Freuqently Asked Questions

Q Can I have my favourite songs on the wedding video?

A Yes - subject to copyright license regulations.

Q Can you do slow motion on the video?

A Yes - This is primarily used on the confetti throwing.

Q Can I have copies of the wedding video?

A Yes - They cost $20.00 each on VHS and $30.00 on DVD

Q Why do I need a professional wedding video? or Why should I pay to
have a wedding video?

A These are two similar questions with the same answer. We often hear I don't want a wedding video or Uncle Harry is going to film the wedding with his camcorder.

Because we have been filming weddings for many years, and use professional equipment, we do not have to worry about batteries running out or have I got enough film or where do I stand? Filming a wedding for the first time is a very stressful event, and unlike filming other types of video it has to be right first time. You cannot say cut, can we do a re-take! Then there is the editing of the final video, we spend many hours selecting the best shots from the two camera tapes adding titles, music, slow motion and still frames, to produce the final edited master tape on our digital editing suite.

General Questions

Wedding Videography:

Q. When should I book with your wedding videography service?

A. We book up to 18 months in advance. We can book further into the future, but we prefer you come to us within 18 months of your wedding date, as unforeseen events may occur or plans change within longer periods of time. Six months to a year before the wedding is generally the best time frame within which to book a wedding videographer. Booking for weddings is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A non-refundable deposit amounting to 25% of the package you choose is required to reserve your wedding date.

Q. How is the video recorded at my wedding?

A. The video is recorded with professional mini-DV video cameras

Q. How is the audio recorded at my wedding?

A. Audio is recorded on mini-DV tape along with the video. We use two lapel microphones for the ceremony. One lapel is placed on the groom and the other on the pastor or in close proximity to the bride and groom.. Up to 4 line microphones are provided to record audio from singers, readers, live music, etc. On camera microphones (boom mics) are used for the reception. A wireless microphone is used to record best wishes from guests. All audio is taken into our cameras through professional XLR connections, to ensure the best quality of audio recording possible.

Q. What type of experience do your videographers have?

A. Our owner is also the head videographer at most weddings, and he oversees the other videographers at weddings. He has filmed many weddings - indoor and outdoor, morning and evening, formal and informal. Our associate videographers are trained by him. They spend a number of hours training with our cameras. Then they are required to assist at 3 weddings, where their role is mainly observational rather than technical. After that, they have to film 3 weddings under supervision, before they can film a wedding on their own.

Q. Does your staff have experience coordinating with photographers and DJs at wedding ceremonies?

A. Our employees are highly professional. We respect the fact that there are other professionals working on your wedding at the same time that we are. Therefore, we attempt to work cooperatively with your photographer, dj, and caterers/servers as much as possible. We make a point to attend your rehearsal when possible, to familiarize ourselves with the location setup and figure out how to best position ourselves without being obtrusive to you, your guests, or your other vendors. We also arrive 2 hours prior to filming on the day of the wedding (3 hours when distance or previous engagements prevent us from attending your rehearsal). This allows our videographers to set up and our team coordinator to meet with the other professionals working on your wedding (wedding coordinator, photographer, officiant, site manager, etc.).

Q. What is the normal attire of your employees while they are working at the wedding?

A. Our employees (men and women) normally wear slacks and button-down shirts/blouses or sweaters for informal weddings and morning weddings (which are considered less formal than afternoon or evening weddings). For formal afternoon and evening weddings, all employees are required to wear suits. (If you inform us that your morning wedding is very formal, our employees will wear suits.) For highly formal weddings, if the client furnishes them to us, our employees will wear tuxedos.

Q. How do you print on my wedding DVD?

A. Wedding DVDs are inkjet printed. Each disc receives a protective coating to prevent moisture, light and everyday handling damage.

Q. How do you print on my wedding DVD Insert?

A. All inserts are color laser jet printed.

General:

Q. How do I know if my player will play your DVD's?

A. We use high quality DVD+R's and authoring equipment to ensure the widest range of player compatibility. However, no DVD on the market today is 100% compatible with all players. First generation and generic DVD players are found to have the most significant compatibility issues with DVD+R's.

Video to DVD Conversion:

Q. Can you improve the picture quality of my video?

A. The source determines the overall quality of the video, but we can reduce the “noise” through video filters and improve picture color through color correction.

