we got one. We booked it super close to the wedding–like 3 weeks before–because we were unsure, but we were SO happy that we did. Hearing our vows over again, getting to see everyone dancing, it was just wonderful. So I would highly highly recommend it!!”

“YES, get one. I can’t tell you how much we love our video and how happy we are that we got one. We booked it super close to the wedding–like 3 weeks before–because we were unsure, but we were SO happy that we did. Hearing our vows over again, getting to see everyone dancing, it was just wonderful. So I would highly highly recommend it!!”

This one is my favorite:   “The main reason people who got a video don’t watch it is poor quality.  If you have a video professioanlly done, you’ll watch it more often.  We did DIY video for our wedding and my sister had a pro.  I watch her video more than I watch mine because you can hear everything clearly and the picture isn’t all shaky, discolored and grainy. Hers is also like a movie and mine is just random shots.  Sure, you can put the camera on a tripod and make it steady, but you can’t make that tripod move around the room by itself.  That reminds me of my aunt’s wedding video from the 80′s.  The camera guy hardly ever moved. He may as well have been a  tripod. REALLY BORING!  Part of the reason I didn’t want a pro, but with my sister’s video, I learned that things are different now.”

This is my favorite for a number of reasons, but the main reason being that she covers it all.  Brides who say they got a video but never watch it because it’s so bad or hard to watch.  When you hear this, ask them who shot their wedding.  Most likely it was a family member or a friend.  But what gets me the most is that she watches her sisters wedding film more then she watches her own.  Now, there are those on the board who say they have no regret about not having a wedding film made and you may very well be one of those brides, but let me tell you about Ashley:

Ashely contacted me about 6 months before her wedding.  Her friend got married and I had done her wedding film and she wasn’t sure if she wanted one or not.  She told me up front she was on the fence about the whole thing.  Ashley told me she loved the film I had done for her friend and all but she just didn’t think it was something she would watch ever again.  We talked some that evening and at the end of the night, she signed the contract and we shot her wedding in November of 2010.  As I got to know Ashley more over time I found out she had a very close relationship with her grandmother.  A relationship that was very important to her.

As Ashley’s wedding day approached I found out that the chance of her grandmother making it to the wedding was very slim.  Seems her grandmother was not doing well and was in the hospital.  Well, the wedding day arrived and Ashley told me her grandmother would not be able to come. You could tell she was very sad and hurt, but she was going to go through with the wedding with a smile on her face.  As she was getting ready for her wedding, I was outside getting some shots of the church when out of the blue, here comes her grandmother in a wheelchair, with her hospital bracelet still on.  Well, before she saw Ashley, I went over to her and asked if she would want to say a few things to Ashley on her wedding day.  She got teared up and talked to Ashley through the camera for a couple of minutes and went on into the church.

The rest of the day went well and at the reception Ashley got to spend a few minutes with her grandmother.  Just before she took off for her Honeymoon, Ashley gave her grandmother one last hug and off she went on a week long honeymoon.  When she returned late the following Sunday night she was just too tired to go see her grandmother, so she planned to go the next afternoon.  Ashley’s grandmother passed away that Monday morning quietly in her sleep.

When it came time for me to deliver her finished wedding film, Ashley had no idea I had done that little interview with her grandmother.  As I sat and watched the film with them, when her grandmother came up on the screen and talked to Ashley, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Ashley came to me after that and told me that this was the most wonderful thing she ever got.  She has her grandmother with her now for the rest of her life.

So, is a wedding film really worth it?  Ask Ashley, I’m sure she’ll have an answer for you.

Ashley & David’s Wedding Trailer from Midnight Magic Studios on Vimeo.