Much like it's often said a car is the second largest purchase, following a home, someone will make ...

1. Five Tips for Ordering Wedding Videography
Much like it's often said a car is the second largest purchase, following a home, someone will make
in their lifetime, your wedding day is one of the most important milestones to be celebrated. And
there's so much to get right...from the flowers to the dress and tuxedo fittings and everything in-
between, it's easy for the planning of this event to get somewhat bewildering. We're here to help
with that "in-between" part, which is unfortunately overlooked by many couples planning that
enchanting walk down the aisle: The videography service.
Still photography and videography are absolutely essential elements of a wedding celebration
because these are the approaches that capture the memories - how else are you going to look back
on that day in recollection and (hopefully) awe? Sure, the blushing bride-that-was can slip on that
dazzling dress to model again and see exactly which curves it hugs the best, or the gleeful groom
can attempt to do his best "007" impression in the tux that still hopefully fits, but it's really up to the
professional wedding videography to emotionally encapsulate one of the happiest days of people's
lives. How do we know this? Because Jacksonville wedding videography is a huge part of what we do
here at Jax Videography.
Firstly, finding a photographer or videographer that fits your needs and budget is no easy task. As
with all elements of your wedding, it takes a lot of work and planning and it shouldn't be left to "just
anyone." What's unfortunate, and what we can tell you we have seen time and time again, is that
many couples simply look only at the money - how little they can obtain a service for - while paying
little attention to the character or response of a videographer when an inquiry is made. Of course,
we understand that budget is budget and most always comes first on a priority list, but you'll never
really know what can be achieved if you simply reach out and randomly contact someone.
How do you choose the right videographer for your wedding...and what are some of the things you
should look for when considering a company for the job? From dual cameramen to proper audio
capture, we're going to offer some important tips when ordering wedding videography.
1. The Ever-Important Budget: Getting it Right

2. As we briefly touched on above, it is perhaps the question "How much should I spend?" that carries
the most weight when choosing wedding videography. The consideration of price has a lot to do with
what is included in packages that are offered, the hours provided and whether one or more DVDs
accompany the deal. Think carefully about how many hours you need - or would like to have - filmed;
some couples want to have everything captured from start to finish, but this requires going into
longer hours which, of course, means more money.
When looking at what's included in each videographer's package, couples tend to make the mistake
of thinking that videographers will only provide a DVD with one "highlights" trailer that appears
online, or oftentimes in their portfolio. But keep in mind that companies such as Jax Videography
have so much more to offer...elements that are designed to make remembering your wedding day an
even more unique experience.
While the lowest-priced packages generally only offer a certain amount of coverage and are tailored
towards "journalizing" the wedding experience as opposed to capturing special moments that tell a
compelling story, more bang-for-the-buck options are out there...this is why it's pivotal to remain in
constant contact with your videographer. If they care at all - like we do here at Jax Videography -
they will do their best to get to know you, because the more comfortable you both feel before the
wedding the easier it will be to film.
Jax Video Tip: It is worth asking if packages can be customized: Take into consideration, for
example, that perhaps you don't want your pre-ceremony prep work filmed and would rather put a
greater focus on the cocktail hour...or that you may want to add a Save-the-Date video or an
engagement video, taking off a couple of hours of the actual wedding footage. Customization can
make these fantasies a vivid reality.
2. Understand Why More Than One Camera is Best
Wedding videos fall under the umbrella of "event filming," and because these things likely only
happen once, it is the job of the videographer to get it shot right. Unfortunately, as we know, people
can't be in two places at once (unless they're a character that's part of the sometimes too-campy
comic book world) and that's why it's best to hire a company that boasts dual cameramen.
More cameras mean more coverage - which equates to more elaborate editing choices and
techniques. Two camera operators can be shooting in two different places without missing any of the
action on the dance floor, for example, so all those gyrating bodies in the skin-hugging sequin
dresses are captured on film from a variety of dramatic angles. Additionally, two cameras filming
your wedding also provides you more options when it gets to the editing stage - if you're dealing
with one camera's footage, the editor may find him or herself simply cutting out what they deem
"extra stuff." But with material from two cameras, an editor can cut to camera B while camera A gets
to its next shot. You may have noticed this technique when watching concert videos, as up to 10
cameras can be shooting an event such as that at once.
In the end, the decision from an editing standpoint changes from "What do we need to cut out?" to
"Which of these four great shots should we use?" It should be clear now why it's always better for a
wedding videographer to utilize more than one camera during the celebration.
3. Don't Underestimate the Importance of Audio Capture Quality

3. The audio accompanying wedding video is just as important as the images, whether you're getting
married in a church or outside in a backyard. While your guests are on pins and needles to see that
first kiss, a wedding ceremony devoid of clean, uncluttered audio equates to little more than a silent
film. An extra bit of attention to wedding audio should be well worth the effort to any videographer
you choose to capture your big day.
With the elaborate visual production styles that are all the rage on the wedding video circuit these
days, the wedding audio chops must keep pace; a simple microphone at the camera position won't
cut it anymore, we can tell you. With regard to both indoor and outdoor weddings, a videographer
needs to work with good gear - perhaps not something as advanced as a Lectrosonics D4 Digital
Wireless System, but enough to stay with the action and clearly capture every moment.
Let's get this out of the way right now: Cabled microphones can't be run for everything at the
wedding ceremony; there is just way too much movement at such an event, and cables are too easy
to trip over...especially with more than half of the guests probably already teetering on sky-high
stiletto heels. As such, a mobile audio solution is the answer, in the form of either a wireless
microphone or several, so it's vital to ensure the videography service you select has access to quality
mobile audio capturing devices such these.
Regardless of the type of wedding video you want to have created, there are several key moments in
an indoor or outdoor ceremony that need solid audio recording. Case in point: The minister, priest or
officiant delivers some pretty important dialog in every wedding ceremony...the couple has
rehearsed spoken vows...and there may be others who participate, such as parents, friends or
musicians. The only way to guarantee clean audio from each is to mic them all.
4. Direct Your Videographer
What do we mean by this? Well, immediately you say to yourself "But I'm no Steven Spielberg..."
That's okay - we have tons of experience filming weddings, but can honestly say every couple we've
worked with is indeed different...so don't hesitate to let your videographer in on your "vision." At any
point before the big day, feel free to email or call them with any notes or requests and approach
them anytime on the day of the wedding to let them know if there's something special you'd like
captured.
5. Order More Time Than You Think You Need
You will never regret having more video. As a general rule, order an extra hour just to be safe;
budget buyers tend to order coverage just up until the last major event (usually the bouquet/garter
toss) and if you need to save money, this is totally understandable. But after the blushing, giggling
bride has watched her lovely dress bunch up to reveal that lacy garter and her new husband
seductively tugs it down her thigh is when things get interesting - that's when there's no more
schedule, the elders are passed out and the DJ is just getting around to spinning the "good stuff."
You're going to want a videographer there for some of that, but more importantly, you'll want an
extra hour or so just in case things don't go as planned.

4. We can tell you from being involved with
countless weddings that it is not uncommon
for things to go late, wrong...or just nuts!
Hopefully, these five wedding videography
tips will help you choose the best coverage
for your wedding. If you need additional
advice on coverage that's personalized for
YOUR event, feel free to contact us, the
wedding videography Jacksonville
trusts...and remember: Engage and direct
your videographer so the important details
are captured...they are there for you, after all.