Q. Should I send a copy of my tape instead of the original?

A. No. The quality of the video and audio is best on the original tape that recorded the video. However, it is recommended that you make a copy of the original tape to keep for yourself, in case it were lost in transit to us, for example. If you cannot make a copy of the tape, be sure to send your tape through a reputable shipping service such as FedEx.

Q. How long does it take to get my DVD and my tape back, once my tape is received?

A. It takes 7 to 10 business days.

Q. What type of media do you accept for pictures?

A. We accept pictures on CD-R's. Please contact us prior to scanning your pictures for size, resolution, and format requirements.

Artical about choosing a Videographer

Why a Wedding Video?

Author: Dean Robinson

About the Author: Dean and his wife, Elaine, opened Elvensong Productions with the purpose of providing elegant, tasteful wedding and event videos at an affordable price. They have many example movie clips on their website at http://www.elvensong.com

Your wedding day. A day of love and laughter. You will spend many months planning and thousands of dollars to make this day a day to remember.

What better way to remember this magical day than to relive the moments through a movie. A wedding video captures the sights and sounds, the magic, the laughter, the music, the tears in a way that still photographs can’t. You have wisely chosen a professional to produce your wedding portraits and formals. It would also be wise to choose a professional to film and edit your wedding video production.

So how do you choose a video journalist or videographer? Here’s a few tips to help you hire the right company:

• Does the company use 3 chip cameras?

Most consumer camcorders are “single chip” cameras. A professional camera uses three chips. This means the images will be clearer, brighter, and the colors more vivid.

• Does the company use multiple cameras?

A professional videographer will normally utilize two or even three cameras at your wedding. This allows for a more professional looking video. Have you ever watched a wedding video from a single camera? It is very boring to watch because it is normally filmed from one location, usually from behind! A professional will use techniques such as capturing the bride walking down the aisle with one camera while another captures the groom watching her with that “look” in his eye.

• Does the company use wireless microphones?

A professional video journalist will use wireless microphones to capture the vows and the music at your ceremony. Consumer camera microphones will be too far away to be able to capture the audio of your ceremony and should be avoided. After all, if you want to remember this day, your vows, the music and the laughter are just as important as your gown and your cake.

• Does the company use a professional editing system (NLE)?

Most people do not have editing suites for producing films. They may have consumer level programs that allow them to edit but few people know how to use them and the consumer systems have limited features and usefulness. A professional will utilize the latest editing techniques and equipment to produce a polished film you will be proud to display for your family and friends.

• Does the company offer a free in-home consultation?

You should meet personally with your video journalist and ask to see samples of their work. Some companies now have example movie clips on their website. This allows you to narrow down your selection before scheduling a consultation. At your consultation, ASK QUESTIONS. Video Journalism is relatively new and most brides are not aware of the myriad of possibilities the professional videographer has to offer.

• What does the average wedding video cost?

A professionally produced video will range anywhere from $800 - 10,000 with the average being around $2000. This includes the wedding ceremony and the reception. Some brides balk at the cost but the average wedding video includes approximately 4 - 6 hours of filming using two camera persons. The video then is edited which on average can take around 30 – 40 hours. The film is then delivered on VHS and/or DVD. Normally there is a copy for the couple, one for the bride’s parents and one for the groom’s parents. So you can see the value is quite amazing.

I never thought of that!

When people think of wedding videos they normally think of the video Uncle Charlie shot at cousin Mary’s wedding. The professional video journalist can offer so much more.

For example a bride might have a short film shot of her at a special location in her wedding gown. She could have the film backed with her groom’s favorite music and have this short film projected at their reception as a surprise wedding day gift to her husband. The groom may choose to do this as well or they may choose to do so together.

Couples may opt to have a film of them giving a message of thanks to their family and friends that would be projected at their reception.

Couples might choose to have a “highlight film” on CD-ROM that can be used as gifts to friends and family who were unable to attend or as thank you gifts for the wedding party.

Some companies offer a personal website that contains photos and short movie clips. This is another great way to share your day with those who were unable to attend.

Another very popular option is having a photo montage projected at the reception. The couple supplies the videographer with childhood photos and dating era photos that are assembled and edited to music.

Some couples have stretched their imaginations and done short films in themes such as Star Wars, Gone With The Wind, Romeo and Juliet and had them projected for their guests entertainment at the reception.

The possibilities are endless!

Just do it!

You’ve planned every detail of this special day. What better way to remember than video! Imagine sharing not only your photos but the sights and sounds of your wedding day with your children or grandchildren! So choose your video production company carefully. It is a wise investment.