Wedding Videos - Optional Extras

A few months ago I wrote about the different styles of wedding video out there. This time it's the turn of the optional extras offered by many wedding videographers. What's available will vary between companies, but will often include some or all of the following.

Guest Interviews

This is a very popular option that gives you and your guests the opportunity during the reception to say a few words for posterity. This can be done in a couple of ways. By setting up a room or an area with a chair or two and a video camera you can create a Big Brother style 'diary room', with guests filtering in a few at a time to speak to the camera. The alternative is for your videographer to go up to people throughout the reception and request that they say a few words.

The guests are all enjoying themselves and are usually happy just to say a few words to camera, and often there are a few guests who say lovely, moving things about you and your special day, offer advice for a long and happy married life, or just appreciate the opportunity to tell you how they feel about you.

Love Story Video

Like a pre-wedding photo shoot, this is a video filmed before the wedding. The two of you are filmed at home or at a place that means something to you, telling the story of your relationship. This can be shown at the reception or it can form part of a beautiful introduction to your wedding film. It's also a great way to get to know your videographer and ensures you'll feel really comfortable with them and their camera on the day.

Photo Montage

As the name suggests, this is essentially a slideshow of photos, usually set to music. Some couples like to use shots of each of them growing up to start the wedding video, or photos of them both throughout their relationship. Of course, with the permission of the wedding photographer, it could be a montage of your wedding photos, or, to finish the video, you might choose a collection of honeymoon photos.

Extended Highlights Version

Most videographers will provide you with a wedding video lasting between 60 and 90 minutes, and many will offer a brief 'highlight' reel of around 5 minutes, which is perfect for posting on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. I'm sure you'll love to watch the full length version over and over again, and pretty much anyone who knows you will enjoy the 5 minute version, but for friends and family who want to see more but don't have an hour and a half to spend, something in between might be nice. This is exactly why some videographers offer this option, of 'extended highlights'. Usually lasting around 30 minutes, this takes in all the key points, the vows, the kiss, cutting the cake, etc, picks the best bits of the speeches and dancing, and generally gives a really good impression of the day without overdoing the detail.

Are any of these options really necessary? No. If your budget is tight, use it to get the most coverage on the day from the best videographer you can find. However, if you have a little extra and you want something really special, these extras can definitely increase your enjoyment of the most precious DVD you'll ever own.

Article by Hertfordshire Wedding Videographer Jim Cliff

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