Have you ever heard the statement – “we weren’t going to get a video…”?  Well, we have heard it plenty and often think that it’s because video in the wedding world is completely misunderstood.

Let’s start with the concept of editing. Many think that editing means adding some cheesy transitions and deleting a bunch of clips from the movie.  Of course, we are here to tell you that there’s a LOT more to editing than adding transitions! In fact, transitions (whether they are cheesy or not) is the least of a real editor’s worries.  Unfortunately, many low-end video companies have focused on this aspect because it’s the quickest and easiest thing they can do – there is no creativity here and certainly no thoughtfulness involved.

In reality, editing is really about deciding what needs to be fixed and how, what camera has the best or most creative shot, how to balance the sound, and it’s about composition – much like writing a story.  Editing is about creating and showing the setting, the details, the people, and the behind the scenes story.  The story in the video should be comprehensive and alive and it should show the magic of the day’s events! It should capture the flavor and the theme of the day, the colors, the action, and the people. Yes, we want to see as many people in the video as possible – after all, those are your closest friends and family, right?

Finally, let’s realize that video is also about the sound, the speeches, and the music! Often, the sound in a movie is overlooked precisely because it is so intertwined in the story that it is not fully realized.  Similarly, in a well edited wedding video, understand that a huge part of its’ emotional power and contribution to your experience (after the wedding) has to do with the sights and sounds of your day!  And for editors, the sounds of the day can be used like a vehicle – a transition from one scene to the next – that’s where real editing comes into play.  The sounds of the day could be the string quartet that’s playing before the ceremony, or the soft whispers of the bride and groom during the vows, or the toasts of the best man and maid of honor. And yes, the sound also includes the music of the band or the DJ or the unexpected song at the reception.  In editing, a majority of our work ultimately has to do with sound – making sure that the voices are loud enough, eliminating background noise, balancing the volume of the dance music, and even adding sound and music throughout the movie to tie scenes together.

It’s no wonder then that we view TV and movies more than any other medium. We are already accustomed to seeing and hearing things in video and movies which actually makes you the expert when it comes knowing how to choose a video company!  In fact, our readers are already the experts in video because they already know what they like, dislike, and what it should look like on the big screen!

So why do people wonder about getting a video of their wedding? Honestly we really don’t know, since it seems so obvious that video, done well, can capture so much more than just the visuals. In fact, we are all so accustomed to video already that it would seem like the priority instead of the last minute addition, right?

Therefore, when you ask yourself that question “why get a video,” perhaps your answer is  – so I can hear the toasts, so I can hear my band or DJ, and so I can hear my vows again – and better yet, so your entire family can hear all those moments again and relive one of the best days of your life!